THE head of the United Nations environment body has defended the Kyoto Protocol from attack by the Australian Government, and called on politicians to stop making decisions about climate change "based on narrow national self-interest".

The glow from burning jatropha seed torches has often saved Maruti Chindu from treading on snakes, but now he carefully nurtures them for a use that he never imagined before -- running cars and trucks.

Environment groups have weighed into Victoria's election campaign, calling on political parties to back a seven-point plan to tackle climate change.