Newsletter articles

DTE's quarterly newsletter provides information on ecological justice in Indonesia.

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The Bahasa Indonesia list offers links to selected articles from each newsletter issue.

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DTE publications

Protect adat rights to reduce deforestation

Down to Earth No.79, November 2008

Data accuracy, availability and transparency, plus protection of indigenous peoples' rights are needed to tackle Indonesia's high rate of deforestation and forest degradation.

Indigenous community rejects Lembata mine

Down to Earth No.79, November 2008

In May this year, DTE reported local community opposition to a proposed gold and copper mine on Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara province.

BHP Billiton pulls out of Gag nickel project, West Papua

Down to Earth No.79, November 2008

Following years of opposition from environmental and human rights groups, BHP Billiton has decided not to go ahead with a proposed nickel mining project on Gag Island, West Papua. BHP Billiton has reportedly invested US$75 million in developing this project over the last decade or more.

The decision to pull out of the Gag Island nickel project follows closely two company annual general meetings in the UK and Australia.

The pressure for REDD

Down to Earth No.79, November 2008

International pressure to get pilot schemes for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD) up and running between now and the Copenhagen climate summit in 2009 could mean that crucial issues - including land and resource rights in forests - are sidestepped.

Why the pressure for REDD? Land use change and forestry are estimated to account for around 20% of annual carbon emissions, second only to the energy sector.

Women and climate change

Down to Earth No.79, November 2008

The third global congress of Women in Politics and Governance took place in Manila in the Philippines from 19 - 22nd October 2008. Its theme was 'Gender in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction'. DTE was able to take part, thanks to a grant from CAFOD. This article summarises the key issues.

Climate change is part of a chain reaction of damage to natural resources and the environment.

Palm oil sector no longer 'the golden crop'

Down to Earth No.79, November 2008

Indonesian organisations have circulated the following information about the impact of the global credit crunch and falling palm oil prices on peasant farmers in the province Jambi, Sumatra. Translation from the Indonesian by DTE.

Since palm oil became 'the golden crop' around the year 2000, the European market for this commodity has grown year on year, not only to satisfy demand from the food and cosmetics industries, but also as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels.

DTE newsletter 78 - August 2008 - full edition for download

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