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This document is a summary of the Manager's substitute amendment for S. 2191, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008, released on May 21, 2008.

In a 2019 commencement speech at Olin College of Engineering, Amory Lovins outlines the concept of "applied hope," which RMI uses as a framework for creating tangible, scalable solutions to global crises. Lovins distinguishes applied hope from passive optimism, arguing that the most effective way to improve the future is through practical action, integrative design, and resource efficiency to transition away from fossil fuels and environmental degradation.

The 2008 Micropower Database provides an independent assessment of global capacity and electrical output for micropower—defined as all renewables excluding large hydro and cogeneration—covering historical data from 1990 to 2005 or 2006 and forecasts through 2010.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs, authored by ZESN chairperson Dr Reginald Matchaba-Hove, argues that Zimbabwe's March 2005 parliamentary elections were not free and fair. Despite some improvements following the adoption of SADC democratic principles, the author identifies 13 dimensions of unfairness, ranging from a weak electoral commission and repressive legislation to discrepancies in vote counting and gerrymandering.

A case study on the Borough of Dolphin Coast municipality's private sector water and sanitation concession involving Siza and SAUR Services, highlighting financial instability, uneven service delivery, and public health risks.

This research paper describes the severe economic collapse of Zimbabwe in early 2004, characterized by hyperinflation, high unemployment, and a breakdown of productive capacity. It examines the failure of emergency currency auctions introduced by the reserve bank to stabilize the economy amidst political instability and the collapse of the agricultural sector.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the impact of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and draws lessons from previous disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone, to guide recovery and build long-term resilience.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines recommendations to improve the use of climate science for 'anticipatory adaptation' in Africa. It emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between climate scientists and decision-makers, enhance local technical capacity for downscaling climate models, and leverage existing regional networks and platforms to manage climate change risks.

The research paper examines the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) trilateral coalition, highlighting its shift from purely political goals, such as UN Security Council reform, toward pragmatic economic and social cooperation. While the coalition seeks to enhance south-south trade and technology exchange, the author notes that these countries remain heavily dependent on northern markets and investment.

This research paper examines the socio-economic conditions of border communities between South Africa and Mozambique, highlighting how poverty, restrictive legislation, and corruption fuel organised crime and smuggling networks involving sugar, alcohol, and salt across Southern Africa.

This research paper examines the role of transnational organised crime networks and 'middlemen' in fueling African conflicts through the illicit trade of weapons and natural resources. Using the case studies of Leonid Minin and Victor Bout, the document highlights the sophistication of these networks, their use of front companies and tax havens, and the systemic failures of international law enforcement and national legislation to prosecute sanctions-busting activities.

This research paper examines the relationship between governance, corruption, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa, arguing that while good governance may not be the primary driver for short-term investment—particularly in resource-rich nations—it is essential for long-term economic stability and resource management.

This report provides an analysis of the parliament of Lesotho, covering its composition, electoral system, and the role of the political opposition, concluding with recommendations from Professor Francis K Makoa.

This research paper argues that Africa is vulnerable to global Islamist terrorism and that the African Union (AU) has failed to implement its counter-terrorism frameworks. The author highlights the underfunding and understaffing of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism in Algiers and proposes a practical, incremental strategy for building capacity based on the specific strengths of key states and regional organisations.

This document provides a brief historical overview of Mozambique's transition from a one-party state to a democracy, beginning with the 1990 constitution and the 1992 General Peace Agreement.

The Mauritius Country Report examines the country's Westminster-style parliamentary system, electoral model, and the interactions between parliamentarians, the executive, and civil society, while providing a conceptual overview of the parliamentary opposition.

This research paper argues that the legitimacy of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the flagship programme of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), is threatened by a lack of transparency and government control over the review process. The author contends that for the APRM to succeed in providing home-grown solutions for Africa, governments must ensure civil society leads the governing structures and that the self-assessment process is inclusive and independent.

This research paper argues that Nigeria's implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an offshoot of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), has been marred by government manipulation, poor planning, and a lack of genuine civil society involvement. The author suggests that the transition to President Yar’adua's administration provides an opportunity to restore the process's credibility by decoupling the finalization of the Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) and the Programme of Action (PoA) from government control.

This research paper argues that sub-Saharan Africa's underdevelopment is caused by the mismanagement of economic surpluses by political elites and a structural power imbalance between these elites and private sector producers. The author contends that the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) fails to address this fundamental malaise and suggests that true development requires redistributing political power to producers through land ownership reform, direct market access, and independent financial institutions.

This research paper examines the crisis of road infrastructure decay across Africa, highlighting the gap between maintenance needs and available national budgets, the resulting economic losses, and various funding and management strategies being tested to address the deficit.