United Nations : Forests and marine resources continue to shrink (PRIV)
(IPS, Rome)
Deforestation and unsustainable farming a re depriving the planet of forests, while destructive practices in fishing are limiting the chance to sustainably manage our oceans.

Q&A : Raising the profile on the largest environmental issue of our time (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
Land degradation caused by human activities is occurring at an alarming rate across the world, and the cost will be steep if no action is taken.

Brazil : Agroecology beats land and water scarcity (PRIV)
(IPS, Rio de Janeiro)
"Now we live well," say both Gi valdo and Nina dos Santos, after showing visiting farmers their 1.25-hectare farm in Brazil's semi-arid Northeast, which is small but has a great variety of fru it trees, thanks to innovative water and production techniques.

Liberia : Mission accomplished - 15 years of peacekeeping success (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
On a bright, sunny day in Janua ry this year, Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf turned over power to Ge orge Weah, a decorated soccer star, following peaceful and successful elections. This marked Liberia's first democratic transfer of power in more than 70 years.