Gaia Evening: The Scramble for Agrofuels in Africa

Investors are looking to Africa to find land for agrofuel (biofuel) plantations. But the agrofuels push is not the “carbon neutral” solution it claims to be, and is likely to exacerbate Africa’s climate and food insecurity problems.

Join us for a special evening to hear from three African activists - Bakari Nyari (RAINS, Ghana), Million Belay (Melca Mahiber, Ethiopia) and Zachary Makanya (PELUM, Kenya) - who have been witnessing the agrofuel scramble and uncovering the real stories of deforestation, farmer evictions, land grabbing and rising food prices. More detail.

Tuesday 13th May, 6.30pm. Book online, or contact Sarah on tel. 0207 428 0055 to reserve a place.

Biofuel Land Grabbing - Ghana

A revealing account of corruption and lies in the rush for biofuel plantations. Bakari Nyari reports from the mid-Volta River basin, Ghana, where a local village has battled to save their land from plans by a Norwegian company to develop "the largest jatropha plantation in the world".

"Biofuel Land Grabbing in Northern Ghana" documents steps taken by the Regional Advisory and Information Network Systems (RAINS), Ghana, to alert the Chief and villagers to the land grabbing and other threats from such a massive biofuel plantation. Essential lessons are highlighted for communities in Africa and elsewhere.

For more information, "Agrofuels in Africa - the impacts on land, food and forests" (full version -1.8mb, or low graphics -600kb) presents case studies from Benin, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia on how over to agrofuel developments are privatising customary land, evicting farmers, raising food prices and competing for precious water sources. Produced by the African Biodiversity Network,

Sign up to the African Call for a Moratorium on Agrofuels in Africa.

African Biodiversity Newsletter - April 2008

The African Biodiversity Network is an informal network created to pioneer African-centred solutions to sustainable livelihoods, protection of biodiversity and recognition of community rights. The latest newsletter takes a look at what motivates ABN members in different African countries to "fight injustices' and empower local communities.

Interviews with leading activists, and feedback from ABN activities such as a recent aexchange between elders from South Africa and Kenya to share their knowledge on sacred natural sites. Download the ABN newsletter here, or visit the ABN website for more information.

Climate-Biodiversity-Livelihoods featured in Resurgence

Gaia has teamed up with Resurgence Magazine to produce a special feature on Climate-Biodiversity-Livelihoods. Visionary thinkers from all over the world call for a more profound response to climate change. A 12-point action plan shows how to integrate biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods into climate strategies.

View the special feature in this March/April edition of Resurgence. Order a copy online or subscribe now.

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Gaia Learning Centre

2008 Programme of Events.

Gaia offers a range of workshops to inspire and strengthen our relationship with the natural world and influence the choices we make in our daily lives.

International speakers explore and promote the ideas of ‘Earth Ethics’ and draw lively debate at our Gaia evenings.

Earth Ethics Series

Summaries from recent Gaia Evenings.

Restoring the Mythological Paradigm - by Jules Cashford

The Colombian Amazon: An Indigenous Peoples' Journey - by Dr. Martín von Hildebrand

Changing America's Environmental Laws - by Andrew Kimbrell.

Science's Changing Myth - by Prof. Brian Goodwin.

Countdown: Life on a Hotter Planet - by Mark Lynas.

A New Relationship with the Living Earth - by Dr. Rupert Sheldrake.

Get Involved

Need some tips for living lightly on the Earth? Gaia has ideas on how to Get Involved and make a difference.

Other events and links to inspire you:

Earth is Community - DVDs
For anyone who was not able to make our Earth is Community event, celebrating the vision and path of Thomas Berry. A set of DVDs with the main presentations, now available.

The most terrifying video - one of a series of short, funny video-clips on YouTube to convince even hardened sceptics about climate change.

Earth Community Network

Schumacher College and Bija Vidyapeeth offer residential courses on Earth democracy and sustainable living. Visit the Earth Community Network for more opportunities in experiential learning - in Brazil, Kenya, India, UK.