If you have a relevant resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in this section, please forward a copy or review by the BRIDGES staff to Marianne Jacobsen.
"From Ocean to Aquarium: The Global Trade in Marine Ornamental Species," by Colette Wabnitz, Michelle Taylor, Edmund Green and Tries Razak (UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series No 17, 2003). This report takes a look at the aquarium trade industry. A potential source of income for communities living close to coral reefs, the aquarium trade has been heavily criticised for the use of unsustainable collection techniques and poor husbandry practices. Policy makers have been faced with something of a dilemma in trying to control the environmentally undesirable aspects of the industry without risking the economic incentive, which aquarium fishers have in caring for the coral reefs that provide their livelihoods. Through linking trade data to what is known about the life histories of the target organisms, conservation priorities and management recommendations are identified.
SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE PROVISION AND PRICING OF WATER SERVICES. By the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. This book examines social issues related to the provision and pricing of household water services. Properly designed water management policies can contribute to both environmental and economic goals, but may face resistance due to the perceived negative social impacts for some stakeholders. Given the importance of household water supply and sanitation services for social welfare, these social dimensions need to be taken into account when key policy decisions are made regarding the provision of water services. For further information, contact: email: sales@oecd.org.
CAPTURING CARBON AND CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY: A MARKET APPROACH. Edited by Ian Swingland. This book looks at an alternative market-based approach to reduce carbon emissions, save the planet from global warming, conserve biodiversity, create sustainable livelihoods and save money. It addresses the issue by making a case for the maximum use of carbon sinks, particularly in the developing world.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: VOICES OF THE SOUTH AND NORTH. Released by CABI Publishing. The book had its genesis at a March 2002 conference by the same name in Alexandria, Egypt. Its many contributors discuss biotechnology applications in the fields of human health, agriculture, and the environment and discuss ethical, institutional, regulatory, and socio-economic issues associated with the technology. The book’s goal is to identify "ways and means" by which biotechnology can serve humanity and improve the livelihoods of poor people. Contributors include Gordon Conway of the Rockefeller Foundation and M. A. Madkour of Egypt’s Agriculture Genetic Engineering Research Institute.
"Market Opportunities For African Agriculture: An Examination Of Demand-Side Constraints On Agricultural Growth," released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). This paper explores market opportunities for growth in Africa’s agricultural sector. It states that rapid growth in African agriculture must be central to any poverty reduction plan, but it cautions that investments aimed at increasing agricultural productivity need to be linked to market opportunities if they are not to depress commodity prices and farm incomes.
"Paying for environmental stewardship: using markets and common-pool property to reduce rural poverty while enhancing conservation," by J. Shilling and J. Osha. for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and published by Brent Nordstrom. This report identifies key issues and international experiences in using markets and common-pool property to reduce rural poverty and enhance resource conservation. The cases cited in this report demonstrate that it is possible to create markets for environmental stewardship to benefit local communities, and help to identify how these opportunities can be developed.
"Genetically Modified Crops and Sustainable Poverty Alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa," published by Third World Network Africa. It argues that genetically modified (GM) crops are "relatively ineffective and expensive" for improving African agriculture. The report assesses three GM crops: Bt cotton, which is being cultivated in South Africa, and GM sweet potato and maize, which are both under development in Kenya. The report evaluates whether each of the three crops meets standards of being: 1) demand driven; 2) site specific; 3) poverty focused; 4) cost effective; 5) institutionally sustainable; and 6) environmentally sustainable.
ENVIRONMENTALLY HARMFUL SUBSIDIES: POLICY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES. By the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. This report contains the proceedings of the OECD Workshop on Environmentally Harmful Subsidies (Paris, 7-8 November 2002). The workshop brought together, for the first time, academic, industry and government experts on subsidies to agriculture, fisheries, energy, industry, transport, forestry and water resources - to take stock of both the available information on subsidies and current understanding of their environmental impacts.
"Interpreting Para 6: Deal on Patents and Access to Drugs," by K.Ravi Srinivas in ECONOMIC&POLITICAL WEEKLY, Vol. 38 No. 38. Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration, recognising the need to ensure adequate and affordable supplies of needed drugs in countries which do not have manufacturing capacities while protecting the rights of patent-holders, had directed the TRIPS Council to find an expeditious solution. The solution came on the eve of the Cancun meeting. How is it likely to affect developing countries? For further information, email: krsriniv@indiana.edu.
Electronic
ORIGIN - ORGANIZATION FOR AN INTERNATIONAL GEORGRAPHIC INDICATIONS NETWORK. Launched in Geneva in June 2003, ORIGIN was created to connect a growing number of countries interested in geographical indications (GI). Geographical Indications allow the protection of product names that are unique because of their origin and specific production techniques. Conceived as a network for exchanging information among producers of GIs worldwide, ORIGIN’s goal is two-fold: 1) promote geographical indications as an instrument of development and protection for local knowledge; 2) demand better protection at the international level for Geographic Indicators.
"Invasive Alien Species: a toolkit of best prevention and management practice," Citation by R. Wittenberg and M.J.W. Cock. This online toolkit was developed using comments and experience of participants in a number of conferences. The toolkit is intended to be global in its applicability, although there is a small island focus, recognizing that the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity is greater in small island systems. The authors state that the toolkit will need to be locally adapted for different countries or regions.
Vacancies
INTERNSHIPS ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WORK FOR PROGRAMME ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT. The South Centre as institution of the South seeks to promote the development of the technical and intellectual capacities of professionals from developing countries. Accordingly, the Centre offers internship opportunities in the context of its work on trade and development.