Rio+20: Assessing Progress to Date and Future Challenges

In the twenty years since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, our scientific understanding of climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification have improved, but international political efforts to stem the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, slow the rates of biodiversity loss and desertification, and promote sustainable development have met with only limited success. Given the snails pace at which the international negotiations are moving forward (especially in the case of climate change), what other potentials are available? Parallel to international diplomatic efforts, other steps must be taken to meet these pressing global needs.