Wetlands Alliance BLog Entries
This is the Wetlands Alliance BLog Entries - a blog space for current articles, research, and podcasts related to the work of the Wetlands Alliance.
Climate Change - The Root of all Evil?
Written by Theo Ebbers Friday, 27 May 2011 12:50
As pointed out in one of my previous forum posts climate change is increasingly seen as the core of all development problems. Climate Change is blamed for the heat and the cold, for too much of rain and too less of rain, for failed harvests, floods, storms and other disasters - and soon probably as the main driver of poverty.
Climate Change is becoming a convenient excuse for conveniently overlooking other human causes of environmental change, such as the clearing of forests, the damming of rivers and irresponsible, unsustainable irrigation practices, the conversion of food crop production to industrial crops etc.
This linked article discusses these issues in the context of Cambodia and questions the lack of analytical efforts from aid agencies and donors to address the root causes of developmental problems.
During one of my recent field visits to Cambodia I learned from a local farmer that if he cuts trees, the climate will even get hotter. he got that knowledge from one of the countless training courses on Climate Change impacts and adaptation.
Unfortunately, such "capacity building" for climate change adaptation is not restricted to Cambodia and becomes more and more common in all Southeast Asian Countries.
Wouldn't it be nice, if all these efforts were extended to "teach" the farmer how to increase the quantity and quality of farm output, enhance access to finance and build linkages with market where the products can be sold at a fair price?
Read:
Air conditioners and other absurdities
Add a commentMeasuring poverty, its reduction and development
Written by Theo Ebbers Thursday, 26 May 2011 12:25
The increasing number of tools and approaches to measure development is probably nothing more than a reflection of the myriad definitions of development. For years, the use of macroeconomic indicators such as GDP have been discredited, but they are still widely used.
The linked article "How would you measure development progress?" introduces a range of new approaches, tried out and tested by various development organizations and governments.
With this post, we would like to pass on this question to our visitors and to our Alliance partners and re-phrase the article's last paragraph:
What do you make of these different tools? Which of these might be appropriate for the Alliance to measure poverty and the impacts the Alliance has on its reduction?
How would you define and measure progress?
Tell us what you think.
Add a comment
Collaboration on ICT for poverty reduction in Laos
Written by Hans Guttman Thursday, 28 April 2011 10:48
Do the poor benefit from conservation?
Written by Theo Ebbers Tuesday, 26 April 2011 14:02
Recognition of the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for poverty alleviation and development is growing rapidly. However, does the protection of these natural riches actually translates into improved well-being for poor local populations?
This article in the conservation magazine highlights the dispute about whether and how poor communities are affected by conservation efforts.
It would be interesting to learn from the Alliance partners - and others - about your experiences on this.
Add a commentThe World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development
Written by Theo Ebbers Tuesday, 12 April 2011 19:29
Cambodian prime minister cancels titanium mine project citing impact on biodiversity and local people
Written by Theo Ebbers Tuesday, 12 April 2011 19:19
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