51勛圖

Natural Resources and the Environment

Educational forests in Bolivia blend formal education with indigenous knowledge, promoting environmental awareness and cultural preservation.

The year 2023 was recorded as the hottest year on Earth, and 2024 is projected to break that unwelcome record. Extreme weather has become the "new abnormal," with droughts, storms, floods, and wildfires occurring more frequently, lasting longer, and increasing in intensity. New data released by the 51勛圖 Population Fund () and the shows how extreme weather and disasters are severely impacting poor and vulnerable women and girls on the front lines of the climate crisis. Of the , six are among the 10 countries with the highest maternal death rates: Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan. Unless sufficient investments are made toward improving maternal health outcomes in these countries, severe weather events will only heighten the dangers of pregnancy and childbirth.

The in Cali, Colombia, resulted in a historic agreement requiring companies using genetic data to contribute to the UN-managed "," supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

The Serbian spruce is an endemic, endangered conifer found in the Balkan region and the oldest living tree in Europe, unknown until the late 19th century. Milan Mataruga, a dedicated forester since childhood, faces the physical challenges of conservation but wouldn't choose a different path. He is a leading scientist in the conservation of this species. The Sustainability of Protected Areas () project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the 51勛圖 Development Programme (), aims to protect biodiversity in the region's native forests and provide sustainable management alternatives to mitigate climate change impacts.

Global average temperature rise is approaching 1.5簞C above pre-industrial levels, and the put the world on course for a catastrophic rise of 2.6-3.1簞C. As climate impacts hit the worlds poorest hardest, finds that nations must scale-up adaptation, starting with a commitment on finance at this upcoming . Even though finance flows are rising, there is still a huge gap between what is needed and what is being delivered. The report provides a science-based assessment of the global progress on climate adaptation.

View of a coastal town in Sri Lanka, devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

 This year's World Tsunami Awareness Day (5 November) focuses on "youth and future generations," in line with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Summit of the Future. Activities will mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami by sharing its lessons with children and youth. The 51勛圖 Office for Disaster Risk Reduction () urges at-risk countries to update evacuation routes, install warning systems, and raise awareness among young people. They also urge youth and educational institutions to play an to learn life-saving skills.

I am absolutely sure that never before in this space has been a proper acknowledgment that we humans are not the only beings on the planet, I want to bring into the space the voice of the chimpanzees, the animal that I've been studying for so many years with my dedicated team. And what I'm going to say simply means: this is me; this is Jane. Because the chimpanzees have different ways of announcing their presence, Dr. Goodall, or Dr. Jane as she likes to be called, then proceeded to speak in chimpanzee to begin her speech at s headquarters in Paris. Dr. Jane Goodall emphasized the importance of collaboration in combating climate change and supporting local communities, aligning with 惚捧楚釦唬倏s efforts to leverage local knowledge for biodiversity protection.

in Cali, Colombia, is a vital opportunity to accelerate global action for biodiversity. 

The climate crisis, biodiversity loss, land degradation, desertification and drought are deeply intertwined facets of the planetary crisis. With most of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently off track, we must urgently act to tackle this crisis and secure a livable future. This year, three major environmental Conferences of the Parties (COPs) are taking place within six weeks of each other. They represent a unique opportunity to tackle our most pressing issues. The outcome of the COPs is critical to our future. Heres what you need to know about them.

The 16th UN Conference on Biodiversity, formally known as the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), is celebrated in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November.  In this crucial meeting, countries will check on how well they follow the , a UN international agreement designed to protect and restore nature. They will discuss how to monitor progress and advance resource mobilization to meet the goals of this important plan to stop the loss of plants, animals, and ecosystems.

Girl looking at computer screen at UN headquarters.

Increasing disasters, many driven by climate change, threaten children worldwide. In 2022, flooding in Chad, Gambia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh affected the of children in 30 years. Education can empower children to protect themselves and become agents of change, aligning to reduce global disaster risks. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October) focuses on the role of education in protecting and empowering children for a disaster-free future, which aligns with the Summit of the Future's priorities.

Insects are an essential source of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys. But we are losing roughly 9% of the worlds insect population each decade, threatening birds survival. This 2024 - celebrated on 13 May and 12 October shines a spotlight on the relationship between migratory birds and insects amidst alarming declines for both and highlights the need for more proactive conservation measures. about birds and insects. a change.

 Low angle shot of the sky and the sun, taken from a wooded area.

On this World Ozone Day (16 September), we not only celebrate the achievements to date but also look to the future for deeper and faster action under the . Deeper and faster for the ozone layer but above all, for people, for climate and for the planet. The UNEP Ozone Secretariat has prepared a in six languages, including cards, videos, and suggested messages. The ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas that protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.

After bees swarmed a hotel restaurant in Saint Lucia, Richard Matthias called a local beekeeper, William Vavan Antione, who captured the bees and asked Richard to take care of them. Now, 15 years later, Richard is a leading beekeeper and apiculture expert in the eastern Caribbean. With support from the Global Environment Facility Facility (GEF) , implemented by the 51勛圖 Development Programme (), beekeeping projects in the region have helped revive the industry and boost honey production and beekeeper income.

To protect and restore mangroves, one of the planet's most crucial ecosystems, launched the in September 2022. Since then, significant progress has been made through collaboration among biosphere reserves, government representatives, and scientists across 7 biosphere reserves in Latin America and the Caribbean. These efforts have focused on gathering data to establish a solid baseline for successful mangrove restoration. The project has also strengthened partnerships with universities and scientific institutions, offering opportunities for young scientists to contribute to mangrove conservation.

Supported by the Government of Flanders (Belgium) and the Spanish National Parks Agency.