tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156362182012-02-01T14:47:40.739+02:00A service of the Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Library to stakeholders in the management of Botswana's Okavango Delta region. ORI is a research centre of the University of Botswana.Monica Morrison at OKACOM Secretariathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900666913849662642noreply@blogger.comBlogger15241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-58998647361429177682012-02-01T07:08:00.003+02:002012-02-01T07:21:03.738+02:00

In this book, the author, Mark Lynas posits that although we humans are God species, paradoxically, we are both creators and destroyers of life. The author explains that there are nine planetary boundaries that humanity must not cross if Earth is to continue to support life and our civilisation. Although climate change is one, others like ocean acidification, nitogen use and biodiversity loss-are

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-77519034713735507312012-01-30T06:27:00.001+02:002012-01-30T06:28:13.541+02:00

According to Pete Hancock of BirdLife, Botswana, plans to get the Okavango Delta listed as a UNESCO World Heritage are well under way. A committee comprising Bird Life Botswana, Government departments, the Okavango Research Institute and the Botswana Tourism Board is producing an extensive dossier that outlines why the unique region qualifies as being of "outstanding universal value". In the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-62123588300779247052012-01-26T10:02:00.003+02:002012-01-26T10:10:10.019+02:00

Scientist know that uncertainty is intrinsic to science and that not all questions can be answered with 100 per cent certainty and even widely accepted theories can be challenged by new evidence. However, non-scientists — and that includes most policymakers — are less aware of this. Rather, policymakers look to scientists for definitive answers that help them make decisions. So how can you give

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-86013650043415893372012-01-25T08:43:00.003+02:002012-01-25T09:02:17.891+02:00

According to research, the prospective ethanol yield from brown seaweed is approximately two times higher than that from sugarcane and five times higher than maize, from the same area of cultivation. But its full potential cannot be reached because of the inability of industrial microbes to break down alginate, one of the three most abundant sugars in brown seaweed, commonly known as kelp, which

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-44446991368930233972012-01-24T07:28:00.003+02:002012-01-24T07:35:47.209+02:00

The preservation of biodiversity can reduce the impacts of climate change and desertification on drylands according to a study on dryland biodiversity and ecosystems. In turn, this would help protect the livelihoods of more than a third of the global population. Drylands occupy more than 40 per cent of the global land surface. They host around a fifth of the major centres of global plant

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-45146456843037555642012-01-23T07:10:00.008+02:002012-01-23T07:20:03.874+02:00

A new book "Global Change: Impacts on Water and Food SecurityInternational from Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) addresses the urgent call for smart policy and investment solutions to the developing world’s 21st century water resource quantity and quality challenges. The book also examines the interplay between globalization, water management, and food security, and recommends innovative

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-63575753410219898542012-01-20T09:23:00.003+02:002012-01-20T09:34:03.286+02:00

According to agroforestry experts, current climate models and projections may be inaccurate because measurements are based on guidelines that do not include the effects of trees on the local climate. In a book titled , "How people and trees can co-adapt to climate change, by World Agroforestry Centre, trees can influence many of the climate factors predicted by modelling, and their effects should

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-86681869240169928912012-01-19T07:20:00.007+02:002012-01-19T07:35:31.817+02:00

The overcrowding of the most popular of area of the Chobe National Park has been a concern for years. Statistics show that over 75 vehicles enter the Chobe National Park through its Sedudu gate every day. These include day trippers from neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia, safari goers from lodges and camps in Kasane and Kazungula.Although most safari companies want something to be done

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-12131026709964161122012-01-18T09:09:00.010+02:002012-01-18T10:12:05.320+02:00

It was a sombre moment last evening as staff and students of ORI bade their farewell to ORI Director, Professor Susan Ringrose. "Sue, as she was affectionately known, is an accomplished and well known scholar, and has published extensively both locally and internationally. In the words of those who spoke, she will be remembered "for her humility, approachable manner and unassuming nature". A long

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-91960059834218294492012-01-17T07:22:00.003+02:002012-01-17T07:27:47.854+02:00

Projects and initiatives which demonstrate the current innovations and challenges to carbon, water, biodiversity payments for ecosystem services (PES) implementation in Africa are featured in this booklet. It is hoped that this publication, (coupled with training sessions, policy advice, legal analysis, and network building) will enable community leaders, government actors, NGO technical staff,

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-55574563231397679272012-01-16T11:44:00.006+02:002012-01-24T08:33:24.759+02:00

ORI Senior Research Scholar, K. Mosepele featured as one of the guest speakers at ACP Fish II Networking meeting and reception at SADC premises in Gaborone. His presentation under the theme "Floodplain fisheries management, issues, debates and challenges: the case of the Okavango Delta", was one of the two presentations made. The second one was done by Dr Peter Britz - Professor in the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-76614341287177911642012-01-13T07:09:00.005+02:002012-01-13T09:15:42.193+02:00

This study aims to identify regions in the Zambezi River Basin in Southern Africa that are prone to risk of violent conflicts [collective violence, popular unrest] induced by climatic changes/variability. This region covers Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia. Besides the ecological impact, the study argues that socio-econom- ic and political problems are

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-22461371584504378842012-01-12T09:11:00.004+02:002012-01-12T09:37:36.469+02:00

An ensemble of climate and weather simulations could help developing countries better prepare for extreme events such as tropical cyclones, droughts and floods, scientists have said. Many poorer countries rely on traditional weather forecasting techniques, in which an initial set of weather conditions is fed into a single model to predict future adverse events, typically one or two days ahead.

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-38079151353648576742012-01-11T07:08:00.004+02:002012-01-11T07:12:09.425+02:00

ORI welcomes another new member of staff, Ms Oarabile Mogobe who recently joined the Institute as a Scientist. Prior to joining ORI, Ms Mogobe worked for the Department of Agricultural Research in the Analytical Laboratory for over 25 years as a Research scientist and also Head of Laboratories. Her work was concentrated on method development and running of the analytical laboratory. A graduate of

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-88307780859473037102012-01-10T09:14:00.008+02:002012-01-10T10:35:00.970+02:00

With the establishment of two science and technology bodies to provide oversight of the country's research and development (R&D), Botswana hopes its research system will be better coordinated and funded . The Botswana National Research, Development and Innovation Coordinating Council (BNRDCC), will focus on funding strategies for adequate implementation of the country's research, development and

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-27341696462062794972012-01-09T07:57:00.003+02:002012-01-09T08:03:30.216+02:00

According to the World Tourism Organization, “The development of sustainable tourism requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building. The manual combines standard market-based analyses with socio-cultural, natural resource use and environmental assessments. It not only gives you

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-53278618126367974592012-01-06T09:34:00.006+02:002012-01-06T09:43:32.961+02:00

With the expansion of the human population, new ways are sought to feed it. The oceans have always been a rich source of sustenance, but given the rising demand and overfishing depleting their bounty, governments the world over are turning to mariculture, the farming of marine life in order to fill the pantry. However the question on everyone's mind is what are its effects on the environment. In

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-62400570459403343952012-01-05T08:59:00.007+02:002012-01-05T09:07:25.002+02:00

According to Leslie Chan, director of Bioline International, the developing world is not well served by traditional research publishing, but can break new ground with open access. Free and unrestricted access to research results and publications, known as open access (OA), is key to speeding up scientific discovery. There is also growing evidence that OA maximises the impact of research through

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-69908580587704497152012-01-04T08:43:00.005+02:002012-01-04T08:55:38.687+02:00

A study has found that traditional farming methods are crucial for protecting a number of threatened bird species in the developing world, including bustards, cranes, ibises and vultures .The study found 29 bird species threatened by the decline of traditional agriculture in developing countries. This number could be much higher if all organisms, rather than just birds, are considered, as

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-58254389515899723152011-12-08T09:42:00.012+02:002011-12-08T11:14:40.287+02:00

Yesterday evening, the book Dada Coex'Are Qgam:I dont know why I was created / by Ann Gollifer and Jenny Egner was launched in Maun. Ann Gollifer, one of the artists, was well acquainted with Dada and the book covers the life of Dada,one of Botswana’s most renowned artists and records conversations and interviews with her over a period of 17 years. It is filled with lavish illustrations of her

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-26667849405346556542011-12-07T06:28:00.006+02:002011-12-07T06:40:18.807+02:00

The publication "The right to water and water rights in a changing world" has recemtly been published, with contributions from various authors each addressing the issues of how to address global and climate change when dealing with water rights and the right to water. These are: The right to water and water rights in a changing world/ by Marguerite de Chaisemartin, Charlotte Herman and Michael

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-47207598409630954082011-12-06T06:24:00.009+02:002011-12-06T06:32:37.898+02:00

The AfriHealth Conference held ecently in Nairobi claims that importing or copying the latest 'e-health' technology from developed countries may not be the best way forward for health services in Africa. A focus on high-tech healthcare solutions could come at the expense of basic prevention such as access to clean water and sanitation, good nutrition and hygiene, and health education. In a

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-71010368870921526582011-12-05T08:32:00.003+02:002011-12-05T09:42:21.545+02:00

Global progress in both preventing and treating HIV emphasizes the benefits of sustaining investment in HIV/AIDS over the longer term. The latest report by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and UNAIDS Report on the Global HIV/AIDS Response indicates that increased access to HIV services resulted in a 15% reduction of new infections over the past decade and a 22% decline in AIDS-related

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-79290454219513396532011-12-02T09:52:00.003+02:002011-12-02T10:16:58.788+02:00

According to an OECD report, research and development (R&D) incentives are an important policy instrument to help countries adapt to climate change. Without "more ambitious policies", greenhouse gas emissions will increase to almost 685 parts per million (ppm) by 2050. This is well above the 450 ppm required to maintain the global temperature rise at two degrees Celsius, widely considered to be a

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-59038255086128386652011-12-01T09:43:00.008+02:002011-12-01T10:26:05.463+02:00

Dr. Md Anawar Hossain recently joined ORI as a a Research Scholar in Biogeochemistry. He earned Masters in Chemistry, 2nd Masters in Earth Science from Nagoya University and Ph.D. in Environmental Geochemistry from Niigata University (Japan). He was postdoctoral fellow, visiting professor and researcher in Wits University, Instituto Tecnologico e Nuclear (Portugal), IRNASA (Spain), Charles

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-37210826952462498972011-11-30T09:20:00.003+02:002011-11-30T09:26:56.870+02:00

Representatives from a number of the world's top science research organisations have endorsed a call for a universal code of conduct on the rights, freedom and responsibilities of scientific workers, demanding that such a code be recognised by, and built into, the legislation of individual countries. This call was part of a declaration that was adopted by participants at the recently ended World

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-13686200064868197072011-11-29T09:32:00.005+02:002011-11-29T10:06:12.317+02:00

This second edition of Thari Yabana brings together research and reflections on children's issue in Botswana. However, the issues themselves are not unique to Botswana and thus the findings reported in this publication will also benefit children in other countries. The publication is divided into the following five sections: young child survival, child development, child protection, HIV and AIDS

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-55286311879601451452011-11-28T07:46:00.005+02:002011-11-28T07:52:24.964+02:00

Recently, Africa turned the tables by insisting that "aid effectiveness" should become "development effectiveness" and it looks like it has won the debate. This is not a matter of semantics. Africa insists Africa should lead in decisions about where, how and when aid should be applied. It also insists that "no country in the world has developed by targeting poverty", which has been the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-7763460433887801332011-11-24T06:42:00.003+02:002011-11-24T06:52:35.575+02:00

The Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA), a joint UN initiative, has launched a survey aimed at prioritizing research objectives. PROVIA aims to create an interface between the scientific community and decision makers involved in vulnerability, impacts and adaptation issues, and improve the availability and accessibility of such knowledge. Survey

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-14058954142676028222011-11-23T10:43:00.003+02:002011-11-23T10:52:00.411+02:00

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have released a publication on lessons learned through the Climate Change Adaptation and Development Programme (CC DARE). This publication provides a variety of concrete solutions to move countries and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development. It demonstrates how integrating

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-14074177372661925532011-11-22T08:15:00.003+02:002011-11-22T08:21:29.955+02:00

The report shows that current aid is not reaching the people who need it the most – people living in poor rural communities and urban slums. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is predicted that the MDG target will not be reached for another 200 years. •Dirty water and inadequate sanitation cost sub-Saharan Africa around 5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) every year. •The human cost is even starker –

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-20576081264981723552011-11-21T08:43:00.002+02:002011-11-21T08:51:32.402+02:00

Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are an increasingly promoted approach to conservation. They seek to develop financial mechanisms that create economic incentives for the maintenance of ecosystems and associated biodiversity by rewarding those who are responsible for provision of ecological services. However, there are few cases in which such schemes have been used as a strategy for

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-57448758767783563582011-11-18T12:27:00.007+02:002011-11-18T12:39:26.453+02:00

This report explores how local water resources can be managed successfully by community-based institutions in support of state-level initiatives, where they exist. It follows 12 months of close collaboration between Oxfam GB and WaterAid, who are jointly promoting Community-Based Water Resource Management, which emphasises that the potential for monitoring and managing water resources at local or

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-3706431438552928562011-11-17T09:17:00.002+02:002011-11-17T09:23:44.977+02:00

According to a new report from the African Development Bank, Africa’s population is ageing, just like in the rest of the world, but the continent’s governments are not equipped to handle the growing number of older people. The percentage of people aged over 65 in Africa has grown to 3.6 percent in 2010 from 3.3 percent in 2000. And it is a long-term phenomenon. There has been a steady increase

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-17211731313400856592011-11-16T07:57:00.004+02:002011-11-16T10:31:10.418+02:00

Scientists and policymakers from Africa, Argentina, Brazil, and France have called for better scientific cooperation and capacity building in the drylands with an eye on putting the drylands agenda on the UN Rio+20 summit agenda next year. Participants at the Fight Against Desertification in Africa conference in Niger (24–25 October) invited world leaders who will take part in the UN Conference

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-35415145057473275562011-11-15T07:52:00.004+02:002011-11-15T08:00:41.690+02:00

African cities and villages will soon have access to detailed data on how climate change may affect them . The Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), an initiative of the World Meteorological Organization and the World Climate Research Programme, aims to provide localised projections about impacts of climate change. It will feed into the next assessment report of the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-32210076833063602132011-11-14T11:53:00.003+02:002011-11-14T11:57:14.539+02:00

Tourism is the world’s largest industry and accounts for more than 10% of total employment, 11% of global GDP, and total tourist trips are predicted to increase to 1.6 billion by 2020. On the one hand, inappropriate tourism development and practice can degrade habitats and landscapes, deplete natural resources, and generate waste and pollution. However, on the other hand, responsible tourism can

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-14114690617276462062011-11-11T08:32:00.006+02:002011-11-11T08:48:37.470+02:00

This book provides an understanding of the various levels at which NRM issues occur and are being addressed scientifically, economically, socially and politically. The book’s nine chapters present state-of-the-art perspectives within a holistic African context. The book systematically navigates the tricky landscape of integrated NRM, with special reference to Eastern and Southern Africa, against

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-63681572511332536642011-11-10T11:40:00.005+02:002011-11-10T11:56:23.878+02:00

This morning, ORI Research Scholar, Dr Lin Cassidy delivered a seminar on "Understanding Household Connectivity and Resilience in Marginal Rural Communities through Social Network Analysis in Habu Village, Botswana", in which she examined resilience and vulnerability seen as the positive and negative dimensions of adaptability. However, poor, marginal rural communities confronted with the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-169069537585559152011-11-09T08:39:00.005+02:002011-11-09T08:46:04.374+02:00

New figures indicate that a functioning research environment is more important than higher salaries or bursts of extra training for getting good quality results out of scientists. Only when a good working environment was in place, did salary or the short-term training interventions favoured by donors and non-governmental organisations, influence productivity, according to Catherine Ragasa,

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-26760769941119003252011-11-08T14:16:00.002+02:002011-11-08T14:23:17.530+02:00

According to a study by ICRAF, thousands of smallholder farmers in southern Africa are adopting fast-growing trees and shrubs to fertilise their fields naturally, for improved yields and incomes. Fertiliser trees, such as the acacia tree, capture nitrogen from the air and transfer it to the soil in a process known as nitrogen-fixing. This restores nutrients and increases crop productivity, with

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-17765711926839983152011-11-07T10:03:00.006+02:002011-11-07T10:09:05.264+02:00

Plants can resist herbivore damage through three broad mechanisms: antixenosis, antibiosis and tolerance. Antixenosis is the degree to which the plant is avoided when the herbivore is able to select other plants. To assess their resistance to spittlebugs, plants are vegetatively-propagated by stem cuttings and allowed to grow for approximately one month, allowing the growth of superficial roots

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-11752826868534275562011-11-04T08:06:00.005+02:002011-11-04T08:18:25.517+02:00

According to Graham Durant, director of Questacon, Australia's National Science and Technology Centre, there are few science centres that offer hands-on experience for young people in Africa. These centres have grown rapidly in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, as the value of hands-on experiential learning in science has been recognised. However, Africa has yet to see a similar expansion.

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-51762435507845055982011-11-03T07:29:00.004+02:002011-11-03T07:35:42.870+02:00

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has released its Strategic Framework for 2011-2015. One of the five strategic objectives of the Framework ia about improving resiliency for rural populations to environmental degradation and market transformation, with a focus on both climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Framework, a response to a global context characterized by

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-58037334158945613722011-11-02T08:14:00.008+02:002011-11-02T08:28:48.468+02:00

Horticulture farmers in Botswana have called on the government to fund research and development (R&D) in the sector to increase its productivity and the quality of its outputs. At the Botswana Horticultural conference held last month in Gaborone, representatives from the Botswana Horticultural Council said that lack of plant breeds adapted to the country's climatic conditions is hurting

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-76070384177842321182011-11-01T07:41:00.005+02:002011-11-01T07:51:44.313+02:00

To overcome the barriers and deal with a changing health situation on the continent, African health scientists need more funding and support according to the the World Health Summit held in Berlin, Germany recently. Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS, are expected to decline while non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, will

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-87338083511157800382011-10-31T10:44:00.002+02:002011-10-31T10:50:16.974+02:00

This publication provides a thorough overview of what knowledge translation (KT) is and how to use it most effectively to bridge the “know–do” gap between research, policy, practice, and people. It presents the theories, tools, and strategies required to encourage and enable evidence-informed decision-making. Drawing from the experience of specialists in relevant disciplines around the world, The

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-6863751247798319932011-10-28T08:08:00.006+02:002011-10-28T08:17:40.528+02:00

Scientists have warned that some animals and plants may shrink in size because of climate change over the next century, threatening food security and human livelihoods. Climate change will lead to higher temperatures and a decrease in rainfall, which, along with the increase in carbon dioxide levels will reduce the growth of a range of crops and protein sources, such as fish, that are crucial for

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-57245285427593322132011-10-27T08:01:00.005+02:002011-10-27T08:11:27.362+02:00

A study has found that poor farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa could benefit from wider distribution of certified tree seeds to boost the quality of agroforestry schemes. Agroforestry — the practice of integrating trees into agricultural landscapes — can improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. But many of the trees planted do not reach their yield potential because of the poor quality of seed

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-33120526213390200882011-10-19T09:18:00.004+02:002011-10-19T09:54:07.573+02:00

The latest issue of Farming Matters has considered a number of issues pertaining to food security. Articles show that regional food systems can contribute to increasing food security while at the same time benefiting the environment and increasing the autonomy of farmers. These articles are available at:http://www.agriculturesnetwork.org/magazines/global/regional-food-systems

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-40421970058147418622011-10-18T14:15:00.004+02:002011-10-18T14:34:14.770+02:00

This booklet is aimed at providing guidance on the policy related to water-related disease surveillance developed by the Task Force on Water-related Disease Surveillance established under the 1992 Convention on Protection and Use of Transboundary Waters and International Lakes. The guidance explains countries’ legal obligations related to disease surveillance under the Protocol and other

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-36475975040140439142011-10-17T08:41:00.003+02:002011-10-17T08:59:01.984+02:00

This document outlines the major areas of scope whereby the mainstreaming strategy will address the underlying root causes, threats and drivers that affect the achievement of twin conservation and livelihoods goals. These include: Forests and habitat, species, wildlife trade and crime control, freshwater and wetland conservation, response to climate change impact and adaptation measures, and good

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-25709269889059005972011-10-14T10:36:00.009+02:002011-10-14T11:16:52.911+02:00

The future Okavango Project (TFO) held a three day information exchange and discussion workshop between more than 130 researchers and stakeholders from Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Germany at Maun Lodge, Botswana from the 11 - 13 October 2011. The workshop was held under the theme, "Incorporating stakeholder involvement and consolidating interdisciplinary initiatives and planning the interim

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-42690249488840218592011-10-12T07:25:00.004+02:002011-10-12T07:39:32.988+02:00

A report titled “Climate Change and Tourism Policy in OECD Countries,” has just been released by UNEP, and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In it, they warn that which unless resource-efficient policies are developed, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the tourism industry will double over the next 25 years. One of the key findings of the report is that national

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-56266218122017283022011-10-11T09:11:00.005+02:002011-10-11T09:23:15.145+02:00

With the volatility of the food prices which seems is likely to continue and possibly increase, more poor farmers, consumers and countries will be more vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity. Small, import-dependent countries, particularly in Africa, are especially at risk. Many of them still face severe problems following the world food and economic crises of 2006-2008, the UN Food and

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-26630833481030977722011-10-10T09:54:00.005+02:002011-10-10T10:02:50.336+02:00

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has released its September 2011 newsletter, which describes the Global Biofuel Information Tool (GBIT) developed by CIFOR, which attempts to consolidate national data on biofuels, alongside data on key commercial biofuel investments, and data on areas under development. CIFOR is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-45867605266545481182011-10-07T07:49:00.005+02:002011-10-07T08:13:54.844+02:00

When are displaced due to conflict or human rights abuses, women often adopt new strategies to provide for themselves and their families. CPC partner the Women's Refugee Commission is working to determine whether programs set up to provide women with safe, alternative livelihoods do in fact reduce their risk of exposure to violence. Without economic opportunities, women resort to dangerous and

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-2011513593230592192011-10-06T09:14:00.011+02:002011-10-06T09:29:12.344+02:00

ORI welcomes a new member of staff, Mr. Donald Mboma who joins the Library from Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing in Ramotswa. Prior to that, Mr. Mboma was studying with the University of Botswana Library and Information Studies Department. Welcome to ORI.

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-27881901713076243232011-10-05T08:55:00.005+02:002011-10-05T10:21:37.801+02:00

The book "Clumsy floodplains:responsive land policy for extreme floods" by Thomas Hartmann describes how spatial planning can be used to minimise the extensive damage caused floods in floodplains. He maintains that although water management agencies. policy makers for all agree on this challenge, attempts to make space for rivers to provide retention are generally not very successful. Adopting an

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-85500092701406580322011-10-04T07:44:00.010+02:002011-10-04T07:59:18.088+02:00

According to a series of studies preented at 14th World Water Congress in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil there is enough water in the world's rivers to meet the demands of the expanding global population, but the rivers have to be better managed. The main problem for water use is not scarcity but inefficient use of supplies because of poor governance and regulation. According to Simon Cook, leader of

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-13355426833031692082011-10-03T09:29:00.005+02:002011-10-03T09:36:08.949+02:00

Trophy hunting and ecotourism are important forms of sustainable utilisation in the human-impacted, working landscapes outside of formal parks and reserves. Research on the sustainability of such tourism operations, however, has focused on the financial viability of tourism operators, rather than environmental effects. The report examines the sustainability strength of wildlife utilisation on

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-84122097017941561322011-09-28T07:36:00.003+02:002011-09-28T07:46:15.804+02:00

The policy brief presents some key observations from an analysis of the processes towards emergence of similar cross-national biosafety systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The promises and challenges of modern biotechnology are as widely acknowledged as they are contested, raising the stakes for efforts to develop systems for governing the technology. The article is available here.

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-85734152717481996152011-09-27T07:36:00.006+02:002011-09-27T07:49:22.616+02:00

Researchers who work in developing countries are increasingly being asked by funders to demonstrate that their findings are being taken up in policy and practice. The author suggets that one way this can be done is by building relationships with highly influential individuals, often referred to as 'policy entrepreneurs'. Policy analysis research has repeatedly shown that well-placed,

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-77873477891912379772011-09-26T07:50:00.023+02:002011-09-26T08:08:58.858+02:00

OKACOM representatives joined water specialists and officials from the SADC region in Maseru, Lesotho last week at the annual meeting of SADC water Minsters. A focus of the meeting was formal announcement of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Agreement after six of the eight countries that share the Zambezi river basin completed their ratification processes and successfully deposited

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-16947165394319612812011-09-23T10:40:00.006+02:002011-09-23T10:48:24.947+02:00

Improved transboundary water management (TWM) can bring benefits for poor people living within shared basins. This report examines how power asymmetry mediates the relationship between TWM and poverty reduction. The message is clear for those designing and leading TWM policy and projects and that is failure to engage the basin hegemon constructively will hamper effective TWM cooperation, but the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-12908699088180432882011-09-22T08:36:00.015+02:002011-09-22T09:11:32.797+02:00

In the latest ORI seminar series , Professor Daniel Conley from the Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Lund University made a presentation titled, "Global Biogeochemical Si Cycle". The second presentation was a collaboration of Dr. Eric Struyf from the University of Antwerp, Department of Biology and Professor D. Conley on " Emerging understanding of the biological silica filter". The

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-89073901751089024862011-09-21T09:01:00.009+02:002011-09-21T09:49:45.415+02:00

From the Botswana Government Gazette, Vol. XLIX, no. 49, 26 August, 2011 Application for water rights:Motopi Trading Store-draw off Boteti River at Makalamabedi Farms( Central District)-20m3 per day for game watering; Popagano Syndicate-Borehole at Xareng-18.2m3 per day for domestic use; Lepaletswe Joseph Masedi -river draw off Thamalakane at Thamalakane/Koromo (North West District) - 200 m3 per

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-5627262020223901422011-09-20T07:18:00.007+02:002011-09-20T07:37:29.664+02:00

According to a report published on traditional medicine on the continent, the number of African countries with national policies on traditional medicine increased almost fivefold 2001 and 2010, The report, published by WHO, Regional Committee for Africa two weeks ago , also found that the number of countries with strategic plans for traditional medicine increased from zero to 18 in the same

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-60491380062973302372011-09-19T08:05:00.008+02:002011-09-19T08:23:26.951+02:00

This report gives an overview of the linkages between ecosystems, water, and food security. Furthermore, it explores how to manage ecosystems for a variety of ecosystem services such as provisioning of water and food, and how to manage ecosystems in a sustainable way so they can substantially contribute to enhancing current and future food security and generate regulatory services such as the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-77303522978851926172011-09-16T11:24:00.010+02:002011-09-16T12:09:32.875+02:00

Professor Henson the Dean of International Relations of the University of Essex (UK) visited ORI today, where he gave a seminar on how ORI can participate in the Global Alliance which will form part of a small Global Alliance of universities that also includes the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, the State University of Campinas in Brazil, and the University of Konstanz in Germany. In his

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-65155891986426021912011-09-15T09:53:00.014+02:002011-09-15T10:08:03.314+02:00

Dr. Demel Teketay Fanta, a Research Scholar at ORI, has recently been double-promoted to Associate Professor rank. Prof. Fanta who received his PhD from the Faculty of Forestry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, has previously worked at various capacities in different institutions prior to joining the institute as a Plant Ecologist in July 2009, i.e. the first African Regional Director

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-19591127229714636002011-09-14T09:13:00.002+02:002011-09-14T09:18:00.892+02:00

Predictions say that by 2020, most people will not be doing their work with software running on a general-purpose PC. Instead, they will work in Internet-based applications such as Google Docs, and in applications run from smartphones. The majority of technology experts and stakeholders participating in the fourth Future of the Internet survey claim that by 2020 most people will access software

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-33415395495600669012011-09-13T08:47:00.009+02:002011-09-13T09:06:28.414+02:00

Last week, ORI Research Scholar , Dr Oluwatoyin Kolawole presented a seminar on " Soils, science and the politics of knowledge: Some critical issues in the global debates on integrated soil fertility management in Sub-Saharan Africa". The paper identified and addressed institutional framings of soil fertility problem in SSA. Furthermore, he analysed the political economy [and ecology] of soil

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-83184821954614786252011-09-12T15:44:00.004+02:002011-09-12T15:52:27.790+02:00

SADC's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Implementation Framework to Support Climate Change Response was adopted by the region's science ministers in May. The SADC document describes activities in four areas where STI is crucial to tackling climate change: observation and monitoring; impacts, vulnerability and risks; mitigation; and adaptation.The plan also focuses on identifying sectors

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-41807037777488580652011-09-09T08:54:00.009+02:002011-09-09T09:04:31.720+02:00

This report, prepared by the World Water Assessment Programme under UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), assesses global freshwater resources including what drives the pressures facing them, how water is used, climate change's future effects on water supplies and options for improving water management for sustainable development. It also highlights the increasing demand

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-85809549242276874962011-09-08T09:20:00.005+02:002011-09-08T09:25:12.290+02:00

The National Biodiversity Indicators Portal is the leading resource for information on national biodiversity indicators. It provides guidance and examples to support the development and effective use of biodiversity indicators. These capacity building resources are the product of more than five years of experience by UNEP-WCMC and the BIP. It is designed principally to support biodiversity

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-76251653784314960062011-09-07T07:34:00.004+02:002011-09-07T07:40:25.403+02:00

Botswana is developing a policy to protect, preserve and promote its indigenous knowledge and mainstream it into the country's macro-economic framework. Development of the policy will involve identifying, documenting and gathering local traditional knowledge practices from areas including agriculture, health, culture and religious beliefs, and then feeding them into a legislative framework.

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-21229742378283706052011-09-06T07:47:00.006+02:002011-09-06T07:53:12.343+02:00

A controversial method for extracting natural gas known as hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking' is stirring an environmental and property rights debate in South Africa. The controversy comes out of concerns over the safety of the technology, which uses large amounts of clean water mixed with sand and various chemicals to crack the rocks underground to release the gas. Various reports from the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-68562890047682917982011-09-05T08:29:00.003+02:002011-09-05T08:37:19.717+02:00

In this book, the authors aim to contribute to the understanding of best practices in tourist destination governance and to benchmark and advance ways of theorising these practices. Tourism is recognised as as complicated multi-sectoral activities with numerous stakeholders and with diverse and divergent goals and objectives. For this reason, achieving cooperation and collaboration amongst these

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-51784594786929934552011-09-02T09:00:00.000+02:002011-09-02T09:00:01.355+02:00

OKACOM Executive Secretary Dr Eben Chonguiça at seminar A joint Twin2Go/Global Water System Project (GWSP), Global Water Partnership (GWP) and UNESCO-International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Seminar at the World Water Week in Stockholm on August 25th raised adaptive water governance issues. OKACOM Executive Secretary Dr Eben Chonguiça participated in the seminar, titled Governing Water Wisely

Monica Morrison at OKACOM Secretariathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900666913849662642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-58589604498064308042011-09-02T08:35:00.004+02:002011-09-02T08:56:54.827+02:00

During the period of 2009-2010 several parts of the world have experienced remarkably extreme meteorological events. In the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, the 2009-2011 floods were unexpectedly high, reaching magnitudes last seen 30-40 years ago, and considerably affecting life of local populations and the economically important tourism industry.In his seminar presentation, Climatic and

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-26370431848343175172011-09-01T12:49:00.004+02:002011-09-01T12:54:22.258+02:00

With climate changes, the effects of forest diseases on forest ecosystems will change. The authors discuss four types of forest and disease management tactics – monitoring, forecasting, planning and mitigation – and provide case studies of yellow-cedar decline and sudden aspen decline to illustrate how forest diseases might be managed in the face of climate change. The uncertainties inherent to

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-37836306058173051122011-08-31T09:30:00.009+02:002011-08-31T11:32:10.502+02:00

Nqobizitha Siziba, a Carnegie-RISE funded PhD student received the 2011 Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Leading Student Publisher accolade at a ceremony held at the Institute yesterday. The three papers published by different journals won him the award funded by the Deputy Director Research Management, Professor Moses Chimbari. Speaking at the launch of the award, Prof Chimbari indicated

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-46782119369302812312011-08-30T09:55:00.002+02:002011-08-30T10:10:06.142+02:00

A meeting bringing together members of the Scientific Committee in charge of the pedagogical use of the eight volumes collection of the General History of Africa, has been arranged by UNESCO from the 4-9th Septemder in Harare, Zimbabwe. The meeting will draw 65 experts from 36 countries in Africa and its diaspora (USA, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, France.The purpose of this meeting is to

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-51235249358210715122011-08-27T11:54:00.004+02:002011-08-27T13:03:01.421+02:00

This guide aims to mainstream climate change education into curricula lesson plans and programs. It provides an introduction and overview for education planners and practitioners on the wide range of issues relating to climate change and climate change education, including causes, impacts, mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as some broad political and economic principals. This guide

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-44862357790154902692011-08-24T10:46:00.003+02:002011-08-24T11:11:47.473+02:00

The 2011 report on Climate Risk Index (CRI) has revealed that less developed countries are generally more affected by the impacts of weather-related events than industrialised countries. The Global Climate Risk Index 2011 analyses the extent to which countries have been affected by storms, floods, heat waves and other weather induced occurrences using data collected during the 1990-2009 period.

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-9987214677399226422011-08-23T09:23:00.004+02:002011-08-23T10:23:13.897+02:00

Remote sensing based climate and flood warning technology is being introduced to upgrade flood management. This project will help build the capacity of Pakistan Meteorological Department and other agencies responsible for flood forecasting, early warning and management at the national, provincial and district levels. This could be a milestone in achieving the better capacity to mitigate extreme

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-91947651393336773752011-08-22T11:15:00.004+02:002011-08-22T11:35:46.765+02:00

This paper gives an analysis of the mortality and economic loss risk for three weather-related hazards: tropical cyclones, floods and landslides. In addition new insights have been gained into other hazards such as earthquakes, tsunami and drought. Available at: http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/report/documents/GAR_Chapter_2_2009_eng.pdf

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-33552285744382838662011-08-19T15:46:00.006+02:002011-08-19T16:08:48.317+02:00

This paper dicusses the challenges and achievements of the water reform in Zimbabwe and how the reform's objectives are being met. It also looks at the prospects for re-engaging with the water reform vis-à-vis rural livelihood improvement in a post-crisis period. It is suggested that a realistic attempt to re-engage with water reform policy aimed at improving rural livelihoods in a post-crisis

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-10946584219399952072011-08-18T09:11:00.006+02:002011-08-18T10:12:45.316+02:00

Human populations are greatly affected by environmental pollution. This paper provides the insight into the effects of environment pollution in the perspective of air pollution, water, soil and waste pollution on humans, animals and trees/ plants. This article is available at:http://www.researchersworld.com/vol2/issue2/Paper_23.pdf

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-71713838473061147032011-08-17T13:30:00.006+02:002011-08-17T14:00:41.138+02:00

The CSIS project on Global water Policy presented recommendations and conclusions in a report entitled, “Making Progress on Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Challenges,” on March 21, 2011. Sessions at the forum focused on the role of the private sector in water supply; achieving operational sustainability; the relevance of climate change adaptation programs for the WASH sector; and

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-83500874765874947492011-08-16T08:22:00.006+02:002011-08-16T08:51:12.343+02:00

Statistics appear to indicate that flood events are becoming more frequent. Recent flood events in Pakistan, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Australia show floods can sometimes overwhelm even the best prepared countries and cities. Due to the large uncertainties in projections of climate change, adaptation to the changing risk needs to be flexible to a wide range of future scenarios. This article is

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-35311423025184190282011-08-15T11:17:00.004+02:002011-08-15T11:40:25.273+02:00

This report summarises existing knowledge of climate change impacts on water services and health; the nature and effectiveness of the policy response; and the coverage and gaps in existing assessments of these themes.Among its four chapters, Chapter 3 overviews and analyses the policy landscape to clarify whether current policies can meet the needs arising from climate change and identify gaps

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-10949485117836698642011-08-10T12:05:00.009+02:002011-08-10T12:45:18.852+02:00

The Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA) through its Southern African Resource Watch (SARW) and economic justice Programme is to undertake a 3 year project , "promoting social and environmental accountability in the Southern African mining sector. The aim of the project is to provide a clear understanding of the potential biodiversity risks associated with mining development in the

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-91394500059827119002011-08-09T08:34:00.004+02:002011-08-09T08:45:50.839+02:00

In this article, Steve Nicol a marine biologist maintains that whales just donot eat fish, they make the oceans far richer. He goes on to say that large animals like whales play a critical role in enhancing the productivity of the seas. By removing them, we have made the oceans a much poorer place. Read more of this article in the New Scientist available in the ORI Library.

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-29152502247610987152011-08-08T14:14:00.008+02:002011-08-08T14:32:19.832+02:00

The Oxford Centre for Tropical Forests (OCTF)will host an international conference to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the effects of climate change and deforestation on the fate of African tropical forests in the 21st century. Papers which explore the following issues are encouraged, namely; - What are the potential scenarios of climate change and land use change for African forest

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-76331720788475245362011-08-05T13:56:00.004+02:002011-08-06T09:58:09.084+02:00

Another new member of staff to ORI is Dr Leo Braack, who will be dealing with Entomology as well as Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases. Leo started off his career as a Research Scientist in the Kruger National Park of South Africa, in time becoming Head of Research, then asked by the three governments to become the first International Coordinator for what is now known as the Great Limpopo

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-79112549846359068312011-08-04T10:28:00.009+02:002011-08-04T11:04:46.179+02:00

Dr.Lucas Pius Rutina, has just joined ORI as a Research Scholar in Wildlife Ecology and Management (Carnivores) .A Phd holder in wildlife ecology from the Agricultural University of Norway, Dr. Rutina has worked for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in different capacities namely, as a Biologist Researcher and later as Regional Wildlife Coordinator. His interest lie in how to use

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-74152388436809810822011-08-03T09:28:00.008+02:002011-08-03T10:03:42.198+02:00

The report highlights the barriers and issues that must be tackled for minority and indigenous women to realize full economic, social and political equality. It includes compelling depictions of the experiences of women belonging to marginalized and dispossessed populations, who are often uprooted from their lands and communities due to discriminatory government policies, the impact of armed

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15636218.post-30506232263698526822011-08-02T08:17:00.002+02:002011-08-02T08:24:09.494+02:00

This brief argues that water resource management should not be overlooked in plans for climate change adaptation in Africa since it is vulnerable to climate change impacts which are, in large part, connected by water. Rainfall is uneven and unpredictable across different parts of the continent and varies dramatically by season. These variations can bring about floods and severe droughts that can

ORI Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18013709459755554583noreply@blogger.com0