Urbanization has altered the way cities and the people that inhabit them interact with nature. In countries such as Japan, where high levels of urbanization and a rapidly aging population is leading to abandoned spaces in cities, there is a unique chance to reimagine the role of urban green spaces. “How we design green urban spaces is key for both human and planetary wellbeing,” says urban ecosystem development expert Juan Pastor Ivars.
“Paris moment for nature”, is the phrase being used to raise expectations: the COP15, due to be held in Canada, must play a crucial role in halting biodiversity loss and restoring nature over the next decade. However, according to global media predictions, there is something that may undermine the impact of the event before it has even begun.
Water is essential to life on Earth. However, climate change is threatening its availability and making it increasingly difficult to access and manage this precious resource, with cascading impacts on livelihoods and societies. To better understand what is being discussed during the COP27 Water Day on November 14, we provide a brief overview of the CMCC’s scientific work on water management and planning, along with educational and awareness-raising activities. Dive in!
Discussions about climate must go hand in hand with discussions about the environment and hence biodiversity. This not only means looking at how to ensure biodiversity is maintained and promoted but also how nature itself can be a vital instrument in climate proofing the planet. Biodiversity is the core of COP15 in Montreal and was one of the main topics at COP27 in Egypt. A list of resources to better understand the climate-biodiversity nexus.
The blood vessel of Egypt meets China: the world’s plumber-in-chief. A journey which starts with the Neolithic revolution, passes through the “hydraulic century” and carries us into the future.
By following the history of water, we delve into the roots of human civilization, crossing paths with science, technology, politics, and the stories of people and places.
Flavours of wine will be different, chocolate prices will rise, nutritional quality and yields of several crops will decline. Food offers unlimited stories to bring the perception of climate change closer to people, from the challenges facing our favourite foods to a different narration that highlights solutions and the value of science. A climate change and food scientist, a freelance writer, and a once-upon-a-time professional chef have put in place an effective mix of multiple modes of communication that can motivate people to join forces for climate action along the food supply chain.
New solutions to address the global water crisis jointly with the climate change challenge will bring benefits to numerous sectors and the social realm. The
With over half the world’s population predicted to live in water-stressed areas by 2025 we must find effective solutions to the incumbent water crisis. Water
Food loss and waste worsen the scarcity of natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions from human activities with no purpose. Reducing food loss and waste can contribute towards environmental sustainability and limit the influence of the food system on climate change, increasing economic efficiency and food security at the same time. A new FAO report suggests how.
Agriculture, fisheries and livestock production produce around one fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, whilst unhealthy food kills more people than alcohol, drug and tobacco use combined. The paradox is that, whilst 2.1 billion people are overweight, 821 million go to bed hungry every night. Science based research on sustainable diets, such as the EAT-Lancet report, can help reach a scientific consensus on what defines a healthy and sustainable diet, and hence help food production and consumption become a powerful tool in both climate change mitigation and increasing human welfare.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Water Partnership (GWP) have joined hands in a Framework Memorandum for Integrated Water Resources Management. A welcome piece of
With an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, unsafe food is a threat to human health and economies, disproportionally affecting vulnerable and marginalized people, especially women and children, populations affected by conflict and migrants. The First International Food Safety Conference will try to identify key actions and strategies to address current and future challenges to food safety globally while strengthening commitment at the highest political level to scale up food safety in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
