As the world struggles with both the global financial crisis and the looming climate crisis, a new sense of urgency has entered the talks between the leaders of our main economies and the leaders of developing nations. But while our heads of state have managed to co-operate on an unprecedented scale to fix our economic problems, the same can't be said for our environment. So why is this? Tony Kevin, author of a new book “Crunch time - using and abusing Keynes to fight the twin crises of our era” says what he thinks is going on and how we can fix the problem. "Crunch time" is published by Scribe.

Australia’s culture of drinking to excess is fast becoming an accepted and somewhat expected part of our lifestyle. This week, reports show alcohol-related hospitalisations have jumped more than thirty per cent since 2005… so is it time to really crack down on alcohol abuse? Featured in this story: Anthony Shakeshaft, Assistant Director at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.

Imagine you have to flee from your home because of a political conflict or an environmental disaster. Where would you go and where would you live? About 15.2 million people around the world are refugees today, the majority coming from Africa and Asia. To help you imagine what this would be like, “Medicines sans frontiers” has set up refugee camps around Australia, where you can get a glimpse into the life of a refugee. Elke Rottenkolber reports from the camp, which has just arrived in Adelaide. Featured in report: Alexandra Brown, Events Manager, Medecins Sans Frontiers, and Margaret Bell, MSF volunteer.

There is a lot we still need to learn about how to share Aboriginal traditional knowledge. But a new community guide released today, aims to inform Indigenous communities of their rights and open communication lines between researchers and these communities. This step marks a new era in the respectful sharing of traditional knowledge. Featured in this story: JAN FERGUSON, Managing Director, Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre

The connection between a toilet and eye disease may not be immediately obvious ….probably more so after tonight when Australian actor Michael Caton launches the Donate A Dunny Campaign in Sydney… Operation Eyesight is asking Australians to help fight the deadly eye disease trachoma by helping an Africa village to buy a portable toilet. Country Manager for Operation Eyesight Australia Jim O'Sullivan says they already have evidence that better sanitation can make a measurable difference