Camelids are key to the livelihoods of millions of households across over 90 countries. From alpacas to Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas, they are a source of meat, milk, fiber, fertilizer, and transportation in hostile environments like deserts and highlands where other livestock species cannot survive. The aims to build awareness of the untapped potential of camelids in building resilience to climate change and to advocate for greater investment in the camelid sector.
Natural Resources and the Environment
Rural-urban migration in response to environmental degradation and natural hazards is rising at an alarming rate as families seek employment in urban areas.
Mountains are natural treasures that we must cherish. They are home to 15% of the world´s population, host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots, and provide fresh water to half of humanity. Unfortunately, they are threatened by climate change, contamination, and overexploitation. International Mountain Day 2023 (13 December), under the title “”, aims to raise awareness about the relevance of mountain ecosystems and calls for solutions and investments that increase the ability of mountains to adapt to daily threats and extreme climatic events.
Our planet’s survival depends on the delicate balance between soil and water, a precious link that generates over 95% of our food. However, climate change and human activity are degrading soils and straining water resources. World Soil Day 2023 (5 December), led by , defends the need for sustainable practices to combat soil erosion and pollution, enhance soil health, and aid water storage. Achieving those needs would be crucial to create sustainable food systems, and even mitigate climate change. Join , and use its to spread the message.
The Montes del Aguacate Biological Corridor is located in the western part of Costa Rica's Central Valley. It serves as a link between Protected Wildlife Areas and Protected Zones, promoting biological connectivity. The area is home to several rural communities with scarce job opportunities and low human development. However, the inspiring story of MarĂa Olivia RodrĂguez Vasquez and JesĂşs MarĂa Molina Salas shows that this doesn't have to be the case. Over 30 years ago, they started farming livestock on a 20-hectare land, and with the support of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, they have been able to make a living out of it.
has released its which provides an essential toolbox of approaches for strengthening the implementation and enforcement of environmental law.
Gökova Bay, a sparkling blue body of water on the Mediterranean coast off Türkiye, is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and one of the most successful marine ecosystem conservation initiatives. This is in large part thanks to Zafer Kizilkaya and the efforts of his organization, , a . At its outset, the organization focused primarily on the creation of marine protected areas, which allowed fishing but limited development, and included no-take zones, which forbid all fishing and were critical to fully restoring marine ecosystem functions after years of overfishing. The organization still maintains the highest level of respect and reverence for the small-scale fishermen who have accumulated generations of knowledge about local fishing conditions of this Mediterranean spot.
The sea urchin is considered a culinary delicacy in many countries and faces the threat of overfishing in some areas. However, while some sites are lacking in the species, other areas are experiencing excessive sea urchin populations that can lead to the depletion of algae and other marine vegetation, so-called sea urchin barrens. These two contrasting situations call for individualized solutions. is countries and farmers tackle these two issues by creating specific guidelines for restorative aquaculture and helping with the removal of urchins and their sale in culinary markets, helping to restore algae populations while enhancing the value of these species.
A healthy environment is a basic human right, , the 13-year-old Colombian Climate Human Rights defender.
Despite its widespread use, mercury has been known for centuries to be toxic. Adopted in 2013, the aims at stepping up action on mercury pollution to help attain a pollution-free planet.
In its natural state, tropical peat occurs in flooded swamps and is one of nature’s most effective ways of removing carbon from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate global warming. When peat catches fires, it releases up to ten times more carbon than forest fires. Indonesia is home to 40 per cent of the world’s tropical peatlands, and they hold up to 57 billion metric tonnes of carbon. It is indisputable that the protection and restoration of the Indonesian peatlands is vital for the planet. As part of this, and partners are supporting communities that are at the forefront of peatland restoration and conservation by strengthening cooperation between villages.
Given that many nations that are at a high risk of disasters are also the ones that have a significant proportion of the population living below the national poverty line, is urging individuals to take action to put an end to the vicious cycle of disasters and worsening inequality.
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than 40% of global energy consumption and over 50% of greenhouse gas emissions. Its rapid energy demand growth will persist, posing challenges for energy security, affordability, and climate change mitigation. To address these challenges and promote a cleaner, more resilient, interconnected energy future, the U.N. and Thailand will co-host the (19-20 October). The event brings together energy leaders, policymakers, and experts to find solutions to these problems. and !
assist deliver on its mandate and programme which include providing scientific solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the planet and humankind, and guidance on sound policies and effective environmental laws and institutions in support of a healthy planet for healthy people.
These large rodents are famous for their impressive engineering skills. They create wood and mud structures to block streams cutting logs and branches using their massive teeth and strong jaws. Such natural barriers increase water levels upstream and slow down river flow. By copying the beavers' techniques, humans can make rivers safer, using materials like logs, branches, mud and leaves.