Blog is in hibernation mode

Please go to www.freetaste.blogspot.com instead!  See you there.

Myanmar moments

Risking his security, and to some extent, his life, this LA Times undercover reporter, quite literally at that, shares what he saw in far-flung villages ravaged by a typhoon.

Green consumerism

Is it an oxymoron? The Economist maps the greenest cities in California based on their 'green consumption' and explain how they evolve as so. Is a strong consumer of green goods any greener than your regular consumer who does his grocery in a discount supermarket?

The Devil Shift

My seatmate, Wilhelm, from Tanzania, suggested a few minutes ago (I am blogging while in class) to use one of the term 'Devil Shift' as a possible entry in my blog. This is probably one of the few terms I will remember in my current module on Environmental Policy and Management. The term doesn't mean the coming of the devil, because it is already within our midst! It means portraying your enemy more powerful and horrible as they are or they might be. A good example is telling your mother that your playmate pushed you that caused you a nasty bruise on your knee, when the problem is you are simply a weakling!

Politicians and interest groups use this to gain support from and influence behaviors of analysts and undermine objectivity of analysis, and consequently results. Environment groups could exaggerate how industries destroy the environment. But then again, probably not.

Peeping at the pandas

Other than the reason of their cuteness, the panda would have been extinct by now. It can't even reproduce on its own. BBC reports their findings on the bears' intimate moments.

"The giant panda's courtship and mating sequence - from boisterous beginning to noisy ending - has been filmed in the wild for what may be a TV first."

Evening of biodiversity

We held our 'evening of biodiversity' last night. Our little program featured some bits of the dance we will be performing in Bonn, the presentation of the statement we have crafted, and a long night of feasting and drinking. The Environment Minister of the Bavarian State graced our event, together with the Director of the Bavarian Forest National Park, and other locals. We handed them out 'ecological footprint' plaques for souvenirs.

Today is our last day here in the Bavarian Forest. We are going to the dance studio in a little while for our last rehearsal here in Bavaria. Tomorrow we will head off to Bonn.

Taking shape

We spent our day yesterday to shape things up- for our dance lessons and statement the UN Convention on Biodiversity. In the evening, some went for torch-lit hiking while the rest chose to stay cozy and warm by playing music.

Today will be another long day of dancing and statement-polishing!