Recognising common ground is the first step towards concrete ways of enhancing the work of both scientists and development practitioners.

Campaigners for food security must include science in their goals — and in return scientists need to heed wider concerns around solutions.

With disputes about the quality of exports on the rise, developing countries need to boost scientific capacity to win claims, says Joel D. Adriano.

Stronger links between scientific tools and the environment in which they operate can improve the effectiveness of early warning.

A pledge to increase support for biodiversity targets in developing countries is welcome, but care for indigenous people is vital too.

A greater commitment to multidisciplinary research, and to local problem solving, is essential to achieving future development goals.

Last week's summit has confirmed that sustainable development will only be achieved through the political leadership of developing countries.

The message from Rio+20 is for practical action to deliver existing targets. Scientists must identify and overcome barriers to change.

Efforts to promote sustainable development must tap into technologies developed locally, driven by community needs and priorities.

A meeting in London this week will show whether science can not only diagnose our environmental crisis but also provide effective solutions.

Management of marine resources for sustainable development needs local capacity for science, particularly in the Pacific region.

A new intergovernmental panel would not be the best way of tackling the multifaceted challenges of sustainable development.

Science journalists must help to root out misleading scientific claims, but not without sensitivity to culture and the limitations of science.

Yet more failure to make much progress on climate change in Durban means that developing countries must exert stronger political pressure.

Next year's Rio+20 meeting must put science-based innovation at the heart of the development agenda. But the real battle will be political.

The Horn of Africa drought exposes the continuing gap between our ability to predict disaster and to take effective humanitarian action.

Biosafety is important, but so is ensuring that GM crops benefit the rural poor and that decisions are based on sound science.

The world still needs nuclear power — but it must be safer and more transparent.

Recent protests over food prices underline a key message from a new report about the potential dangers of neglecting agricultural research.