Despite the importance of tropical moist forests for conserving biodiversity and storing carbon, forests continue to fall, because the private benefits of clearing land for agriculture far outweigh tangible economic gains from retaining forests.

With more than two-thirds of the population living in rural areas and dependent (directly or indirectly) on agricultural activities for employment and incomes, agricultural growth and development are essential for the reduction of poverty and hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa.

There is rising skepticism about the potential positive environmental impacts of first generation biofuels. Growing biofuel crops could induce diversion of other crops dedicated to food and feed needs.

Understanding the role that aspirations play in promoting growth requires an understanding of where aspirations come from and how they can be raised through policy.

Movement of people, or migration in the positive sense of the term, contributes positively to the achievement of secure livelihoods, and to the expansion of the scope for poor people to figure out pathways out of poverty.