This Synthesis Paper is based on an Expert Meeting held in Rome 26

Air pollution is a major environmental health threat in OECD countries, contributing to a number of illnesses, such as asthma, cancer and premature deaths.

This is a didactic document for communities who work with the member groups of the federation, Indigenous organizations, allied ecologists and farmers, as well as all communities that advocate the vision of building a socially just and environmentally-sound world.

Today, climate change is the most potentially dangerous
environmental threat facing human beings and other life forms. The impact of climate change will be particularly severe in the tropical areas such as South Asia. South Asian countries already face tremendous pressure due to increased population growth, urbanization, industrialization and other economic developments.

IIED conducted an independent consultation on the World Bank

There is increasing international recognition that while growth in bioenergy offers new opportunities for sustainable agricultural development, it also carries significant risks. With use of current technologies and set policies, the growth in liquid biofuels is contributing to the rise of commodity prices and may have negative impacts on food security and the environment.

Climate change will have a disproportionate impact on poor developing countries - compared to the expected net effects in developed regions - due to a combination of more severe climatic impacts in areas that are already vulnerable today, coupled with inadequate resources, technology and organizational capacity to adapt to them.

All agricultural commodities covered in this report are of critical importance to global food and feed markets. They constitute much of the world's food consumption, generate income to farmers and represent the largest portion of food import expenditures across the world. The analysis in the report puts in perspective market developments in recent months with a view to providing some insights into how the outlook might unfold for the commodities covered during the coming months.

The international climate negotiations have seen endless struggles between countries from South and North for almost 17 years, ever since the initiation of negotiations by the International Negotiation Committee for the UNFCCC.

Public health issues are inextricably linked with human rights and it is only apt that many health professionals will involve themselves in such issues. The response of governments and the corporate sector to the work of such professionals suggests how they are seen as threats to the established order.

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