The convenience city ultimatum

The convenience city ultimatum

In their exploration of creating a sustainable Vancouver by 2050, a University of British Columbia team presents its final "big ideas". >>
Nature as an ally: An interview with Wendell Berry

Nature as an ally: An interview with Wendell Berry

An interview about agriculture, ecology and ideals with poet, essayist, farmer, and novelist Wendell Berry. >>
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End of business as we know it

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, we have gone from success to success. But is "business as usual" still an option? >>
Too many still struggling to meet food and nutrition goals

Too many still struggling to meet food and nutrition goals

High food prices could prevent millions of people, particularly children, from escaping poverty and hunger. >>
Our planet and how we evaluate wealth

A shift towards inclusive wealth indicators

At the Planet under Pressure conference, progress included a preview of a new tool to evaluate not just overall wealth, but also sustainability of growth patterns. >>
Does economic growth make us happy?

Does economic growth make us happy?

The first World Happiness Report shows us that, although economic growth can’t make us happy on its own, it does help a bit. >>
Climate change is a human rights issue

Climate change is a human rights issue

Human rights bodies could help spur collective action to overcome the obstacles to progress on global warming, argues the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food. >>
Climate pollution killing oysters

Climate pollution killing oysters

New evidence shows that ocean acidification is harming commercially valuable species in the northwestern Pacific region of North America. >>
Return to rural communities: Resilience over efficiency

Return to rural communities: Resilience over efficiency

The trickles of people leaving cities for rural areas might reflect a universal consciousness about what may be best for long term survival. >>
Are oil subsidies worth the price?

Are oil subsidies worth the price?

Countries from Indonesia to Nigeria to the United States subsidize oil prices, but how long can such policies last? >>
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Green economy or clean energy with equity for Latin America

Latin America and the Caribbean have the potential to uncouple regional economic growth from fossil fuel consumption. >>
Indian tribe's Avatar-like battle against mining firm

Indian tribe’s Avatar-like battle against mining firm

The Dongria Kondh people plan to carry on fight to stop Vedanta Resources from mining bauxite in Niyamgiri hills. >>
Cassandra science at Planet under Pressure

Cassandra science at Planet under Pressure

In Greek mythology, Cassandra was given the gift of prophecy, but she was cursed so that no one would believe her. >>
Discovering the wonders of the coconut

Discovering the wonders of the coconut

With an array of uses from energy and construction to medicine, this versatile palm has been sustaining communities for thousands of years. >>
To finance change, finance has to change

To finance change, finance has to change

An international alliance of community-focused banks is hoping to spur transition to a sustainable economic picture. >>
Enhancing indigenous knowledge in rice terraces

Enhancing indigenous knowledge in rice terraces

Melding science and local wisdom can support farming practices threatened by climate change. >>
The simpler way to a greener future

The simpler way to a greener future

Trying out small changes will make your life better and at the same time greener. >>
Expanding our moral universe

Expanding our moral universe

For humanity to continue to flourish, our moral decision-making must encompass a larger part of our natural and social environments. >>
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A city that runs on itself

Cut greenhouse gas emissions dramatically? A team of students envisions building this into Vancouver's future. >>
Do you believe in climate change?

Do you believe in climate change?

That's not a question you should be asking — it's a matter of empirical evidence, not belief. >>
Revealing the world's hottest biodiversity hotspot

Revealing the world’s hottest biodiversity hotspot

Entomologist Dmitry Telnov hopes to shed light on one of the world's last unexplored biogeographical regions: Wallacea and New Guinea. >>
Putting water back in public hands

Putting water back in public hands

Despite the promising perspectives of remunicipalisation of water services, the commercialisation of water continues. >>
Biodiversity in Kanazawa: Spring's lesson

Biodiversity in Kanazawa: Spring’s lesson

The delicate colours of nature in spring have been a major source of inspiration for Kanazawa's local silk-dyeing artists. >>
Governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdictions

Governance of marine areas beyond national jurisdictions

Improved governance of oceans beyond national jurisdictions will benefit biodiversity and help build more sustainable, equitable economies. >>
Stemming rural depopulation in Ethiopia

Stemming rural depopulation in Ethiopia

Swiss architects aim to stem rural depopulation and increase prosperity with semi-urban village centres. >>
Standing strong: Anniversary of the Tohoku Disaster

Standing strong: Anniversary of the Tohoku Disaster

The coastal communities in the Tohoku-Kanto region have pulled together in their rebuilding efforts. >>
Bali Declaration calls for palm oil justice

Bali Declaration calls for palm oil justice

Careless development of palm plantations is exacerbating ecological problems and climate change, as well as dispossessing indigenous peoples. >>
A new economic narrative: Industrial revolution 3.0

A new economic narrative: Industrial revolution 3.0

Economist Jeremy Rifkin predicts that a third energy-communications revolution will spark the next great wave of economic growth. >>
Persistent organic pollutants in the marine food chain

Persistent organic pollutants in the marine food chain

Marine mammals are a window on the pollutant concentration trends affected by global changes. >>
Behind the number — Our world at 7 billion

Behind the number — Our world at 7 billion

Looking behind the global population figure reveals different worlds, many challenges and a raft of contradictory policies to address them. >>
Future of food in Japan

Future of food in Japan

Uncertainty clouds the future for healthy food-loving Japanese. Can food self-sufficiency be increased? >>
Can the commons move from margins to mainstream?

Can the commons move from margins to mainstream?

An expert explains the history and significance of the commodification of the commons and offers strategies for 'commoners'. >>
Converting geothermal knowledge into megawatts

Converting geothermal knowledge into megawatts

A Ph.D. Fellow at the UNU Geothermal Training Programme explains why geothermal energy is key for developing nations like hers. >>
Scientists denounce climate change denial, censorship

Scientists denounce climate change denial, censorship

Canadian media coverage of climate change has fallen by 80% due to the conservative government's restrictive policies. >>
What ever happened to the Green New Deal?

What ever happened to the Green New Deal?

Nearly three years since the signing of the G20 Global Green New Deal, a UNU-IAS Ph.D. Fellow surveys action on the plan. >>
Revealed: fossil fuel reserves match climate negotiating positions

Revealed: fossil fuel reserves match climate negotiating positions

Recent fossil fuel data suggests that an overlooked correlation may explain why we’re not solving climate change. >>
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Fishy decision: Herring stock depletion in Canada

Illustrating stock mismanagement in perhaps many corners of the globe, naturalist Briony Penn looks at one fishery that is close to her heart. >>
Why the energy-industrial elite has it in for the planet

Why the energy-industrial elite has it in for the planet

Tom Engelhardt of TomDispatch.com introduces an essay by Bill McKibben on the global "carbon bubble" and how the fossil fuel industry profits. >>
Communicating climate science online

Communicating climate science online

Communication of scientific research in all areas is being transformed by the web and social media. >>
From melon to haircuts, prices rise for Nigerians

From melon to haircuts, prices rise for Nigerians

Nigerian journalist Armsfree Onomo Ajanaku looks at the link between Nigerian fuel subsidies and the recent food price protests. >>