The Independent

The battle for water in the drought-hit north of Kenya has sparked tribal conflicts leaving dozens dead in recent weeks and the death toll is growing daily, aid agencies have warned. By Meera Selva

As millions of us prepare to jet off to the slopes, many resorts are finally taking responsibility for the fragile ecosystems they depend on. But, as Simon Birch reports, it may be too little too late

The most potent threats to life on earth - global warming, health pandemics, poverty and armed conflict - could be ended by moves that would unlock $7 trillion - $7,000,000,000,000 (£3.9trn) - of previously untapped wealth, the United Nations claims today. By Philip Thornton

The boom in foreign travel generated by cheaper air fares and no frills airlines will wreck Britain's attempts to bring climate change under control, environmentalists fear. By Martin Hickman

Each nation must find the best use of its resources to sustain civilisation for as long as they can

European governments probably knew that the CIA was flying prisoners across their territory for interrogation and torture in other countries, a report claimed today. By Geoff Meade

The sanitised images of war broadcast on television are a "lethal weapon" masking atrocities which demonstrate that conflict can "never be justified," an Independent debate was told last night. By Ian Herbert

The CIA's recent botched attempt to kill al Qaeda's number two man, Ayman Zawahiri, in Pakistan illustrates why the Bush administration's overly aggressive "war on terror" actually motivates terrorists to attack the United States. By Ivan Eland

Signs of climate change do not confirm that the point of no return has been reached

United Nations sanctions won't work but there's still plenty of time for patient talks. By Gwynne Dyer

The projected cost of cleaning up the sites of Britain's old nuclear power stations is likely to leap to more than £70bn when new figures are published early this year. By Andy McSmith

The worst winter drought for a generation is gripping parts of Britain, leaving reservoirs a third full and forcing water companies to resort to emergency "raids" on rivers to replenish their dwindling reserves. By Cahal Milmo

There are now so many ways to green your life that you've no excuse not to, says Donnachadh McCarthy

Public awareness of climate change is rising. Will 2006 be the year when politicians finally decide to take the issue seriously? By Mark Lynas

Commuters struggled with snow and freezing temperatures yesterday as they tried to return to work after Christmas. By Oliver Duff

The US ambassador in London has been forced into an embarrassing retreat after his embassy clarified comments he made denying that the United States was involved in removing terrorist suspects to Syria. By Colin Brown

Britain and Sweden are the only European countries honouring their Kyoto commitments to cut greenhouse gasses, according to a think-tank report. By Barrie Clement

The mysterious and long-extinct dodo has fascinated the nature world since it disappeared from the planet in the late 17th century. And now a newly discovered mass grave, containing remains of the lost creature, could help scientists learn more about the creature. By Elizabeth Davies

Adnan Ibrahim has a boat in his backyard. Or rather, he has a 100ft ship, several hundred tons of metal, sitting amid the wooden shacks of the Punge district of Banda Aceh and looking as if it was built there as an exhibit. By Marcus Tanner in Banda Aceh

Britain will discard more waste this Christmas than ever before, with an estimated three million tons of rubbish - a tenth of the annual total - accumulated over the next few days. By Martin Hickman

Democracy returns to Afghanistan after 30 years... Chocolate helps reduce the risk of heart disease... House prices are on the rise again... Belfast hosts gay wedding... More trains are running on time... Dramatic fall in the fear of crime... The corncrake returns to Britain's shores...

Prized in the Far East as an aphrodisiac, the abalone is the planet's most sought-after shellfish. It is also the most endangered. But a marine biologist is fighting a one-man battle to save it from extinction. John Lichfield reports from Plouguerneau

After millions of air miles, countless secret meetings, forests of reports and one failed summit, ministers from 150 countries are facing the prospect of failure in their attempt to free world trade and drag millions of people out of extreme poverty. By Philip Thornton

President Bush said yesterday that 'the year 2005 will be a turning point in the history of freedom'. But since the start of the war the days have been littered with unintended consequences. By Anne Penketh

George Bush must not be allowed to stand in the way of a new international agreement to combat climate change, a former Blairite cabinet minister told world leaders. By Andy McSmith

A detailed and disturbing strategy document has revealed an extraordinary American plan to destroy Europe's support for the Kyoto treaty on climate change. By Andrew Buncombe

The unknown mammal photographed deep in the Indonesian jungle is thought to be an unknown species of carnivore. But as Science Editor Steve Connor reports, in the race to classify the world's animals, humankind may be hindered by its own misdeeds

From film stars to senators, from Seattle to the East Coast, campaigners say American public opinion on climate change is turning sharply against the Bush administration and its refusal to impose binding targets to reduce greenhouse gases. By Andrew Buncombe

Tens of thousands of people marched in 33 countries yesterday to express concern for the environment. But will their leaders respond? Geoffrey Lean and David Randall report

New forests could blossom in tropical zones from Brazil to India as one of the more creative ideas produced by the Kyoto protocol begins to bear fruit. Someone has finally hit on a way to make money out of conservation. By Peter Popham