The Guardian: Europe offers to cut emissions 95% by 2050 if deal reached at Copenhagen
Europe attempted to reassert its international leadership in the fight against global warming today, offering to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% by 2050 and by 30% by 2020 if a climate change pact is sealed in Copenhagen. According to The Guardian, Britain, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands supported this view, believing that Europe had more to gain from seizing the leadership in the run-up to Copenhagen. However, Germany and Italy were reluctant to name a figure publicly so early, believing this could weaken the European bargaining position.

New York Times: Experts Worry as Population and Hunger Grow
Scientists and development experts across the globe are racing to increase food production by 50 percent over the next two decades to feed the world’s growing population, yet many doubt their chances despite a broad consensus that enough land, water and expertise exist. Agronomists and development experts who gathered in Rome last week generally agreed that the resources and technical knowledge were available to increase food production, but are unsure whether the food can be grown in the developing world where the hungry can actually get it, at prices they can afford.

Reuters: USDA to play “modest” role in hunger plan-Shah
The U.S. Agriculture Department will play an “important but modest role” in the new U.S. plan to fight world hunger, but will take its lead from developing countries and the State Department, a senior USDA official said on Wednesday. The USDA plans to tap into its own network of scientists as well as researchers funded by grants to help developing countries on agricultural research and education. The Obama administration has said it will make food security a key plank in its foreign policy, and wants to spend $3.5 billion over three years on projects to help farmers boost food production.

Reuters: Global immunizations hit record but miss millions
Global efforts to immunize children against life-threatening diseases set a record high last year but failed to protect millions of youngsters in the world’s poorest countries, health officials said on Wednesday. A joint report by the World Health Organization, United Nations and World Bank provides a snapshot of an immunization boom that has tripled the global vaccine market to $17 billion in eight years and set off a renaissance of vaccine development aimed at AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and dengue fever.