Following the recent Conference of Parties to the Convention on Climate Change in Buenos Aires, this issue presents a range of articles which explore the links with forests.
How does climate change affect forests and the livelihoods of people dependent upon them? The articles by Priya Deshingkar and David Newbery form two pieces of the puzzle, which is still far from complete.
Margaret Skutsch, Pedro Moura Cost and Eveline Trines and Adalberto Gortiz approach the issue from another angle: How is the Convention on Climate Change likely to affect forestry and forests? Which opportunities present themselves, and how may they be harnessed to serve the needs of all concerned, in an equitable and fair way?
The report on deforestation hotspots, by Frédéric Achard et al., certainly illustrates how urgently we need creative thinking, and action, to successfully conserve biodiversity, and address local needs and aspirations.
The Leuser Development Programme is one of the examples where people are endeavouring to put this into practice.
The Internet Features and Publications announcements in this issue point to further information on climate change and forests.
I hope you will enjoy this issue, and that it may catalyse new initiatives and cooperation.
Many thanks to the readers who have sent us comments. We are always happy to receive both comments and contributions, so please do not hesitate to write.
Best wishes for 1999!
Willemine Brinkman