Who was Wangari Maathai?

Wangari Maathai was a leading light in African conservation and social enterprise, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts. She was critical in showing people around the world how positive actions could change the environment and people.

More here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15056502

And here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/sep/26/wangari-maathai-kenya?CMP=twt_fd

What is Cuckmere Haven like and how is it managed?

Cuckmere Haven is a well-loved beauty spot on the South coast of England.

The Cuckmere Estuary Partnership seeks a sustainable long-term future for the area.

Can the precious desert woodlands of Peru be preserved?

A plan to replant fragile woodlands in Peru is underway (2009). The plan is to rejuvenate areas of desert forest which have been decimated by human use for things such as firewood.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7934406.stm

What is Palm Oil and how is it threatening the rainforests of southeast Asia?

Palm oil appears in many everyday products. It is a relatively cheap substitute for other ingredients, but carries and environmental cost. Many areas of rainforest have been replaced with monocultures of oil palms, which have a devastating effect on biodiversity, as this clip shows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4NjDAKLxo4&eurl

What problems are associated with Nigeria’s oil industry?

Nigeria has one of the World’s fastest growing populations. Much of its economic growth is based on its vast oil reserves. However, not all of the people are benefitting:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7808670.stm

Will better planning help protect Sumatra’s forests?

The Indonesian authorities have agreed to protect the forests of Sumatra, which have been ravaged by logging (some of it illegal) in past decades. Half has already disappeared and it will interesting to see whether the Indonesian governement’s new comittment will provide the protection that the forests so desperately need:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7662186.stm

What issues surround gold mining in Guatemala?

The global demand for gold has pushed the price higher. What are the benefits and problems associated with increased mining for gold in the developing world? An example from Guatemala:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/7569810.stm

What is life like in a Brazilian gold mine?

This link will take you to a series of pictures that show the day to day trials faced by artisinal miners in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil – how different is it from your life?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/americas_brazilian_gold_mine/html/1.stm