Kosi The Sorrow of Bihar

Raghu Katti

This KMZ file tells the story of the destruction caused by the river KOSI in the Indian state of Bihar in 2008. It gives details of the catastrophic floods caused by the river, various geological and manmade factors which lead to this destruction and some myths surrounding the river.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/kosi_river_sm.jpg

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Waterkeepers

Ron Hall

Waterkeeper Alliance is an international grassroots advocacy organization that connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs (Riverkeeper, Coastkeeper, Soundkeeper, Lakekeeper) to provide a voice for waterways and their communities worldwide. This kml piece is a project by the Spokane Riverkeeper to use Google Earth (and other free Google offerings) to increase public awareness of the Waterkeepers Alliance program. Programs protect the ecology, ecosystems, watershed, and water quality of various rivers, lakes, seas, bays, sounds, and coasts around the world. (Center for Justice, pollution).

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Create Rainforest

BOS Deutschland e.V.

http://www.bos-deutschland.de

Borneo Orangutan Survival aforestation project in East Kalimantan.

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Spokane River Issues

Ron Hall

On April 14, 2004, the Spokane River was recognized as the 6th most endangered river in America (American Rivers). The objective of this piece is to "promote regional dialogs for sustaining a healthy river system while meeting the needs of a growing population" (Spokane River Forum). The Spokane River flows from Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho approximately 90 miles northwest through Spokane, Wash., before emptying into the Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam. The river's flow is partially fed by the Spokane-Rathdrum Aquifer, which provides drinking water to 400,000 people in the region. The river is a vital part of the quality of life in its namesake city, offering riverfront trails and parks, a prized trout fishery, whitewater recreation and dramatic, natural scenery (Spokane Falls). The river is affected by crop irrigation, low flows (dams for power generation), wastewater discharges (treatment plant discharge, "cso"'s), and toxic pollution from former mining activities. CELP, Center for Justice.

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UNHCR Refugee Camps Around the Globe

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

http://www.unhcr.org

Every year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) gives assistance and shelter to millions of people forcibly uprooted from their homes. UNHCR is putting refugees on the map - a virtual map - with a new Google Earth tour that shows UNHCR's refugee camp across the globe.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/unhcr_camps_showcase_sm.jpg

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Rebuilding faces, changing lives

Project Harar

http://www.projectharar.co.uk

Project Harar is a health outreach charity that secures professional surgical treatment and after-care for children and young people with severe facial disfigurements from remote and very poor areas of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world and its children suffer from all the associated impacts on health. There is a dramatic lack of affordable, accessible medical care, especially outside the main cities. Since 2001, Project Harar has secured in-country surgical and rehabilitative care for hundreds of young people affected by facial disfigurements caused by cleft lip/palate, burns, animal attacks and noma - a devastating infection. Explore the KML to see the areas where Project Harar operates and find out more about Ethiopian healthcare and the experience of living with a facial disfigurement in isolated and impoverished communities.

http://earth.google.com/gallery/images/small/project_harar_sm.jpg

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