Wasting the savanna

In recent years, as governments have begun to protect tropical forests because of the carbon they store, other vast tropical ecosystems have come under increasing threat. These are the wet savannas, which have a mix of grasses, trees and shrubs and receive enough rainfall to grow crops.

Paul Ryan loves talking about poverty, but he keeps getting the basic facts wrong

is back to talking about poverty, taking to CBS’s Face the Nation this past weekend to lay out his plans for tackling it. Some of his ideas on the topic are worthwhile — he’s right that the Earned Income Tax Credit needs to be increased — and the fact that a major national politician has taken an interest in the topic at all is a cheering development.

Global Food Security Act a critical step forward in ending hunger

If Congress passes the Global Food Security Act of 2015, it will be taking a critical step toward ending global hunger and malnutrition in our lifetime. Food security — and the underlying political, economic and environmental stability that make it possible — is a prerequisite for sustained development and stable societies. Yet there are several countries, even entire regions, that face the triple threat of conflict, climate change and vulnerability to natural disasters that threaten the food security and income stability of millions.