Debut of New Environmental Web Site, www.ActGlobal.org

The site features in-depth background information, analysis, projects and case studies, interactive maps, and statistics on a range of environmental and social issues. Topics include: threats to forests and indigenous peoples; the destruction of waterways and lands caused by dam projects; and the role of the World Bank and other international financial institutions in promoting pipelines, dams and other projects that jeopardize the health and welfare of people and the environment.

ActGlobal also includes an effective, easy-to-use, multilingual “action” component that alerts users to pressing environmental issues across the globe and allows them to send timely e-mail alerts to organizations and governments urging reform. By merging expert information with activism, ActGlobal is a powerful tool for change. Among the site’s many features:

International Action Center enables activists to send e-mail alerts to policymakers around the globe, customizable in English, French, Spanish and Bahasa Indonesia. [Current alerts target The World Bank on market-based land reforms and the World Commission on Dams.]

Follow the Money features in-depth explorations of multilateral and bilateral financial institutions and export credit agencies, and their support of environmentally damaging projects in developing countries; includes data on damaging infrastructure (such as dams, oil pipelines and waste treatment plants).

Natural Resources covers issues affecting freshwater, forests and population/resource consumption, such as deforestation; human impacts on biodiversity; industrialization’s effects on indigenous populations; dams and water consumption; and the health of ecosystems and waterways.

Searchable GIS map index showing deforestation rates, and effects of infrastructure on forests.

Country index for finding information on case studies, resources, and articles by Environmental Defense staffers and others.

Fast Facts on projects and international financial institutions.

Major funding for ActGlobal has been provided in part by the Sapling Foundation and other donors.

NOTE:  The www.actglobal.org web site was shut down in 2003. Many of the features of Act Global now may be found on environmentaldefense.org, including resources on multilateral development banks and export credit agencies, and issues relating to forests and indigenous peoples. For articles and resources pertaining to specific countries, use Environmental Defense’s Advanced Search page.