A year of pomp and ceremony marked 2012’s celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Independence for Trinidad and Tobago. Fatima Siwaju, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Chaguanas in Trinidad and Tobago, has her own favourite reasons to celebrate the twin island republic and its unique nature. Fanfare, pomp and ceremony throughout the country marked the …

“Fab facts that make Trinidad and Tobago so unique” Read More »

A proposed coal-based power plant could answer the demand for electricity, writes Mehzabin Ahmed, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, but there is already opposition to the cost it will impose on the environment and local livelihood. Sunderbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, extends across India and Bangladesh. Known for its wide range …

“We need electricity, but not at this price" Read More »

India’s villages are places of tradition, far from the cars and air conditioning of city life, writes Mridul Upadhyay, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi, India. But he argues that villagers suffer inordinately from the effects of climate-changing urban pollution. What a surprise!  Some live with such a busy schedule that they don’t find …

“Indian villagers are deeply affected by pollution” Read More »

Many across India and Bangladesh were affected as the Teesta river swelled above the danger level. However, dry seasons downstream tell a different tale as man-made obstacles stem the flow of the once-mighty river, writes Mehzabin Ahmed, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Teesta, a river that used to hold water throughout the …

"Let the Teesta flow its natural course" Read More »

Coral reefs are known for their exotic colour but adverse ocean conditions are bleaching the coral, writes Janine Wan, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent based in Melbourne, Australia. She explains that the damage is far-reaching. Coral Bleaching is the phenomenon of corals losing their colour, usually caused by a drastic change in the reef environment. This issue …

“Coral Bleaching – a danger sign for ocean health” Read More »

Few of Pakistan’s urban dwellers are aware of the connection between the nation’s extensive mountain ranges and the environment, writes Faheem Bin Tariq, a Correspondent from Karachi, Pakistan, but a dedicated network of youth is putting mountain conservation and education on the agenda. In Pakistan, we find huge mountain ranges in the Northern and North-Western …

"Environmental challenges originate in the mountains" Read More »

Cameroon’s ban on plastic bags echoes an environmental initiative others have imposed, writes Alphonse Akouyu, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda, Cameroon, but the controversial move caught retailers and consumers unprepared.  Midnight April 24th was the dead line given by the Cameroon government as the day the country’s last stock of non bio-degradable papers, especially plastic …

"Cameroon bans non bio-degradable papers" Read More »

Sri Lankans are embracing World Environment Day as part of their crowded calendar of special events, says Indooshan Shanthakumaran, 25, a Correspondent from Colombo in Sri Lanka, but while the growing environmental awareness is an encouraging first step much work remains to be done. Sri Lanka is a land where people have so many religious …

"World Environment Day raises awareness in Sri Lanka" Read More »

Climate change has been regarded as an environmental or business  issue, but Naman Sanghvi, 23, a Correspondent from India, argues that viewing it as an ethical issue changes the imperative for action. Can we evoke greater motivation among negotiators if climate change were to be treated as an ethical problem and not simply a leash on …

"Can we treat climate change as an ethical problem?" Read More »

Humans have treaded the earth from time immemorial and the story of mankind has been one of innumerable highs and steadfast progress, writes Harmanan Singh, 17, a Correspondent from Mumbai in India. Sheer grit and scientific temper make us wonder, “What lies ahead”? Future cities may take calculated measures to reach the pinnacle of glory and …

"The Danish diaries – my Scandanavian trip" Read More »