The Spanish film star Antonio Banderas and his wife Melanie Griffith have been ordered by planning chiefs to hand over part of their beachfront property on the Costa del Sol as part of a draconian campaign against 'illegally' built properties. According to reports in Spain, the 48-year-old actor and his American wife, the Hollywood star Melanie Griffith, 51, have been told part of the gardens at their £5 million mansion near Marbella is to be made public land. Over 14,000 square feet of land belonging to the couple will be seized to allow public access to the beach. The confiscated strip lies adjacent to the 40 ft swimming pool at the villa, named La Gaviota, which the Hollywood pair have used as their summer home for more than a decade.
According to reports in Spain, the 48-year-old actor and his American wife, the Hollywood star Melanie Griffith, 51, have been told part of the gardens at their £5 million mansion near Marbella is to be made public land.
Over 14,000 square feet of land belonging to the couple will be seized to allow public access to the beach. The confiscated strip lies adjacent to the 40 ft swimming pool at the villa, named La Gaviota, which the Hollywood pair have used as their summer home for more than a decade.
LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- Portugal announced a plan Monday to install about 1,300 recharging sites for electric vehicles over the next two years, part of an effort to create a mass market for environmentally friendly electric cars expected to go on sale next year. The center-left Socialist government is aiming to reduce energy imports and emissions. Having no oil or coal, Portugal has long imported most of its energy. However, in recent years it has become a European pioneer in the development of clean energy. The government claims renewable sources can already meet 43 percent of the country's electricity needs. The first phase of deployment will include recharging sites in 21 cities and rural districts chosen for their high population density and traffic volume, the Economy and Innovation Ministry said in a statement.
The German city of Bonn lost out to Abu Dhabi in a bid to host the International Renewable Energy Agency. But the former German capital was given a consolation prize: an innovation and technology center. The capital of the United Arab Emirates beat Bonn and Vienna when representatives from 129 countries met in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to decide where the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) would be based. Despite hoping the agency would have its headquarters in the former German capital, Germany's Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel welcomed what he called a "fair and appropriate compromise." Members of the agency decided to place an innovation and technology center in Bonn, the Austrian city of Vienna will be home to an office dedicated to liaising with the United Nations and other international institutions.
The capital of the United Arab Emirates beat Bonn and Vienna when representatives from 129 countries met in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to decide where the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) would be based.
Despite hoping the agency would have its headquarters in the former German capital, Germany's Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel welcomed what he called a "fair and appropriate compromise."
Members of the agency decided to place an innovation and technology center in Bonn, the Austrian city of Vienna will be home to an office dedicated to liaising with the United Nations and other international institutions.
Former pro basketball player Will Allen, who is considered to be one of the nation's leading urban farmers and founder of Growing Power Inc., estimates that there are hundreds of thousands of urban gardens in inner cities across America. Urban farms help feed people, sustain neighorhoods » "It's beyond a movement at this point. Its more like a revolution," says Allen. Both Allen and Myers agree that the boom in urban farming for African-Americans is born out of necessity and not just echoing traditions. "Minority people are affected by poor food, more than any other groups," and many inner cities lack access to quality fruits and vegetables, Allen says. "Our food system is broken." "When you're poor, when you don't have access to resources, you have to create your own," says Myers. "So this is a way for people of African descent to use their creativity to grow their own food."
"It's beyond a movement at this point. Its more like a revolution," says Allen.
Both Allen and Myers agree that the boom in urban farming for African-Americans is born out of necessity and not just echoing traditions.
"Minority people are affected by poor food, more than any other groups," and many inner cities lack access to quality fruits and vegetables, Allen says. "Our food system is broken."
"When you're poor, when you don't have access to resources, you have to create your own," says Myers. "So this is a way for people of African descent to use their creativity to grow their own food."
Heartwarming... You can't be me, I'm taken
One of the other positive repercussions of the urban agriculture movement in the US [and elsewhere] is that it's reducing crime rates. Growing one's own food is an empowering thing to do; therapeutic, as well.
For any interested, here is an impassioned, 18 minute talk about urban agriculture, presented by a student at the University of British Columbia. Good web site at the link, also: cityfarmer.info.
Google search results for video clips about Will Allen's Growing Power initiative. Anyone planning to build an urban farm would do well to study his installation for its compactness and functionality. .
