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Scientific American is the world's premier magazine of scientific discovery and technological innovation for the general public. Readers turn to it for a deep understanding of how science and technology can influence human affairs and illuminate the natural world. Its readers are not primarily scientists; to the extent that they have technical backgrounds, they read Scientific American for…

To integrate the principles, values and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning and to enhance the profi le of education and learning in sustainable development, the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) was launched in 2005. The vision of the DESD is to create a world in which everyone has the opportunity to benefi t from education and…

With more lands around the world facing increasing deterioration and degradation, the United Nations General Assembly declared the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight Against Desertification (UNDDD), which will run from January 2010 to December 2020 to promote action that will protect the drylands. The Decade is an opportunity to make critical changes to secure the long-term ability…

This website brings together descriptions and explanations of the project's »research themes, their application in the »study sites and the »key messages and practical guidlines for responsible land use that have been synthesised from the results for all those interested in combating desertification locally, nationally and internationally.The DESIRE project was co-funded by the European…

The Gender and Land Rights Database (GLRD) was launched by FAO in 2010 to highlight the major political, legal and cultural factors that influence the realisation of women’s land rights throughout the world. It also serves as a platform to address, discuss and provide information about gender and land issues with the support of 84 Country Profiles, Land Tenure Statistics disaggregated by…

Arable land is a vital resource for humankind. Cultivation of this land generates food to meet the daily needs of the world’s population. This land is limited and the area is constantly shrinking—2 ha/inhabitant in 1900 versus 0.4 in 2010— due to the impact of human activities and population growth. Arable land is not a naturally renewable resource on the time scale of human evolution and is…