Changes in agricultural land use have important implications for environmental services. Previous studies of agricultural land-use futures have been published indicating large uncertainty due to different model assumptions and methodologies. In this article we present a first comprehensive comparison of global agro-economic models that have harmonized drivers of population, GDP, and biophysical yields. The comparison allows us to ask two research questions: (1) How much cropland will be used under different socioeconomic and climate change scenarios?

Large scale land acquisitions (LSLA), and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) are both land based phenomena which when occurring in the same area, can compete with each other for land. A quantitative analysis of country characteristics revealed that land available for agriculture, accessibility, and political stability are key explanatory factors for a country being targeted for LSLA. Surprisingly LSLA occur in countries with lower accessibility.

This participatory video was filmed, produced, and directed by a group of 12 farmers and community members from the villages of Mpulula, Malaswa, Kapalula, and Gwauya, Malawi. With this video they want to communicate the message that “we can conserve the environment by finding solutions to end poverty.” The film features farmers describing the value of trees, vetiver grass strips, collective action and the importance of alternative livelihoods to the destructive practice of charcoal making. In English and Chichewa.