Each year the world loses $42.3 billion because of desertification. But when its leaders meet to discuss the fast spreading problem, all they can do is wrangle about funds

NGOs stressed the empowerment of local communities as an important factor in halting desertification

Thai farmers switched to tapioca in the 1960s to meet the demand in the European market. But today, European environmentalists are demanding the imports be stopped because tapioca has ruined the soil in Thailand

Fluctuations in the international cotton market has resulted in massive degradation of land in West Africa

The public debate between Dutch environment minister Hans Alders and Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment, covering a whole variety of global environmental issues, including the forest convention and the climate convention, turned into

Industrialised countries uneasy at the prospect of a shift from traditional political rights for the individual to rights that link communities and the environment?

The UN is finalising a draft declaration on special rights for indigenous people, but this is being opposed by some governments.

National constitutions have rarely established environmental rights as human rights, but an increasing number recognise the right to a healthy environment and have provisions directed at environmental protection: