(Picture from UNESCO)

Not in a very energetic writing mood today, so here's a round-up of sustainable development news for you today:

*World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz merges infrastructure and environmental units into one sustainable development unit.

*The Worldwatch Institute has a poll up on biofuels as well as this report on biofuels for transportation. The IEA warns: "World not on course for sustainable energy future" and says that world energy consumption could be cut by half if clean technology is applied.

*Ramiro Ramirez at Al-Hayat asks: "Is anybody willing to do something about climate change?"

*Cosmetics leader L'Oréal publishes 2005 Sustainable Development Report.

*Rapid urbanisation in Vietnam leads to calls for strategic planning.

*Central Africa's First Debt-for-Nature Swap Invests $25 Million for Tropical Forest Conservation in Cameroon.

*The International Crisis Group surveys sudan's fragile peace agreement.

*Foolishblog looks at architecture for the poor.

*Green Economics has an interesting graph about how coverage of global warming issues in the New York Times peaked around the year 2000 and then fell off dramtically after that.

*In Niger, understanding cultural traditions is important when promoting sustainable development.

*One Earth, One Life reports on how to save the Amazon.

*Global Warming, the U.S., India and Gandhi at Desicritics.

*Highlights from the recent World Urban Forum can be found here.

*Latin American journalists interested in conducting research on sustainable development topics have until August 8 to submit a proposal for grant support from the AVINA Foundation. From the IJN.