The World Food Programme (WFP) launched this week a food voucher programme in Burkina Faso. This is an intelligent step from the WFP, as it will help strengthen the local food markets rather than creating a dependency on foreign food to meet local demand. While this is only a first step on what should become [...]
And here they come again, genetically-modified organisms (GMOS) to the rescue!
As soon as a crisis emerges, it seems like GMOs quickly make their way in the discourse. It does not matter how many times they get shut down as false solutions, they come also to the discussion framed as a technological solution to the pressing [...]
The Worldwatch Institute, a think-tank based in Washington DC, USA, just released State of the World 2009, a publication examining policy changes needed to combat climate change. A recommended read.
R. Pachuri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reviewed the book and said that “ [State of the World 2009] will undoubtedly influence [...]
The 4th meeting of the AWGLCA will be hosting a workshop on “Risk management and risk reduction strategies, including risk sharing and transfer mechanisms such as insurance.” The item was listed in the Bali Action Plan, and this will be first meeting that considers specific adaptation issues.
In preparation to the discussion, it is important to [...]
While most people would not think of the United States of America has having to suffer from climate change, there is a hidden truth among the minorities and excluded communities. Black african americans in the US in many parts of the US are as vulnerable as people from small islands or other vulnerable countries. The [...]
Mozambique has taken firm steps to develop, increase, and enhance national collaboration for disaster risk reduction (DRR), with success particularly in disaster response for the protection of human lives. Over the past decade, the Government of Mozambique has also tried to work towards reducing vulnerability and disaster risk in the long term through research, consultation, [...]
I have just completed my Watson Fellowship and here is a personal reflection I wrote.
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A few months ago, I wrote of the frustrations of international aid and development in India. Ever since then, my disappointment and anger in development has grown. Over this year, I have seen how hundreds have found answers to the challenges [...]
A brief note to link to a summary of the side event I presented during the climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany on June 5th, 2008. The presentation highlighted lessons from the field demonstrating how community-based adaptation can contribute to the Bali Action Plan.
SustainUS organized the side event and offered the opportunity to present. You can [...]
The typhoon season is technically over in South East Asia, which gives us some time to start thinking over what has happened over the past few months. A lot was learnt during 2007 in the disaster management and disaster risk reduction field. Some events showed us that we are improving in how we respond to [...]
Global agreements, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Agenda 21, have recognized the uniqueness of the climate change challenges faced by small islands developing states, such as the Fiji Islands. But this awareness does not seem to translate in concrete policy measures on the ground—even in the countries that lobby [...]