The European Commission plans to use a series of measures aimed at significantly reducing the pay gap between men and women over the next five years.

In the wake of the Copenhagen climate conference, which ended without a clear mandate for global climate protection, the new book Global Sustainability - A Nobel Cause, published by Cambridge University Press, addresses the main lines of conflicts and offers new solutions. The contributing authors - Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry, medicine, economics and peace, top-level political leaders, representatives of major NGOs and renowned experts on sustainability - point out strategies for the stabilisation of the climate and global sustainable development. The open access publication is now available for download.

Should the oil companies be allowed to take advantage of melting ice to drill for more oil in the warming Arctic? Should industrial fishing fleets be allowed to chase the last remnants of fished-out stocks into the areas where ice has previously stopped their ships? We say no: as should anyone who believes you don't put out a fire with gasoline.

In early October 2009, the government unveiled its plan to finalize the overall plan and detailed regulatory design to achieve the medium-term goal of a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The details, including consideration of impacts on citizens'lifestyles and concrete approaches for emission reduction, are to be finalized by the spring of 2010. Written by Junko Edahiro

A report by the European Environment Agency released shows that the European Union and all Member States but one are on track to meet their Kyoto Protocol commitments to limit and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Research vessel Polarstern started its journey from Bremerhaven to its 26th expedition into Antarctica. The expedition consists of four legs and leads Polarstern, operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association, at first to Punta Arenas.

Twenty five million more children will be malnourished in 2050 due to effects of climate change, according to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). This study, the most comprehensive assessment of the impact of climate change on agriculture to date, compares the number of malnourished children in 2050 with and without climate change.

In 1979, German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt stated: "Whoever has visions should go to a doctor." In the same year, Rupert and Christel Neudeck believed: "Whoever has visions should go out and establish Cap Anamur to save boat people from drowning in the South China Sea." To the benefit of ten thousand refugees, the Neudecks turned to the bible rather than official German policy for guidance. As the Old Testament says: "Without a vision the people perish." Laudation of Franz Alt at the Einstein Award.

One sixth of humanity undernourished - more than ever before. World hunger is projected to reach a historic high in 2009 with 1 020 million people going hungry every day, according to new estimates published by FAO.

Global Campaign to Harness Action around the UN Climate Change Conference.