(Photo from the UK's Environment Agency)

So far I haven't touched much on climate change and global warming, but this is an extremely important part of the future of international development. While there are certainly debates on future severity, how much is man caused, and what the solutions might be, and I don't see anything wrong with that, only as long as people take into account that it is actually happening and try to plan for that future.

Below are a number of stories about how groups and individuals are dealing with climate change, some for the better, some for the worse:

*Are these the Ten Worst Corportations of 2005? British Petroleum (BP), Delphi, Dupont, ExxonMobil, Ford, Halliburton, KPMG, Roche, Suez, and W.R. Grace. Do you agree? Let us know in the comment section below.

*From Spiegel Online, a story on how insurance policies -- not donations -- might help starving people in the Third World. There are also questions about its effectiveness.

*As gas prices rise, biodiesel pump opens in Kansas City.

*From May 3 to 6, the Forest Leadership Forum will take place in Portland. The hope is join together action-oriented global leaders in business, environment and society to help them align business practices in ways that achieve environmental, social and financial results.

*And from May 7 to 9 the Sustainable Energy Forum 2006 will bring together scientists, policymakers and advocates from government, environmental NGO's and civil society groups to identify the challenges and opportunities for a sustainable energy future. Register here.

*Food businesses must positively address issues of sustainable development, says a new PricewaterhouseCoopers report.

*Oxfam and other progressive interest groups are finally embracing the private sector's role in development, according to TCS Daily.

*Greenpeace is checking out how polar bears are dealing with climate change. Meanwhile, Walrus calves are being stranded on melting sea ice.

*India is embracing wind energy, says SouthAsiaBiz.

*Can organic farming feed us all? The Worldwatch Institute takes a look.

*Unsustainable: Weyerhaeuser found to be marketing clear cut wood as "environmentally friendly" ...

*Rebuilding New Orleans the wrong way.

*The International Rice Research Institute is helping to breed flood and drought resistant rice in order to ensure a more stable food supply for Asia. If the breeds are successful, one way to help implement this to farmers on the local level would be through microloans.