Is fair trade just for socially conscious yuppies or does it really help producers?

An ambitious new Brazilian plan seeks to reduce deforestation rates by nearly three-quarters by 2017. Yet the proposal’s release coincides with news of rising deforestation levels.

Ottawa plans for October elections with some polls indicating the Conservative Party could gain a political majority for the first time in 20 years. While energy, the environment, and economy serve as major issues in the race, questions arise over the election's timing. 

Just months after the appointment of a new environment minister, Brazil takes new strides to rein in deforestation.

Brazil announced repercussions for illegal land use in the Amazon following reports of a jump in deforestation rates, fueled by surging food prices. Yet rising costs present an opportunity for responsible land use incentives.

In the Southern Cone and Antarctica, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called climate change "an emergency." But controversy continues over UN statements about biofuels as a threat to food production. A Viewpoints Americas article urges solutions to promote agricultural sustainability.

Director-General of the Brazilian Institute for International Trade Negotiations Andre Nassar links agricultural production to environmental sustainability, and calls for new policies to guarantee food supplies and bioenergy.