The Earth’s environment is the source of economic, social, cultural activities, with nature shaping human life over the centuries. The rapid growth in the world population, from 1 billion in 1830 to 7 billion today, add pressures for air quality, oceans, land use and resources as basic as water. Awareness is building about over-reliance on fossil fuels, how carbon and other emissions contribute to global warming and volatile weather. Every industry requires energy, and cross-border industrialization, transportation and other economic activities contribute to environmental degradation. Yet globalization also spurs awareness and activism over the need for global cooperation and standards to promote sustainability and environmental protection.

Beyond Kyoto

An updated vision of international environmental consensus would include cooperation both among nations and between public and private sectors.
John Browne
July 8, 2004

Ban Sale of Ramin: Lobby Group

An international NGO suggested Taiwan could be a trendsetting force if it made use of ramin illegal, but officials said they were doing what they could
Evelyn Shih
July 15, 2004

Fresh Water Talks

Nile Basin countries re-double efforts to work out a way of sharing and managing the region's water resources
Gamal Nkrumah
June 11, 2004

Asia ‘Needs Own Energy Resources’

Researchers urge region’s policy makers to lessen reliance on imports
Pennapa Hongthong
June 9, 2004

A Change in the Climate

Russia's decision on Kyoto will determine the fate of the climate control policy
Vanessa Houlder
May 19, 2004