Environment

As Climate Talks Begin, Obama's Change Mandate in Question

The potential confirmation of controversial former pesticide lobbyist Islam Siddiqui as the U.S. trade representative for agriculture threatens to further undermine this administration’s credibility in international forums by privileging U.S. corporate interests over the global public interest and common good.

Climate agreement must support shift toward sustainable agriculture

To effectively address global climate change, policy solutions must support a transition toward more sustainable agriculture systems that recognize the critical role agriculture plays in the world, concludes a series of issue briefs released today by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

New book provides blueprint for more just trade system

A new book highlights the need for a fundamental reshaping of international trade and investment rules to put human rights, particularly the right to adequate food, at the centre of economic and development policy.

Letter on Carbon Derivatives Trading

The letter to Senators Boxer and Kerry does not take a position on the overall content of the draft Senate bill on energy and climate change. It advises the Senators that trading carbon emissions derivatives under pending commodity futures legislation could create extreme price volatility that could delay and inhibit investments in Green House Gas reduction technology

Integrating Agriculture In a Global Climate Deal: Benchmarks For Copenhagen

The global agriculture system is failing both the world's hungry and the climate. A paradigm shift is needed to build a resilient system of food production, while contributing to climate change mitigation.

Questionable start for new biomass program

The way the U.S. Department of Agriculture has rolled out the first part of BCAP is raising eyebrows, as initial funding seems to be going to pay for already-existing biomass supplies used for renewable energy, instead of focusing on helping to jump-start the new cellulosic energy future.