Developing world's 10 best ethical destinations

Searching for e-mail from Jeff Greenwald is pretty easy. Out of the 300 or so messages The Chronicle's Travel section gets daily, Jeff's are the only ones with the word "ethical."

At a time when everyone in travel is releasing end-of-year and end-of-decade lists about Top 10 cheap hotels, romantic sites, waterproof jackets, iPhone apps, burger joints and airfare deals, Greenwald and his partners at Ethical Traveler, a Berkeley nonprofit advocacy group that advises travelers on how to use "economic power to strengthen human rights and protect the environment," are focusing on making responsible decisions.

"Travel has become one of the planet's biggest industries - on par with oil - and our economic power as travelers is enormous," Greenwald and co-author Christy Hoover said in the group's annual report of the Developing World's 10 Best Ethical Destinations. "The way we travel has a measurable impact on the environment, human rights, and the way our home country is viewed by people in other lands."

The list is based on three general categories - environmental protection, social welfare and human rights - as well as a number of subcategories, including preservation of resources, mortality rate, civil liberties, safe drinking water and political rights, to name a few. The idea is that nations with responsible policies, not just sexy attractions, should be recognized and rewarded. "By visiting the countries mentioned here, we 'vote with our wings.' "

The group's recommendations for 2010 are, alphabetically: Argentina, Belize, Chile, Ghana, Lithuania, Namibia, Poland, Seychelles, South Africa and Suriname. (Find the entire report online at www.ethicaltraveler.org.) A few highlights from this year's report, in no particular order:

Lithuania: Scored well in environmental protection with "a very high level of overall environmental health, air and water quality, and sustainable forestry practices."

Chile: Notable for "outstanding air quality, conservation practices and sustainable land management."

Argentina: Recently committed "toward zero net deforestation" and is a "world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets."

Seychelles: Nearly 50 percent of the country's land is under natural conservation, a global record.

Poland: The lowest infant mortality rate on the list, as well as a top ranking for civil liberties, according to the Freedom in the World 2009 Report.

Namibia: Highly rated in social welfare category, especially in the area of "ruling justly."

Ghana: Was added "due to an impressive commitment to genuine democracy."

Belize: Earned the highest possible rating for political rights from Freedom House, a rights monitoring group.

South Africa: High marks for sustainable coastal development and environmental management, as well as for freedom of press.

Suriname: On the list because of its "unspoiled rainforest biodiversity and sincere efforts toward ecotourism and environmental protection."

Almost as important as the names on the list are the ones from last year's list that were removed, including: Costa Rica (increase in sex tourism); Bolivia and Bulgaria (child trafficking and corruption); and Nicaragua (deteriorating record on human rights). Also, Croatia and Estonia are no longer considered developing nations.

"No country on Earth is perfect. Some are strong in some areas, and weaker in others. Some do many things well, but fall dramatically short in one critical area," Greenwald and Hoover say in the report. "It's as difficult as recommending dishes in a great restaurant. Everything is delicious; but these are the specials."

Source:sfgate.com/

Universal Completes Acquisition of Block 2815 Off-Shore, Namibia

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- 12/31/09 -- Universal Power Corp. (TSX VENTURE: UNX)(FRANKFURT: 3U2A) (the "Company") announced today that it has completed the purchase of an additional 60% interest in Petroleum Exploration Licence ("EL") 2815 off-shore Namibia subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") approval.

Upon completion of this transaction, the Company now controls 90% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Namibia Industrial Development Group (Pty) Ltd, ("NIDG"). NIDG has the oil and gas exploration licence to explore block number 2815 and the off-shore portions of blocks 2816 and 2915 Namibia, Africa.

About Block 2815

EL 2815 covers an area of about 10,858 square kilometers situated directly east of the proven Kudu Gas Field and slightly north of the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia. The block is located along the Namibian border with South Africa where there is a large market for natural gas and the planned development of a natural gas processing plant. Historical work on block 2815 includes a modern seismic survey over approximately 50% of the block. The Company is currently evaluating the existing data and work towards attracting third parties to participate in drilling.

Terms

Pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent dated July 07, 2009 the Company has acquired from Limpet Investments (Proprietary) Limited ("Limpet") 60% of the issued and outstanding common shares of NIDG which currently holds the licence to explore Block 2815. As consideration for the 60% of NIDG, the Company has paid Limpet US $1,000,000 and will issue 3,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $.58 per share. Shares issued will be subject to a four month hold period. Universal now controls 90% of NIDG through its 100% controlled subsidiary Cumoxi Investments (Pty) Ltd.

About Universal Power Corp.

Universal Power Corp. (www.universalpowercorp.com) is an independent oil and gas exploration and development company with broad based Black Economic Empowerment partnerships, trading its common shares publicly on Canadian and German exchanges. The company currently holds interests in 6 Blocks of offshore concessions covering over 32,000 sq km in Namibia, West Africa.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barry Swanson, Director & CEO

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Universal Power Corp. with respect to its performance, business and future events. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, those relating to changes in the market, potential downturns in economic conditions, foreign exchange fluctuations, changes in business strategy, regulatory requirements, demand for our resources, competition and dependence on key personnel. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Universal Power Corp. does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements.

Shares Outstanding: 75,934,546

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:
Universal Power Corp.
Barry Swanson
Director & CEO
(778) 997-4925
Email: barry@universalpowercorp.ca

Source:earthtimes.org/