ContentsNewInternationalistAPRILIssue431

The extraordinary destructiveness of the tar sands is further proof – if any were needed – that we have to move away from our reliance on oil. But like it or not, that’s a big ask.

Here at the New Internationalist Co-operative we try to put our principles into practice. So over the last few weeks we have been putting together a travel policy that, as one of its explicit aims, is intended to reduce the amount of f lights we take as an organization.

It’s controversial. Most people in our workers’ co-op support, in theory, a cap on the number of f lights we take collectively over the year. But how do we decide?

Should we ban f lights to places in Europe, even if it takes more than a day to get there by train? Is it more important for an editor to f ly to somewhere like Iraq or the Arctic for on-theground reporting, or for a member of staff from our Canadian, Australian or New Zealand/Aotearoa offices to come over to Oxford for face-to-face meetings, ensuring close, effective working relationships? Are we fetishizing f lying when actually we only take an average of seven f lights a year, which is already much lower than most similar operations? Are we risking losing touch with the world on which we report if we reduce the amount of time we spend out of the office?

As we continue to tie ourselves in ethical knots, we would be interested to know what you think – and especially if your organization has attempted something similar.

Jess Worth for the

New Internationalist Co-operative main Feature Tar Sands

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Escape from Mordor

Leading Canadian activist Maude Barlow explains how trade agreements are driving the death of nature.

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‘I’ll die doing this’

Zoe Cormier meets two indigenous people for whom this fight couldn’t be more personal.

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Rock that burns

There are tar sands deposits all over the world. Mika Minio-Paluello visits two of them.

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Everyone’s downstream

From banks to pipeline routes, refineries to courthouses, meet the activists and communities at the frontline of resistance.

Taking on Tarmageddon

The international campaign to shut down the tar sands is shaping up to be an iconic battle, reports Jess Worth.

Canada’s curse

Vast reserves of the black stuff are bringing the country nothing but trouble, argues Andrew Nikiforuk.

J o c e l y nE d w a r d sReuters

20 Take action Simple things you can do NOW, and a directory of films, books and organizations.

Feature articles 21

Ethiopia’s endangered democracy

With elections fast approaching, Nick Hunt exposes how Meles Zenawi’s Government has turned its back on its people.

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The fall of King Tuna

The fate of our favourite fish hangs in the balance. Sara Holden and Greg McNevin explain what needs to be done to give it, and countless other ocean dwellers, a fighting chance.

Regular Features 2

Letters

The great population debate continues; and facing up to racism in our own communities. 3

Letter from Cairo

Maria Golia feels she’s getting old, while the city around her is ‘getting new’.

30 Currents Difficult times in post-coup Honduras; India says no to GM aubergines; and fighting for gay rights in homophobic Uganda.

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Only Planet

Gort and Klaatu are unimpressed with their human fix in Marc Roberts’ cartoon. 33

Big Bad World

Conspiracy theories in Polyp’s cartoon. PLUS: NI Prize Crossword. 34

Mixed Media

A surprisingly uplifting Argentinean prison drama; getting jiggy with Carolina Chocolate Drops; and Wade Davis tells us why ancient wisdom still matters. 36

Country profile: Tunisia

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A soldier’s story

Gopal Mitra experienced the violence and tragedy of Kashmir firsthand, but is hopeful of a peaceful future, as Jeremy Seabrook discovers.

Front cover image: Daniel Sliwka and Suzanne Dhaliwal. Magazine design: Alan Hughes. All monetary values are expressed in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

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