Researchers discuss the concept and feasibility of reconciling economic growth with the environment (UNEP)

“Green Economy” is often used to describe the compatibility of economic growth with the environment, one of the blocks for sustainable growth. According to the Green Economy an initiative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) launched in 2008, the green economy results in improvement of human welfare and social equality, while reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcity.
Despite being used for more than 20 years, the term of “green economy” is still controversial, as well as its own concept. While for some it is perfectly possible for the more critical it would be an attempt to feasible the consumer society and postpone structural changes.

China dream: a lifestyle movement with sustainability at its heart

By Peggy Liu
The Guardian – It is hard to imagine that China could one day lead the world in going green when you look at the smog-filled skies that are everyday reality there. The government knows that energy fuels the growth of nations, and that China’s dependence on foreign energy imports creates a national security risk. People, both rich and poor, are worried about pollution-induced cancers in villages and babies dying from consuming toxic milk…>>Read More<<

Source and Photo: The Guardian, June 13th, 2012
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Is it agriculture’s time to shine in Rio?

By Vanessa Meadu
Climate Change – A coalition of agriculture research and development organisations is working hard to put food and farming front-and-centre in next month’s Rio+20 conference, where world leaders will decide on the future framework for sustainable development.

Twenty years ago, the first United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development helped give birth to major international environmental treaties such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The 1992 meeting also shaped international and national discourse and environmental policies, and helped root the concept of sustainable development firmly into the mainstream. While even the UN environment chief has ‘mixed’ feelings as to whether the world has indeed achieved the goals laid out in 1992, it is certain that this year’s conference will help shape how sustainable development policies unfold for the next generation. Sustainable agriculture must not be left out.The agricultural organisations, which together are hosting the 4th Agriculture and Rural Development Day in Rio on 18 June, want to ensure that sustainable agriculture is embedded into an overall sustainable development approach, contributing to the ‘green economy’, to poverty eradication and to food security….. >>Complete article<<

Source and Photo: Climate Change, May 25th, 2012
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