Pacific islands must build capacity for their own environmental monitoring to tackle both local and global problems, says Ben Ponia.

Improving access to information technology can help communities assess their own vulnerability and boost local planning, says John Waugh.

South-East Asia has suffered from neglecting planning for disasters. Governments must heed the warnings and act now, argues Crispin Maslog.

The proposed UN World Environment Organisation is badly needed to give poor countries a strong voice in green policy, says Zakri Abdul Hamid.

Cities face many social, economic and environmental challenges, and must facilitate innovation to cope with them, says an editorial in Nature Geoscience.

Population forecasts may be based on unrealistic assumptions of demographic change in the developing world, warns Carl Haub.

The current drought in northern Kenya has deep roots in the current practices of pastoralists that need to be addressed, says conservationist David Western.

Combined strategies are needed to meet the world's rising demands for food without further damage to biodiversity, says Jason Clay.

Assessments of bioenergy must consider the potential benefits for rural development and food security, say Lee R. Lynd and Jeremy Woods.

The distinction between native and non-native species is "counterproductive" — we must focus on function, argue Marc Davis and colleagues.

We need a "new agriculture" and "new conservation" to feed the world's population and protect ecosystems, says Achim Steiner.

A more integrated approach to managing the Lower Mekong River Basin could set an example for future river projects, say R. Edward Grumbine and Jianchu Xu.

Countries must put aside cynicism and differing opinions to make the Nagoya protocol a success, say Suneetha Subramanian and Govindan Parayil.

A proposed GM policy sent to members of COMESA could make approval of GM crops much easier says an editorial in Nature.

China must protect its coasts to replenish biodiversity and increase CO2 absorption, say Jiang Gaoming, Dou Guanyi and Chen Bosen.

Coping with climate change requires a greater understanding of the options for water storage, writes hydrology expert Matthew McCartney.

Policymakers must find flexible plans to ensure water security despite the uncertainties of climate change, says climate scientist Mark New.

A team of agriculture and environment experts, led by Jeffrey Sachs, call for a global network to monitor the world's farming systems.

The cost of industrial accidents should be borne by the corporations responsible, says Centre for Science and Environment head Sunita Narain.

A global, independent panel will build scientific capacity and raise awareness of biodiversity change, says an editorial in Nature.