Extract 1
I was born in the city of Bombay… once upon a time. No, that won’t do, there’s no getting away from the date: I was born in Narlikar on August 15th 1947. And the time? The time matters, too. Well then: at night. No, it’s important to be more… On the stroke of midnight, as a matter of fact. Clock- hands joined palms in respectful greeting as I came. Oh, spell it out, spell it out: at the precise instant of India’s arrival at independence, I tumbled forth into the world. There were gasps. And, outside the window, fire-works and crowds. A few seconds later, my father broke his big toe; but his accident was a mere trifle when set beside what had befallen me in that benighted moment, because thanks to the occult tyrannies of those blanding saluting clocks I had been mysteriously hand-cuffed to history, my destinies indissolubly chained to those of my country.
Extract 2
X Confirm Planning Buffer Zones for Dirty Gas
Friends of the Earth Scotland have warmly welcomed the Scottish Government's strengthened commitment today to introduce buffer zones between unconventional gas developments and communities.
Paul, Minister for Environment and Climate Change spoke to a crowd of concerned citizens and environment groups outside the X party conference today in Perth and handed Friends of the Earth Scotland a letter from Planning Minister. The letter says that Ministers have listened to the large amount of feedback on their draft planning proposals and are minded to introduce buffer zones around unconventional gas developments.
Mary, Friends of the Earth Scotland Head of Campaigns, said, "While this isn't yet the ban we need, it is a firm step in the right direction and a huge problem for X2’s current plans for drilling for gas in Scotland. X2 should see which way the wind is blowing and give up now.
"We welcome the Government's recognition that buffer zones are necessary to protect communities from the worst impacts of gas drilling and fracking, and urge them to go further and join France, Ireland and many others by putting a stop to all fracking and unconventional gas activity.
Extract 3
Argentina’s Comprehensive Environmental Law Nº 25.675 (LGA), enacted in 2002, contains a broad definition of environmental harm and damage, and requests green insurance to any party carrying out environmentally sensitive activities. However, the quest for environmental insurers has been elusive as of today. To date, only one environmentally friendly policy has been approved by the Argentine Superintendence of Insurance (SSN). Such insurance has a limit of U$D 400.000. The minimum insurance coverage requested by the implementing nature friendly regulations of the LGA varies according to the complexities of the insured company. The above mentioned limit is insufficient for medium sized or large companies, for which the LGA’s environmental insurance request cannot be complied.