'The launch of the Lighting Africa program (www.lightingafrica.org) by the two organizations this year has made it possible for Hema Cecile, a school teacher in Burkina Faso, to swap kerosene lamps for a solar-powered LED lantern. That means she and a thousand other households in the town of Dedougou -- which lies more than 200 km (124 miles) west of the capital Ouagadougou -- can extend hours of study, reading or leisure without cutting back on other things.'

'Rich nations will come under pressure at climate talks in Africa this week to get specific about how quickly and by how much they intend to cut their carbon footprints. The expert-level gathering in Accra, Ghana kicks off Thursday, and will lay the technical groundwork for a major UN meeting in Poznan, Poland at the end of the year.'

'Considering the need for reliable energy supplies in remote China, and the country’s own growing need for renewable energy resources, as evidenced by the estimated 15% deficit in energy generating capacity, the China Renewable Energy Development Project (REDP) was established in 2001 by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the World Bank, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This Project, which closed in June 2008, had the goal of promoting the installation of photov more...

'Water and climate change is one of the standing issues to be discussed at this year’s World Water Week, whose focus is on sanitation in response to the UN International Year of Sanitation.'

'Bangkok, 1 August (ESCAP Information Services) -- The main United Nations premises in Bangkok joined the New York Headquarters today to turn up thermostats by 2°C in an effort to reduce the use of air conditioning and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Most staff members came to work wearing lighter clothing, including national dress.'

The Global Development Network is now accepting submissions for its annual competition for development research proposals/papers and development projects.

In this critical time for the world's natural resources, the mission of GDN has never been more important. To bring greater focus to environmental issues the world over, the competition theme this year is on Natural Resource Mangement and Development.
•If you have an interesting research proposal/paper on Natural Resource Management (NR more...

United Nations relief officials warned today that heavy rains across West Africa have brought renewed flooding to the region, threatening the homes and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people and jeopardizing the already fragile food security situation.

More than 50,000 people in seven West African countries have been affected by floods so far, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
n Mali, at least six people are reported to have died in the capi more...

Hundreds of experts call for new kind of forest partnership. An emerging initiative could pave the way for fundamental change in the way forests are managed, boosting efforts to fight both poverty and climate change, says research published today by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

The World Bank-nurtured idea is of a global forest partnership that links local and global processes and promotes decision-making on the international stage that reflects the view more...

It’s true that China is using the upcoming Beijing Olympics as a sustainability showcase, going so far as to dub the event the 'Green Olympics.' Through a partnership with the U.S. government and the Maryland-based International Center for Sustainable Development, China is giving Beijing a green makeover to make the city a model for net zero pollution, green building and sustainable community development. According to China’s Technology Minister Wan Gang, the Beijing Olympics are expected to more...

NEW YORK, 9 JULY 2008—With the Beijing Olympic Games just around the corner, and the animation film Kung Fu Panda a summer draw at the box office, children have lots of questions about giant pandas. Written by Stuart P. Levine, My Panda Book will delight infants and toddlers as they learn key facts about the pandas. This book is a part of a series of board books which HarperCollins Publishers has partnered with the Smithsonian Institution.

The brightly colored photos of the National Zoo pan more...