Constant calls for evidence-based policy miss the underlying politics of knowledge, argues analyst Peter Bille Larsen.

African governments need to boost local efforts to protect endangered species by supporting DNA testing, argues Linda Nordling.

Better navigation and surveillance can help to prevent ships from damaging coral reefs and the need for expensive restoration, says Crispin Maslog.

The new bill is unlikely to achieve its goals without a shift in views about how knowledge is gained and used, says policymaker Arnoldo Ventura.

When it comes to the environment, there is no dialogue between civil society, the scientific community, government and parliament, says Carla Almeida.

Africa's next big science investment should target its oceans, but funding and political support need to be sustained, writes Linda Nordling.

Kenya has bypassed its own biosafety watchdog in banning GM foods, which will stifle balanced debate of GM in Africa, says Linda Nordling.

Instead of limiting imports of electronic waste, the Asia–Pacific region should set up a robust recycling system, says Crispin Maslog.

Dialogue enables scientists and communities to work with uncertain information, say humanitarian policy experts Emma Visman and colleagues.

Cuba's early warning approach holds lessons for other countries, write disaster risk reduction specialists Veronica F. Grasso and José Rubiera.

Scientific research in India needs to integrate better with rural development issues, say Rajeswari S. Raina and Kasturi Mandal.

The Pacific islands are surrounded by water, yet inhabitants face severe water shortages. Crispin Maslog highlights potential solutions.

Ten years after introducing a Biodiversity Act, India is yet to put it to serious use, say Shalini Bhutani and Kanchi Kohli.

Pacific governments should not approve deep-sea mining until more is known about its likely impact, says conservation biologist Mellie Samson Jr.

Two safeguards for communities' rights to resources can help implement the Nagoya Protocol, argues biodiversity specialist Krystyna Swiderska.

South-East Asian nations should follow the Philippines down the path to biotech crops for food security, argues Crispin Maslog.

The protection of mountain ecosystems has been one of the few areas to benefit from Rio+20, says commentator Joydeep Gupta

Algal biofuels, like crops, demand land, water, fertilisers, pesticides and inputs that are costly for India, says Hoysall Chanakya.

Forecast to be underwater by 2050, the Pacific island states must plan for climate adaptation, with global support, urges Crispin Maslog.