World grain harvests increase but not enough, an African TechCorps, and is ecotourism really environmentally sustainable?

May 29, 2007

Earthtrends: Environmental Information

• Despite record harvests in 2007, world grain supplies are barely meeting demand. Among the contributing factors: a rapidly expanding biofuels industry, continued growth in food & feedstock demand, historically low carryover stocks, and rising grain prices.
  
  
• Experts question the environmental sustainability of ecotourism at last week's Global Ecotourism Conference 2007. Although by definition ecotourism is environmentally sustainable, experts are concerned that it is contributing to global warming and environmental damage.

NextBillion.net: Development Through Enterprise

• Let's build an Africa TechCorps: that's the proposition of Andrew Mack and Jeremy Goldberg. Technology is blooming across Africa, boosted by demand and private sector involvement. But to really catch on, Africa needs more investment in skills, markets, and networks.

Environmental News

• Bloomberg.com. May 25, 2007. GM Tries to Head Off Laws Inspired by Hollywood.
  
  
• Jamaica Gleaner.  May 20, 2007. Move to Stem Challenges to Development, PIOJ Head Tells Region.