Armed conflicts not only cause human devastation; they also destroy the environment. Very soon, however, a healthy ecological system could finally begin to be a priority in the post-conflict rehabilitation process.

Despite their environmental policy differences, Canada and the United States will fight climate change together.

• Obama is thinking in green: you will pay for however much you pollute
  por Heike Pintor Pirzkall

In late October, Taoist masters from all over China gathered near the ancient capital of Nanjing to agree on a seven-year plan for climate change action. Meanwhile, the 11 major religions in the world are all coming up with multi-year plans for climate action. The author wonders if this could tip the scales in favour of decisive climate action in China and beyond.

• Ecological challenges: how to move from declarations to actions
  por Ferran Requejo

If a stop is not put to the effects of climate change, and if drought continues to grow in wide stretches of the globe, factors such as hunger, population displacement, imbalance and armed conflict will be intensified. The poorest countries will suffer the harshest consequences, the author says. In this respect, wealthy countries should face their responsibilities.

• Ecological challenges: how to move from declarations to actions
  por Ferran Requejo
• Climate Change Hits the Poorest, Hardest
  por Bernardo Kliksberg

The most important ecologist groups in the United States work with lawyers, scientists, economists and lobbyists inside the political system and the economic establishment; in addition, an alternative movement has developed, which focuses its work on environmental justice, conservation and political impartiality. They all fight to avoid the apathy of the United States society, which is more worried by terrorism and the economic crisis than environmental protection.

These years are decisive: the manner in which the main ecological problems (global warming, deforestation, erosion, soil desertification, the extinction of animal and plant species and the dearth of fresh water) are resolved (or not) will determine the quality of life of future generations. There are countries that have already rolled up their sleeves and gotten to work, but others (such as the United States, Australia and Spain) continue to practice the ostrich strategy; in other words, they hide behind mere rhetoric.

• Environmental lobbies in the United States
  por Heike Pintor Pirzkall
• The Impact of Climate change in Africa
  por Jesús Rivillo Torres

Finally, climate change is at the forefront of the race to the White House in the United States. Among both conservatives and democrats, consensus and awareness that global warming is an issue that must be urgently tackled is growing. Due to this, environmental lobbyists are winning the battle against ecological organizations.

Even though the leading causes of to global warming originated in industrialized countries, the poorest regions, like those in Africa, will be the ones most affected due to their dependence on the presence natural resources that can be greatly affected by climate change.