Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Natural Resources and the Environment

Climate change and prolonged droughts pose an ever-increasing threat to agriculture in Cabo Verde.Through the project, a group of Chinese experts pass on their knowledge and expertise to Cabo Verdean farmers and livestock producers to fight pests, manage soil and animal production, and offer other useful techniques in adapting to the effects of climate change. 

Illustration

As climate records are shattered and emissions continue to rise, on this World Environment Day (5 June) the UN Secretary-General sets out some hard-hitting truths about the state of the climate, the grotesque risk leaders are running, and what companies and countries – particularly the G7 and the G20 – need to do over the next eighteen months to salvage humanity’s chances of a livable future. Follow LIVE at 10 AM EDT at the American Museum of Natural History.

Land sustains life on Earth, but more than 2 billion hectares of the world’s land is degraded, affecting more than . Vital ecosystems and countless species are under threat. It is crucial to find ways to stop dry land from becoming desert, fresh water sources from evaporating, and fertile soil from turning to dust. World Environment Day (5 June) will highlight how everyone can help end land degradation and restore blighted landscapes. Âé¶¹´«Ã½ World Environment Programme () offers seven ways to get involved in restoring ecosystems.

Hundreds of thousands of people are coming together to – by tuning dried up monoculture plots into forest gardens. 

Secretary-General watering tree with people around clapping

Ìý

Special Focus: Environment

Ìý

Markhor with mountains in the background.

Today we celebrate for the first time the International Day of the Markhor, an iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. Categorized as ““, the main threats to the markhor’s survival are habitat loss, illegal hunting and climate change. Besides its ecological value, the markhor is a valuable species that contributes to local economies. Preserving the markhor and its natural habitat is an ecological imperative and a significant opportunity to bolster the regional economy.

In 2023 alone, 400 million hectares were consumed by flames—an area twice the size of Mexico. Forest fires cause biodiversity loss, release large quantities of carbon dioxide, and degrade the soil and contaminate water resources. Today, more than half of forest fire-related costs go toward rapid response. But  is spent on planning for and preventing this environmental threat. Costa Rica's Volunteer Forest Fire Brigade has been supported by the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (), in fighting forest fires for the last 30 years.

Restoring Mediterranean forests has been recognized as a under the , offering hope and solutions to these pressing challenges.

, including forest restoration and nature-friendly management practices, play a crucial role in mitigating climate risks in the Carpathian Mountains, while promoting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

presents Nepal’s as one of the last places where tigers, elephants, rhinos, and humans co-exist. In recent years, the country’s tiger population has tripled – but attacks were on the rise. 

The Terai Arc Landscape has been recognized as a World Restoration Flagship under the .

Hussen Nasser Al-Yabari, Yemeni environmental journalist, embodies an unwavering courage and dedication as he illuminates critical environmental issues amidst conflict.

highlights the vital role of insects for migratory birds and the concern that declining insect populations along migratory routes are threatening bird survival and impacting ecosystems. Habitat loss due to agriculture and urban development, along with pesticide use, contributes to declining insect populations, and insect scarcity affects bird migration and breeding, reducing reproductive success and increasing mortality rates. Conservation efforts focus on promoting and preserving natural habitats to support bird survival and ecosystem balance.

Secretary-General António Guterres (centre), along with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (centre left), Foreign Minister of Pakistan, briefs the media after witnessing the impact of the floods in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day (3 May) focuses on the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the global environmental crisis. Journalists face significant challenges in gathering and disseminating information on issues such as climate change, illegal mining, and deforestation. Misinformation campaigns pose a threat to informed public debate and can undermine international efforts to tackle environmental issues. Accurate, timely and comprehensive reporting on environmental issues is critical to achieving sustainable development.

In an episode of , host Samata Pattinson engages with Ã…sa Degerman, Ben Selby, and Carlo Covini to delve into the urgent need for sustainability within the fashion and textile industry. The discussion centers on the pivotal role of forests and innovative technologies in fostering a more sustainable and circular fashion ecosystem.

With a focus on transformative practices, the conversation highlights how integrating forest-based materials and cutting-edge technologies can revolutionize the industry, promoting environmental conservation and reducing waste. The podcast aims to inspire industry stakeholders and consumers alike to embrace sustainable fashion practices for a greener future.

Photo: UNECE

Biodiversity conservation is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, empowering communities and securing a resilient food future.