The divisions between developed and developing nations when it comes to combating climate change.

As the economic recession hits hard across the United States, the country’s greenest state, California finds itself caught up in a debate over the cost of going green. On the one hand there those like the Pasadena City officials who are greening their city because they say that doing so actually helps save money. For example they’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars in solar trash compactors because of the fuel and labour savings the bins will generate in the long run. On the other hand, some like Dan Logue, a member of the local assembly, and a group of California State University professors argue that forcing businesses to go green will hurt them financially when they are already struggling in an ailing economy. France 24’s Gallagher Fenwick reports from California.

 

In Africa's Sahel region, almost 400,000 square kilometres of farmland have become uncultivable desert in the last ten years.

Countries like Burkina Faso are suffering not just from climate change, but from mismanagement of the environment. Desertification, over-population, and a lack of land all create tensions, which have been known to spiral into bloodshed among neighbouring communities. A programme's now underway to educate farmers in how to manage conflicts without resorting to violence. Emmanuelle Sodji reports.

 

Finally, Japan wants to take the lead on implementing new energy technologies. Authorities have invested massively in research. They plan for about one-fourth of Japanese households to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells by 2020.”Energy independence is a major priority for Japan. It is a challenge for the state. We bet on nuclear energy, renewable energies and these hydrogen fuel cells. We estimate that, with these three strategies, we can cut our carbon gas emissions by 50% by some time between 2020 and 2030,” notes Tashikazu Masuyama.