In 1914, the explorer Ernest Shackleton set out to explore Antarctica on foot. Comparing pictures of his voyage with the situation there now reveals the scale of changes. "Of all the places affected by global warming, Antarctica seems to be experiencing the most dramatic climate change. The landscape has been transformed, leaving animals struggling to adapt. “On really hot days, penguins are gasping for air”, states Antarctic historian Dave Burkitt. Nearly 90% of glaciers here are retreating and ice shelves are collapsing at an alarming rate. With less ice available, seals have moved inland, where they disrupt nesting birds and damage plants. “The continent warming opens up the door to the introduction of many species”, explains biologist Gary Miller. “That’s our immediate concern.”" Soon you can find out more about these issues and TAKE ACTION at CALL2ACTION.COM

In the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, one of the most popular children’s games is ‘Funerals’. Here, one in five children is an AIDS orphan. They live alone or in orphanages, forced to grow up before their time. This unique and uplifting film follows a project aimed at giving these kids back their childhood. It chronicles their experiences as they come together to record a CD. The plan throws together boys and girls from different backgrounds, confronting stereotypes and allowing them to get to know each other. And what starts out as a community project soon becomes a voyage of self-discovery for all the children involved. Soon you can find out more about these issues and TAKE ACTION at CALL2ACTION.COM

The dalits are IndiaÌs outcasts, condemned from birth by a rigid caste system. They live in constant fear of arson, beatings and worse inflicted on them by social superiors desperate to protect their caste privileges. These are the poorest of IndiaÌs poor. The untouchables. Pawns in a power struggle being waged in IndiaÌs Hindu heartland. Poverty stricken, powerless, and under attack from every quarter, many dalits are turning to Communist guerrillas for help. But the battles are only getting bloodier.

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Every year, 35 million tonnes of electronic waste is exported to China to be scrapped. There the rubbish is broken down by hand, poisoning workers and polluting the environment.

ÏSmoke from the computers is too strong to breatheÓ, complains one disposal worker. ÏI feel dizzy and canÌt see any moreÓ. Many employees at the electronic disposal plant suffer from respiratory illness or skin diseases. They work for ten hours a day, with no protection from the hazardous chemicals.

MBC

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"Having emptied the European seas of fish, industrial fishing trawlers are now targeting Africa. But in places like Senegal, where the sea is the nationÌs main resource, the EUÌs fishing policies are devastating the country. Unable to compete with this ÎEuropean InvasionÌ, Senegalese fishermen are being driven out of business. This expertly crafted film examines the scale of the problem.

Again and again, Amadi casts his fishing net into the sea, only to pull it back empty. ÏSometimes weÌre out for days before we find any fishÓ, he laments. ÏItÌs a real disaster!Ó He blames the EU trawlers for Ïinvading us and taking away our fishÓ. As the seas empty, fishermen like him are forced to risk their lives going further and further into deeper water search of fish. ÏWe mustnÌt be afraid of deathÓ, he states.

At the fish processing plant in Kayar, the scale of the industryÌs collapse is apparent. ÏAll the big, high quality fish are now goneÓ, complains one worker. ÏWe did rituals to bring the fish back but it was no goodÓ. Some species of fish have disappeared entirely from this region. ÏI donÌt think anybody really knows if those species will come back, even with good managementÓ, states Paul Siegel from WWF Africa.

The EUÌs agreement with Senegal allows European commercial fishing trawlers to fish in Senegalese waters. These industrial vessels, equipped with sonar radars; Ïcan now see any fish at any level in the water column. There is nowhere to hideÓ. Even manufacturers agree their vessels; Ïcontribute to the destruction of the seabedÓ. But with demand for fish growing; Ïa fisherman who doesnÌt keep up with modern methods is a fisherman without a future!Ó

ÏWhy West African countries concluded these fishing agreements at extreme disadvantage to themselves is a matter for some speculationÓ, states journalist Charles Clover. ÏI would be very surprised if some form of corruption was not involvedÓ. Union representative Amadou Wade is still bitter about the way the agreement was negotiated. ÏWe went to Brussels and had eight rounds of talksÓ, he recalls. But when it came to the ninth round, ÏWe werenÌt even invited. None of us knew anything about it.Ó They heard on the radio; Ïthe negotiations were over and the agreement had been signed!Ó

ItÌs believed that 50% of SenegalÌs fish is now caught by industrial trawlers and shipped straight to Europe. ÏThe remaining 50% has to provide a living for 600,000 people!Ó, states environmentalist Haidar El Ali. While the Europeans pinpoint the fish with their radars, the Senegalese; Ïfish at night because the moonlight reflects on the fish scalesÓ. They also rely on superstition. ÏI put some powder and roots in the Îgri griÌ and give it to the fishermenÓ, states a village spiritual leader. ÏIt allows them to see the fish and protects them from accidentsÓ.

ItÌs estimated that within 10 years, there will be no more fish in the water of Senegal. ÏThe last resource of people in Senegal is the sea. We are increasing pressure on that last resource at a time when it is declining and the population is growingÓ, states Charles Clover. ÏWe need to start putting this right very soon otherwise Europe will be seen to be responsible for a gigantic human tragedyÓ.

Cafi Mohamud

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ItÌs become a nightmarish vision of the ultimate failed state. In Iraq, death squads wage sectarian war protected by their police uniforms. Government ministries use private militias to abduct each othersÌ supporters. And while the State descends into anarchy, a terrorised population is left to fend for itself. To what extent was this chaos fomented by US military strategists? This powerful investigation reveals the real story behind the endless stream of bloody statistics.

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Palm oil, used to produce biofuel, is being billed as a sustainable solution to the worldÌs energy problems. According to an EU directive, by 2030 all petrol must contain at least 20% biofuel. But does palm oil deserve its ÎgreenÌ reputation? What are the human and environmental costs of the explosion in palm oil plantations? This weekÌs documentary investigates how palm oil cultivation is contributing to global warming. It reveals how indigenous tribes are being forced from their land, rivers and water supplies polluted and rainforests destroyed by a rapacious palm oil industry.

ÏStop chopping down our forest. We canÌt allow them to cut another treeÓ, laments Din Perulak, head of the Orang Rimba tribe. ÏThe forest which sustained us has completely disappeared.Ó Every day, thousands of hectares of rainforest in Sumatra are cleared to make way for palm oil plantations. International investors plan on turning an area the size of the United Kingdom into palm oil monocultures. ÏIt pains us to watch how the forests are being destroyed foreverÓ, states Din Perulak.

For the Organ Rimba people, the loss of the rainforest doesnÌt simply mean an end to their traditional way of life. The forest is sacred to them and they firmly believe they are predestined to care for it. ÏItÌs as if our mother is dyingÓ. Now, with no forest to sustain them, Din Perolak and his clan are forced to beg food from local farmers. The palm oil boom has robbed them of their dignity and the basis of their livelihood.

The quickest way to claim forests for plantations is by slash and burn. ÏYes, in Indonesia the forest is burningÓ, admits Daud Dharsono, deputy director of palm oil producer Sinar Mas. This method of clearing releases billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Once the trees are gone, the damp peat of the forest floor is exposed to the sun, releasing yet more carbon dioxide. Indonesia is now the worldÌs third largest producer of greenhouse gases.

The destruction of the rainforests is an environmental disaster that scientists believe is irreversible. But itÌs not the only environmental problem caused by palm oil monocultures. Phosphates from fertilisers leach into rivers and lakes, polluting the water supply and making it impossible to grow anything else. Endangered animals like orang-utans are losing their last remaining habitats. And toxic pesticides used on the plantations have been linked with the deaths of a million people worldwide.

Many monocultures are planted on land stolen from local people. IÌm furious. These palm oils are on my land but I donÌt get anything from the harvestÓ, complains one farmer. ÏThey simply came and took our woodlands away from usÓ. This is confirmed by the deputy mayor of Sarolongun. ÏThese land conflicts are due to the way the investors operate.Ó In a landmark ruling, Sinar Mas, was forced by the government to return stolen land. But it is now attempting to force farmers to pay for the palm oil plantations illegally cultivated on their land.

But victories against the industry are rare. When forest is converted to plantations; Ïthe local population doesnÌt benefit at allÓ, complains Din Perulak. Some people get a few weeks work planting the monocultures. Then the work dries up and all thatÌs left is a huge palm tree desert. A dead forest without animals or people.

For the foreign investors, backed by EU subsidies, thereÌs a fortune to be made from this green gold. ItÌs the people of Sumatra who stand to lose everything.

ALTEMEIER & HORNUNG FILMPRODUKTION

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Over 100 people were crammed in with him on the 30 foot boat. Denied food or water for the three day journey and without even room to move, they became ill and dehydrated. The traffickers kept them under control by regularly beatings and throw anyone overboard who complains. When they approach the shore, the refugees are forced to jump into the sea and swim to shore. Many can't swim or are so exhausted they drown. It's estimated that 40% of those who attempt the journey never make it. This is their story.

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