Every year, China generates 250 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW), or one quarter of the world’s total annual waste.To help deal with this problem, 155 incineration facilities currently operate in China, with an expected 300 facilities to be online by 2015. However, these plants vary drastically in their ability to control pollution and toxic waste from China’s incinerators is occasionally dumped into ponds or landfilled, belying the clean and renewable image promoted by the government. For citizens troubled by a lack of information from the government about incineration plants before and during construction, NGOs and grassroots organizations serve to fill the gap as sources of information, legal services, and advice. more

Few regions in the world have been as unfortunate as Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. The delta’s abundant natural wealth stands in stark contrast to its palpable underdevelopment. The oil sector accounts for approximately 95 percent of Nigeria’s export earnings and over 80 percent of federal government revenue, but for nearly two decades the delta has been mired in conflict and violence that threatens human security and the national economy. more

Blue Ventures' Vik Mohan, Rebecca Hill, and Alasdair Harris argue that their integrated approach, which combines reproductive health with conservation measures in Madagascar, offers communities--and the marine environment on which they depend--the best possible chances of survival. more

Experts review new publications. more