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October 2005, Volume 1, Number 2

NGOs throughout Africa have just completed case studies on the roles of Members of Parliament (MPs) in representing the environmental concerns of their constituents. Some NGOs are moving beyond the initial case studies to develop indicators to monitor MP performance and to survey the environmental stance of political parties. A recent event convened environmental lawyers, legislators, and NGOs from across Central Africa to discuss Cameroon’s experience. Central Africa contains the second largest humid dense forest in the world; improved governance and representation is considered key to its survival and the improved livelihoods of its inhabitants.

For the fourth consecutive year, satellite data have shown arctic sea ice falling below average at the end of the northern summer. The decline in sea ice over those four years totals approximately 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers), roughly twice the size of Texas. The sea ice is building up less during colder months, leaving it more susceptible to warmer summer temperatures, and spring melts are starting earlier. Other research has confirmed a significant increase in the risk of increased hurricane intensity as a result of global warming. Image Credit: National Snow and Ice Data Center

Arctic Sea Ice Falling Below Average

Former chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Jim Harmon has called for governance reforms to help Export Credit Agencies better support sustainable development. Recommendations include "do no harm" measures like increased lending transparency and harmonization of standards, and "do good" measures such as local currency financing and bundling of small-scale projects. (more here)

WRI convened early this month 50 representatives of government and civil society from two dozen countries to discuss successes and challenges in their attempts to increase public access to environmental information, participation in decision-making affecting the environment, and access to environmental justice. (more here)
Clinton Initiative recognizes EMBARQ

The Clinton Global Initiative recently recognized EMBARQ's sustainable mobility approach in Porto Alegre, Brazil, as a successful model addressing climate change and poverty in an increasingly urbanized world. EMBARQ's partnership with Porto Alegre follows on the heels of the recent success in Mexico City.  In addition to seeking reductions in air pollution and congestion, Porto Alegre's future Bus Rapid Transit system will seek to revitalize the city's downtown and extend its service to previously marginalized communities, offering transport of equal quality to rich and poor.
(more here)

Kenton Miller

Dr. Kenton Miller, credited with assisting developing countries establish national parks and reserves, was honored by the Bruno H. Schubert Foundation for his lifetime achievements. Protected areas now cover fully 12 percent of the earth's land area, and are considered key tools in long-term preservation of genetic resources, clean water and clean air.
(more here)


Who would have guessed that not advertising, and building a staff solely of the unemployed, could lead to cult status for a banking product in South Africa's townships? Wizzit cellphone-based banking targets the 60 percent of South Africans who are unbanked or underbanked. The system even works on pay-as-you-go cellphones, and charges no monthly fees - and expects to break even in 2006. (more here)

NextBillion's new Base of the Pyramid (BOP) Activity Database tracks innovative enterprises that offer products and services to underserved communities in developing countries. It is meant to serve as a knowledge base of sustainable business models that address the needs of the world’s poorest citizens. (more here)

(see related article "Banks" above)

<>6 of World's Largest Green NGOs to Integrate Conservation and Development Efforts
<>European Union Development Policy to Emphasize Natural Resource Management, with Focus on Africa
<>African Ministers Promise Sustainable Energy Services to Half of Africa's Poor by 2015
<>Rainforest Nations Offer Voluntary Carbon Reductions for Access to Emissions Trading
<>Call for Higher Prices for Indigenous Sustainable Logging
<>UNDP/UNEP Integrate Environment into Poverty, Investment Programs
<>IUCN to help 50 Million People Improve Livelihoods through Ecosystem Management
<>Makuleke Give Up Hunting Rights to Preserve Biodiversity
(summary of event here)

Russian Forest Sector Leaders Meet

WRI recently convened dozens of Russian forest-sector leaders to form a new association that will promote legal and sustainable management of Russia’s forests. Participants included representatives of major forest companies, government forest agencies, non-governmental environmental organizations, and the World Bank. (more here)


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