WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS?: AN ANALYSIS OF THE GLOBAL PERFORMANCE OF GM CROPS (1996-2006). Friends of the Earth International, January 2007.This report seeks to answer two questions: What benefits have genetically modified (GM) crops brought the world? And for whom? Presenting studies of GM crops in the United States, GM soybeans in South America, and GM cotton around the world, the report concludes that the main beneficiaries of GM crops are the corporations that market them, particularly Monsanto. GM crops have increased pesticide use, are becoming increasingly unsustainable, and have not helped to alleviate poverty or hunger. The report can be viewed online at http://www.foei.org.
STATE OF THE WORLD 2007: AN URBAN PLANET. By the Worldwatch Institute, , December 2006. The 24th edition of the Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World pays particular attention to city studies, because in 2007 the world’s population will shift from being mostly rural to mostly urban. Already, one in three urbanites live in slums and the world’s most developed city centers already abuse limited resources. Order online from http://www.earthscan.co.uk/
POLICY SPACE: ARE WTO RULES PREVENTING DEVELOPMENT? By Sheila Page. Overseas Development Institute Briefing Paper, January 2007. The principal areas where trade agreements restrict developing countries are tariffs, TRIPs, and investment. This short brief examines the need for "policy space" by developing nations and the WTO rules that, in some cases, have limited development options. The brief can be viewed at http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/briefing/bp_jan07_policy_space_wto.pdf.