Mali's elephants have lived for millennia in the inhospitable Sahara, writes Susan Canney. But with their survival at risk from a host of modern, 21st century threats, local people are coming together to protect them - and finding that they too are benefiting.
… the elephants? Susan Canney | 14th July 2014 Comment Mali Elephants Indigenous Peoples …
For 600 million rural people across Africa, the food they grow is the food they eat. A new plant breeding academy in Kenya is using advanced genomic technologies to produce more robust and nutritious crops, writes Howard-Yana Shapiro.
… Howard-Yana Shapiro | 19th January 2014 Comment Food Farming Africa boabab-tree.png …
Nigeria is suffering political instability resulting from desertification and pollution, writes Senator Bukola Saraki. As Africa's most populous country it has no choice but to engage in the fight against climate change, its causes, and its consequences.
… imperative Bukola Saraki | 8th March 2014 Comment Nigeria Africa Climate Change Unfccc …
Carved ivory elephants may already outnumber living elephants, which are being slaughtered at the unsustainable rate of 35,000 per year. Richard Schiffman reports from the Central African Republic.
… frenzy Richard Schiffman | 6th January 2014 Comment Ivory Wildlife Trade Elephants Africa …
Coca-Cola is the latest company to join the agricultural 'scramble for Africa', writes Miriam Ross. Backed by £600 million of British aid under the guise of 'food security' and 'nutrition', a vast give-away of Africa's land is under way that will condemn small farmers to landlessness and poverty.
… in Africa Miriam Ross | 22nd September 2014 Comment Food Farming Corporations Africa UK …
Ian Redmond, 'ape man', talked to Sarah Stirk about his joy in the natural world, and especially his passion for Mountain gorillas - the only ape (other than humans) whose population is rising.
… world Sarah Stirk | 18th February 2014 Comment Natural World Africa Rwanda …
With the help of some clever engineering, writes Paul Brown, the power of the Sun can now produce electricity on demand - day and night, bright or cloudy. The key technology has just won a prestigious DESERTEC Award.
… power comes of age Paul Brown | 1st May 2014 Comment Renewables Solar Power Energy EU Spain …
The soils on which African farmers depend are getting poorer, writes Fernando Naves Sousa, depleted of nutrients and organic matter. This creates a huge challenge: to reverse the trend in an environmentally responsible way, while feeding a growing population. But it can be done - using organic composting techniques.
… Fernando Naves Sousa | 14th October 2014 Comment Africa Farming Mali Burkina Faso Benin …
Of course rising world population matters, writes Biff Vernon, due to its impact on the planet and its resources. But to actually do something about it, don't even mention the 'p' word. Instead let's cut back on our wasteful, high-consumption lifestyles - and empower women everywhere!
… matter more Biff Vernon | 30th December 2014 Comment Population UK Africa woman-cut.jpg Of …
The 1994 genocide in Rwanda could easily have finished off the mountain gorillas of the Virunga mountains. The fact that they survived is in large part thanks to Eugene Rutagarama. He spoke with Veronique Mistiaen about the primates' future prospects ...
… Rutagarama Veronique Mistiaen | 7th May 2014 Comment Africa Natural World …
GM crops may benefit agribusiness, writes Andrew Adam-Bradford. But they offer little to Africa or the millions of farming communities that feed the continent. Rather than impose corporate 'solutions', governments should invest in indigenous agro-ecological farming.
… Africa Andrew Adam-Bradford | 9th August 2014 Comment Africa Kenya Farming GMOs Development …
Ecocide is a global problem, writes Bukola Saraki, and laws are desperately needed to hold companies to account for the damage they cause. Nigeria - long despoiled with impunity by the oil industry - is just the place to start.
… Senator Dr Bukola Saraki | 5th February 2014 Comment Ecocide Africa Nigeria Oil Fossil …
The white rhino is in deep trouble after a new surge of poaching. But the fact that it's there at all is largely thanks to one man: Ian Player, who saved the white rhino from near-certain extinction in the 1960's. Earlier this year Nicola Graydon met Dr Player at his home in South Africa, to record his last major interview.
… rhino Nicola Graydon | 5th December 2014 Comment Africa Conservation Biodiversity …
If rhinos are driven to extinction in the wild, Africa's landscapes and ecosystems would be very different, reports Rachel Nuwer. The activities of this mega-herbivore diversify plant life and create prime grazing spots for other animals.
… and poorer Rachel Nuwer | 6th April 2014 Comment Natural World Africa Ecology …
Protestors will gather on Saturday at the Chinese Embassy in London to call for an end to the global ivory trade, writes Dominic Dyer. But it's not just China - the UK must also pay its part to save Africa's elephants.
… a future! Dominic Dyer | 24th January 2014 Comment Elephants Poaching Africa Ivory …
Modern technology has a lot to offer small farmers in poor countries, writes Tony Juniper - just not the GMOs and pesticides that are widely touted. But how about film, digital communications and smart phones? These new media can empower farmers and allow them to share knowledge and experience of how to produce more, from less.
… thinking of Tony Juniper | 18th November 2014 Comment Farming India Africa Development …
As England chokes in Level 10 smog, Rob MacKenzie says we shouldn't worry too much about headline-grabbing sand from the Sahara. Far more insidious and damaging to health are the fumes from our own cars and lorries.
… our problems Rob MacKenzie | 3rd March 2014 Comment Pollution Transport Health Africa …
Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta, Limagrain are among the companies to buy into Africa's indigenous seed companies. It's all part of the corporate takeover of the continent's agriculture at the expense of the small farmers who feed most of Africa's people.
… subsidise the multinational seed industry" , commented AFSA. Big biotech taking key stakes …
A farming revolution is under way in Africa, pushed by giant corporations and the UK's aid budget. It will surely be good for the global economy, writes Sophie Morlin-Yron, but will Africa's small farmers see the benefit?
… profits." As Graciela Romero of War on Want commented in The Ecologist last week, it is …
Across Africa, corporations are grabbing community land and water - and nowhere more than in Liberia, where half the country has already been lost. But one community has shown it's possible to overcome intimidation, organize and resist.
… "All they have done is try to divide us" , commented Deyeatee. "They offer important …
Plastic waste, often burning, is a constant companion in Gambia, a poor country where few enjoy formal rubbish collection, writes Louise Hunt. Now a pioneering project to upcycle waste plastic is beginning to tackle the problem - and in the process enhancing women's social and economic status.
… millions Its chair of trustees, Mike Webster, comments: "There are over three billion people …