Until now, agriculture has been largely excluded from global carbon markets, but this is set to change in December 2009 at the Copenhagen conference. Agribusiness companies are lobbying hard to make a range of farming activities eligible for future funding under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

This essay contends that the economic liberalization, privatization and globalization (LPG) model of development in India is virtually depriving the tribal people and other agriculture dependent poor people of their traditional means of sustainable livelihood by promoting the unregulated growth of mineral-based industries in the tribal regions of India.

Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno (not their real names) are the frontmen for the Yes Men. They got together to set up parody websites such as www.gwbush.com and graduated to huge anti-corporate, culture-jamming stunts targeting giants such as ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical. Their latest film, The Yes Men Fix the World, is showing now all over the UK and in the US later in October.

The large rally-cum-publicmeeting of adivasi peasants, organised by the Bastar Sambhag Kisan Sangharsh Samiti on 1 June in Jagdalpur, opposing the construction of the Bodh Ghat dam and the privatisation of mines and river water resources was an eye-opener.

India perhaps has the highest retail density in the world. Economies of scale drive the retail sector towards rapid growth in terms of size of outlets and dominance in geographical and product markets, posing challenges for preservation of genuine competition.

In the 1990s, when one spoke of Corporate Social Responsibility, it was very quickly concluded to be donations. It was understood to be a philanthropic gesture which the organisations undertook as their responsibility towards the society.

One of the gravest problems ahead of us is the availability of drinking water in rural areas. Public-private partnership (PPP) is the new development mantra. In the area of provision of safe drinking water in rural areas, some notable work has already been carried out.

Green Systems was set up in the belief that a small business with a clear mission could deliver honest advice, make a difference and be satisfying to run. It was a model different from most. It saw environmental problems both as a concern and an opportunity. A lean and spirited company with expertise could help corporations with mega footprints clean up their act.

Scientists must ask corporations for permission before publishing independent research on genetically modified crops. That restriction must end. (Editorial)