World Rivers Blog
Blogs are the best way to stay up to date on the work we and our partners are doing to protect rivers and human rights. Check out our blogs below for more information. Even better, add our blogs to your RSS feed, and never miss the latest news.
Want to write a guest blog for us? Contact Kate Ross.
Want to read even more blogs? Visit our blogger archive to find posts by former International Rivers bloggers.
Southeast Asia Policy Coordinator
The Mekong Feeds Millions
Human rights and the environment are closely linked. My work focuses on the ways that the people of Southeast Asia depend on healthy rivers, and the legal rights that exist to protect them.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Malaysia: Authoritarian Leader Lures Investors With Promise of “Responsible” Dams - May 16, 2013
- Xayaburi Dam: How Laos Violated the 1995 Mekong Agreement - January 13, 2013
- Should We Worry About Xayaburi Dam Safety? - December 4, 2012
- Xayaburi Dam: A Closer Look at How Laos Got to “Go” - November 13, 2012
- Days After Xayaburi Gets Green Light, Pöyry Flaunts Project's Corruption - November 11, 2012
Executive Director
Rivers at the Confluence
Before joining International Rivers in 2011, Mr. Rainey served as Executive Director of the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in northern California from 2005-2011, where he built a grassroots...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Gathering along the Upper Tigris River - May 14, 2013
- Returning to the Zambezi After 20 Years - April 8, 2013
- Creatively and Effectively Protecting Rivers and Rights - February 27, 2013
- A Tribute to Rebecca Tarbotton – A leader of RAN, International Rivers and a Generation - January 4, 2013
- Reflecting on a Story of Success in 2012 - November 13, 2012
Director of Community Engagement
Supporting the Movement
Supporters of our movement for healthy rivers and human rights come from all over. No matter how you're engaged with International Rivers – from signing petitions and participating in...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Won't you Rendezvous? - May 14, 2013
- Rendezvous with Our Bay Area Community - August 17, 2012
- Innovative Partnerships for the Movement - July 17, 2012
Community Engagement Manager
Words are Powerful Creatures
A strong movement of people working to create a world with healthy rivers, biodiverse ecosystems and vibrant communities is the only way to create the future we want. Please add your voice.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Update from the Amazon: the Struggle Continues - May 13, 2013
- Update From the Amazon: Dam Workers In Solidarity With Protestors - May 8, 2013
- Images from the Amazon at the Belo Monte Protest - May 3, 2013
- Lessons from the Goldman Prize Winners - April 17, 2013
- A Coffeeshop Meeting with Bernardo Reyes and Patrick Lynch - November 13, 2012
China Program Coordinator/Intern & Volunteer Coordinator
Our Rivers Our Rights
A grassroots movement is critical to protecting rivers and rights. Through education and advocacy, I work to protect China's rivers and raise awareness around the hidden cost of carbon offsets.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Experts Expect More Earthquakes in China’s Dam-Choked South - May 1, 2013
- World Water Day Marked By Death of Indigenous Anti-Dam Protester - April 4, 2013
- A Visit to the Kiad and Quebrada de Caña Communities of the Ngäbe - March 27, 2013
- Four Women, Three Countries, One Free-Flowing River - March 5, 2013
- A Story of The Angry River - February 21, 2013
Program Associate & Patagonia Coordinator
For Rivers, Water and Life
Working to protect the wild, free-flowing rivers and unparalleled beauty of Chilean Patagonia.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Chileans Want Their Rivers Back - April 26, 2013
- New Governor's Message Brings Hope to Temaca - April 8, 2013
- International Voices Unite on Day of Action for Rivers - March 27, 2013
- International (Three) Days of Action for Rivers in Futaleufú - March 26, 2013
- The True Colors of Patagonia - February 12, 2013
China Program Director
Monitoring China's Environmental Footprint
An Australian based out of California, working to strengthen the environmental and social standards of China's overseas dam builders and their global environmental footprint.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Beijing Sends a Signal to Chinese Overseas Dam Builders - April 23, 2013
- Guaranteeing Chinese Overseas Dams – By Whom and at What Cost? - February 28, 2013
- My report to the US-China Economic and Security Review Comittee: China at the Tipping Point - February 3, 2012
- China: 289 Dam Projects in 70 Countries - November 2, 2011
- A Turning Point for Chinese Dam Builders - October 14, 2011
Policy Director
Wet, Wild and Wonky
As International Rivers' Policy Director and before, the coordinator of a Swiss NGO, I have advocated for human rights and the environment for more than 20 years. When I'm not at work, I...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Holding Chinese Investors to Account - April 23, 2013
- Hydro Industry Shuts Out Critical Voices - April 16, 2013
- China's Superbank - April 11, 2013
- How the World Bank Undermines Its Own Development Goals - March 18, 2013
- Yanopah Takes the Plunge - March 13, 2013
Southeast Asia Program Director
Save the Mekong
As home to the world's largest inland fisheries and the second most biodiverse river in the world, I am working to protect the Mekong River from a cascade of large dams. Having worked in...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Fish Passages a Poor Match for Mekong Dams’ Impacts - April 22, 2013
- The Mekong River Reaches Critical Point as the Xayaburi Dam Advances - October 18, 2012
- Protestors Condemn Ch. Karnchang Over Xayaburi Dam Construction - April 24, 2012
- Official Review of the Xayaburi Dam Reveals Project Flaws - March 31, 2011
- The Pandora's Box of Mekong Dams - January 25, 2011
Africa Program Director
For Africa's Rivers
Working to protect people from the destructive impacts of large dams and helping communities affected by dams to seek reparations.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Memories and Unanswered Questions on the Zambezi - April 18, 2013
- Concerns About Kariba Dam’s Stability - August 17, 2012
- Africa Needs Green Energy, Not Grand Inga - December 7, 2011
Lao Program Coordinator
For Dignified Livelihoods, Meaningful Community Development and Free-Flowing Rivers
I collaborate with communities along the tributary rivers of the Mekong in Laos to help amplify their concerns about the impacts of large-scale dams, to support local articulations of river-based...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Sirindhorn Dam Affected Communities Still Seeking Justice and Compensation - April 10, 2013
- Thai Dam-Affected Communities Continue to Call for Fair Compensation - March 19, 2013
- People of the Sekaman River Prioritize River Restoration and Reparation - March 12, 2013
- Xe Pian–Xe Namnoy Affected People Want Consultation Before Construction - January 24, 2013
- Theun-Hinboun Opening Celebrations Obscure Village Concerns - January 15, 2013
Latin America Program Coordinator
Keep our Rivers Free Flowing
I work to support local movements for the protection of rivers in Latin America.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Police Detain Ituango Dam Affected - March 18, 2013
- Chixoy Communities One Step Closer to Reparations Deal - November 30, 2012
- Mexican Dam-Affected Communities Have Their Day in Court - November 9, 2012
- Seeking Justice On Dams and Human Rights in Mexico - October 30, 2012
- International Court Finds Guatemala Guilty for Rio Negro Massacres - October 26, 2012
Policy Program Coordinator
Inside the Instream
I work to strengthen global water and energy policies, and improve social and environmental standards at public and private banks, with a focus on mid-income countries.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Violence Against Women Rampant at Brazil's "Green" Dams - March 8, 2013
- To Lead on Biodiversity, the World Bank Must Champion Environmental Flows - October 12, 2012
- World Bank Policy Reforms Spell Risk for Accountability - October 10, 2012
- Dams Database Shows More Than 200 Dams Threatening the Amazon - September 26, 2012
- Belo Monte Dam Suspended by High Brazilian Court - August 14, 2012
South Asia Program Director
Let the Rivers Flow Freely
The focus of my work is environmental governance and justice. While I would love to see all rivers flow freely, a pragmatic approach is to ensure environmental flows in the rivers.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Bhutan's Picture of Gross National Happiness Blurs (part 2) - March 8, 2013
- Bhutan's Picture of Gross National Happiness Blurs - March 7, 2013
- A Journey to Dzongu - September 5, 2012
- India's Dam Boom: Small Not Always Beautiful - July 18, 2011
- North India Hydro Boom Leaves Communities High and Dry - July 18, 2011
Communications and Africa Program
Connect the Drops
I've worked on Africa's rivers for more than a dozen years, and have been privileged to collaborate with incredibly inspiring activists. A healthy river is such a remarkable thing, it gives...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Love Your River - A Valentine's Story - February 14, 2013
- Ethiopia Water Grabs: Creating 'East Africa's Aral Sea'? - January 22, 2013
- Bay Area Screenings of "The New Environmentalists" - October 9, 2012
- World Bank Approves Power Line to Gibe III Dam - July 12, 2012
- Land Grabs: Trampling Human Rights and Land in Uganda - March 23, 2012
Digital Administrator
Listening to the Currents
Mr. Johnson provides digital and web administration to the Berkeley office and to our campaign staff in the field. Before moving to the Bay Area in 2007, he worked for several years on the IT staff...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Songs of a Dam's Diaspora: Nubians Displaced by the Aswan Dam Tell Their Story With Music - November 27, 2012
- Radio Feature on Hydro Threats to Biodiversity in SE Asia - October 12, 2012
- "We Have to Make a Choice" - September 15, 2011
Policy Program Intern
Holding the dam industry accountable
Water is life. It is essential to protect this resource vital to the health of all people, rivers, and ecosystems. As the Policy Program Intern, my work focuses on the dam industry’s approach to...
Recent Posts in Blog
- Indigenous Leaders File Corruption Complaint Against Malaysian Dam Builder - September 7, 2012
- HSAP Ineffective in Corrupt Sarawak Dams - August 30, 2012
- Malaysia’s Murum Dam Sets Poor Precedents for Best Practice - August 14, 2012
- Proving Sustainability in the Dam Industry - July 10, 2012
Thailand Campaign Coordinator
Save the Mekong
Based in Bangkok, I work to protect the Mekong River by focusing on Thailand's role as a dam developer and the main intended market for hydroelectricity.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Thai Villagers File Lawsuit on Xayaburi Dam - August 8, 2012
Climate and Communications Intern
Our Water, Our Future
I believe that nothing is more important than the fight to create just, sustainable and inclusive futures for people around the world that depend on healthy rivers and ecosystems. I'm a graduate...
Recent Posts in Blog
Amazon Program Director
Rivers, Forests and People of the Amazon
My work at International Rivers focuses on supporting movements of dam-threatened peoples in the Amazon and alternative energy solutions.
Recent Posts in Blog
- Statement by Indigenous Leader on Occupation of the Belo Monte Pimental Dam site - June 30, 2012
- Stirring up the Streets of Rio - June 22, 2012
- Update from Rio: Strengthening the Alliance of River Defenders - June 19, 2012
- On the Road from the Xingu to Rio - June 19, 2012
- The Next Big Threat to Amazonian Rivers: Dams and Industrial Waterways on the Tapajós - March 30, 2012
