Commentary

12 DEC 2019 5 MIN READ 8 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

The year is 2050, world population has reached 10 billion and the vast majority of people live in cities. The biosphere – for decades under catastrophic pressure – experienced a turn of fortune in 2030, when the sustainable development goals were declared a success. Climate change was halted below 2 degrees. Ecosystem restoration and protection secured degrading ecosystem services and coastlines. Investments in agriculture created resilient supply chains, and financial innovations placed resources in the hands of local communities. The tide was turned.

04 DEC 2019 13 MIN READ

For decades, Somalia has faced recurring famines and food crises resulting from droughts, poor government policies, or inaction amid civil war. Could the country’s fisheries become a beacon of hope for food security and poverty alleviation, despite piracy and poaching revealed by a recent reassessment of fish catches?

03 OCT 2019 11 MIN READ

The Majang people in Ethiopia are facing challenges that resonate through the country’s food production system. Via a mapping exercise, they visualise differences between where development is heading and where the community wants to go, with lessons for agricultural development on a national level.

05 JUN 2019 7 MIN READ 8 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

Large and abrupt changes in forests, coral reefs, and Arctic sea ice are generally driven by climate change, food production, and urbanisation. Managing their causes can reduce the occurrence of these shifts around the world and ensure the well-being of local communities.

02 MAY 2019 11 MIN READ 16 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

Migration is often demonised by the media and politicians but the benefits can outweigh the drawbacks with good governance. Globally, migration is at an all-time high; we discuss how migration can generate surprising gains in support of sustainable development.

04 APR 2019 9 MIN READ

Why do some fishing cooperatives co-manage better than others? Small-scale fishers work with researchers in a new initiative that has the potential to transform the entire fishing sector in Mexico.

21 MAR 2019 15 MIN READ

Over the past decade, green finance has been embraced as a key to the future of sustainable development. Banks, corporations, states, and other financial actors are attracted to this new economic sector, but what are the risks and opportunities? And what’s new?

07 FEB 2019 11 MIN READ 10 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

Development investments often deliver “white elephants” – poorly integrated infrastructure that is left unused. Listening to the ideas of the people who fish, process, and trade fish provides a strong foundation for an alternative model of enhancing fish-based livelihoods.

07 FEB 2019 3 MIN READ

Experiments with solar-powered freezers could lead to future gains for fishers and poor communities. Women’s groups lead the way.

07 FEB 2019 3 MIN READ

An inappropriate blueprint can fail to deliver services, even if a development intervention seems to build on what people are already doing. Fisheries centres in Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands have shown how "blueprint" solutions don’t always work in practice.