Famine Hits Drought-Ridden Afghanistan: "Drought and a lack of adequate food have led to an economic and social disaster in Afghanistan, where some girls as young as 7 are sold into marriage so their families can afford to eat, according to a report by a famine expert."

Water crisis hits Rajasthan: " As India's desert state of Rajasthan reels under searing daytime temperatures, a severe water crisis has hit many districts of the state."

Mistaking Trees for a Forest: "Southern timber harvest replaces hardwoods with rows of pines. Critics decry loss of habitat but industry says the practice spares wild areas."

New Program Helps Protect Asian Elephants Through Crop-Raiding Prevention: " team of scientists from the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and members of local groups and communities have launched a unique initiative designed to reduce crop raiding by the world's largest garden pest - the endangered Asian elephant. Using a variety of methods including natural guard towers, tripwires, and a harmless-but-fiery chili juice, the team is looking to reduce elephant-human conflicts, which often result in extensive crop damage, human injury, and death to the elephants."

USDA Opens Reserve Land for Grazing: "Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman opened land in seven Western states for emergency grazing Wednesday to help ranchers enduring severe drought conditions."

Smart growth called wave of the future: "In the strongest showing yet of a grass-roots movement for smart growth in Massachusetts, more than 400 people gathered yesterday in Boston to start work on a new strategy for managing future development in Eastern Massachusetts."

UN report sees extinction threat: "A quarter of the world's mammal species - from tigers to rhinos - could face extinction within 30 years, and millions of people could suffer severe water shortages unless firm political action is taken to protect the environment, the United Nations said yesterday. "

Environmental Experts Ask Tourists to Show the Way: "Leading figures in the environmental and conservation world are calling upon UK tourists and tourism organizations to nominate sensitive tourism projects that they have visited on holiday in the UK and abroad."

Britain to Build Biggest Wind Farm: "The government Thursday granted approval to build what will be Britain's biggest wind farm with the capability to generate electricity for 40,000 homes."

Japan offers drought stricken Taiwan water: "Japan's southernmost province of Okinawa has offered neighbouring Taiwan tons of free water as it suffers its worst drought in years."