A global partnership is needed to tackle the desertification that degrades more than 12m hectares of arable land every year, affecting some of the poorest and most food-insecure people

Fiona Harvey

Giving the poor access to electricity would bring huge gains in health, education and economic growth, with little increase in emmissions, according to International Energy Agency study

JUSTIN GILLIS

Trying to tap into the best thinking about the future of global agriculture, as I have tried to do in my work as a reporter, can be an exercise in frustration. Many groups and many bright people go at the problem, but not many of them go at it in a holistic way.

Global Life Expectancy

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide from Mauna Loa, Hawaii from IPY III (1957-58) to IPY IV (2007-2009)

Also known as the "Keeling Curve"

You might not know this (most people don’t,) but 2007-2008 is an International Polar Year (IPY). More than 60 countries, including the U.S., have developed large-scale polar research projects that rely heavily on international coordination and collaboration.

40% of the world will live in water-scarce regions by 2025

Accessible, Clean Freshwater Is a Small Fraction of Total Global Water Resources

We have a full plate of issues cartoon.

Global Population growth over the last 500 years -- with regional breakouts

cartoon global issues