STWR - Share The World's Resources

Blue Planet Prize laureates represented by Dr. Robert Watson presented their joint paper at a meeting held by the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya, warning that abuse of the environment has created an 'absolutely unprecedented' emergency.

The United Nations says urbanisation is now unstoppable and we should prepare to live in the 'endless city' - defined by megaregions linked by urban corridors. But the reality is that the world’s megacities are becoming sprawling megaslums, writes John Vidal.

It's easy to scoff at the Prince's latest 'green' intervention, but if you really look at what he's saying, it's completely cogent, argues John Vidal.

Britain's climate change emissions may be 12% higher than officially stated, according to a National Audit Office investigation which has strongly criticised the government for using two different carbon accounting systems.

Millions of people across the globe still do not have access to clean water and, despite years of promises, that is unlikely to change soon. John Vidal on the failures of privatisation and the resurgence of the public sector.

The true scale of climate change emissions from shipping is almost three times higher than previously believed, according to a leaked UN study seen by the Guardian. It calculates that annual emissions from the world's merchant fleet have already reached 1.12bn tonnes of CO², or nearly 4.5% of all global emissions of the main greenhouse gas.

Many of the largest food and fuel companies risk climate change disaster by driving the demand for palm oil and biofuels grown on the world's greatest peat deposits, a report will say today.

Soaring crop prices and demand for biofuels raise fears of political instability.

· Internal report says mass logging threatens Pygmies
· Findings are embarrassing for British government

The speculative rush to develop gas and oil reserves under the Arctic ice could spell environmental catastrophe farbeyond the pole.

China has overtaken the US as the biggest producer of carbon dioxide, a development that will increase anxiety about its role in driving man-made global warming and will add to pressure on the world's politicians to reach an agreement on climate change that includes the Chinese economy.

Maritime emissions not covered by Kyoto accord. Studies suggest 75% rise in 15 years as trade grows.

Poor sanitation to blame, says World Bank report. Economic growth stalled by environmental factors.

Activists join presidents as annual World Social Forum gets under way in Porto Alegre.