Efforts are being made to protect Lake Albert from pollution and environmental degradation, which threaten fish stocks and the livelihoods of local communities. The UN has warned of the decline of freshwater species due to pollution, urging communities to stop dumping waste and support sustainable fishing practices. The government is taking steps to combat pollution and protect the lake's resources, while community involvement, particularly from fishers, is seen as crucial in conservation efforts. Protecting Lake Albert is essential for sustaining the livelihoods of surrounding communities and future generations, with a focus on using environmentally friendly methods and avoiding catching young fish to ensure the lake's resources are preserved for millions of citizens.
Author: News.un
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Rising seas, rising stakes: What increasing sea-levels mean to humanity
Sea levels are rising due to human-induced climate change, with global sea levels rising between 4.7mm and 5.9mm annually, caused by melting glaciers, ice sheets, and warming oceans. Around 770 million people are at risk of saltwater intrusion, flooding, and economic disruptions, impacting cultural heritage and traditional ways of life. Adapting to rising seas requires moving away from fossil fuels, implementing early warning systems, building sea walls, and providing adequate adaptation finance. Boosting adaptation finance and prioritizing sea-level rise as a global issue are crucial for protecting homes, livelihoods, and identities, as global losses could reach $1.4 trillion annually without adaptation efforts.
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Can restoring land create jobs? These young entrepreneurs are proving it
In Senegal, Féro combines high-productivity greenhouses with agroforestry systems to balance production with restoration, while Green Eden Farms developed ScareGrow, a solar-powered precision agriculture system. Pacchar Biochar in Ecuador turns agricultural waste into biochar to improve soil health, inspired by ancient Amazonian terra preta soils. The key to successful restoration projects is offering tangible benefits to farmers and responding to market demand. The Youth Ecopreneur Programme supports young entrepreneurs in developing environmental businesses focused on land restoration, aiming to create a restoration economy that generates livelihoods and market opportunities while shifting away from reliance on public projects or donations.
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The clean energy transition needs land. Can it help restore it too?
At a UN desertification conference in Mongolia, experts discussed how renewable energy expansion can co-exist with land protection and restoration, showcasing examples such as repurposing degraded mining land in South Africa and combining solar panels with vegetation in China. Renewable energy projects like solar irrigation in India are proving to generate electricity while benefiting agriculture and restoring land. The UN is calling for case studies on successful projects that integrate renewable energy with land, water, biodiversity, and communities to break dependence on fossil fuels while protecting and restoring nature globally. Planning for impactful renewables should consider wider landscape context, biodiversity, and input from local communities to minimize environmental impacts. Discussions are ongoing on how to pursue these goals simultaneously on the same land.
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Climate crisis: UN chief lays out solutions blueprint for clean energy transition
The UN Secretary-General emphasized the interconnectedness of protecting nature, shifting to renewable energy, and addressing climate change for the well-being of both humanity and the environment. He called for managing the transition to a sustainable future to avoid chaos and inequality, highlighting the need for fair finance to support developing countries in phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to green energy. Additionally, the Secretary-General urged support for science, truth, and early warning systems to combat climate misinformation and delay tactics, while also emphasizing the importance of investing in nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis and protect those most at risk from climate change.
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Powering resilience: How Indonesia is building a more secure energy future
In Indonesia, United Nations agencies are collaborating with the Government to modernize the electricity grid, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy-intensive industries. Efforts include identifying solar energy potential, conducting energy audits, and supporting eco-industrial parks. The UN is also assisting Indonesia in unlocking finance for renewable energy projects and supporting workers through the energy transition. Additionally, UNDP is bringing cleaner energy technologies to coastal communities to reduce fuel consumption and support livelihoods, while UN Women and UNEP are empowering women entrepreneurs to access green finance and adopt climate-smart technologies. These initiatives aim to empower women, expand economic opportunities, and ensure that the benefits of the energy transition reach more people in Indonesia.
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Five things you need to know about ocean plastics
Plastics released into the marine environment harm wildlife and ecosystems, breaking down into toxic microplastics that poison the food chain, affecting over 4,000 marine species. Plastic pollution in the ocean continues to rise due to mismanaged waste and marine activities, with an estimated 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics in the world's upper oceans. The need to address plastic pollution by reducing production, promoting reuse, and finding alternatives to single-use plastics is crucial, highlighting the social and economic impacts on marine habitats, human livelihoods, and food security. Emphasizing prevention over clean-ups and recycling, a global plastics treaty is being pursued by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, led by the UN Environment Programme, to combat plastic pollution on an international scale.
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Renewables rising, Part 1: How four countries are reshaping energy security
The disruption of oil and gas supplies in the Strait of Hormuz highlights the vulnerability of the global energy system tied to fossil fuels. UN Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewables for energy security and economic resilience. Countries like Norway, Paraguay, Nepal, and Ethiopia are leading the way in renewable energy adoption, with a focus on hydropower and a gradual shift away from fossil fuels in various sectors. Renewables offer stable, domestic, and cheaper power, while also cutting emissions, reducing pollution, creating jobs, and lowering long-term costs. Nepal and Ethiopia are reducing their dependence on imported fossil fuels by focusing on hydropower, expanding rural electrification, and developing decentralized renewable systems to achieve universal electricity access and support economic development. Challenges in financing and infrastructure remain, but the transition to renewables is seen as unstoppable and beneficial for the future.
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Forests are more than a resource: How Belarus protects its vital ecosystem
The UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry in Belarus, is implementing projects supported by China and Russia to address threats facing forest ecosystems in Belarus. These projects focus on developing ecotourism, protecting forests, and strengthening preparedness for fire prevention and response. Efforts include introducing modern approaches to forest management, utilizing digital technologies, creating new sources of income for local communities, and raising environmental awareness among young people. By prioritizing innovation, partnerships, and community engagement, these initiatives aim to safeguard Belarus' forests and the benefits they provide for climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and economic development.
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Welcome to the ‘agrihood’ – the neighbourhood of the future?
Marcia Mikai and her colleagues are promoting the concept of agrihoods as a solution to unsustainable urban sprawl, aiming to restore ecosystems, build climate resilience, and develop healthy communities through sustainable forestry practices and mixed-use buildings. By replanting native and edible plants, agrihoods help cool cities, reduce flood risk, and replenish aquifers, while also providing shared green spaces that reconnect residents with their food and community. These zones actively sequester carbon from the atmosphere and offer environmental and social benefits for people of all ages and income levels. The UN Environment Programme's State of Finance for Nature report emphasizes the need to shift towards nature-positive solutions to prevent economic downfall, highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating nature-based solutions in cities like New York to increase productivity and create a thriving economy.