Philip Fearnside, an authority on the Amazon, was honored for 50 years of research calculating the costs of rainforest loss. His work includes warnings against projects like repaving a highway that could trigger deforestation.
A geoscientist is analyzing satellite imagery of Nepal's recent floods to understand glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risks in the Western Himalayas, advocating for pre-emptive planning.
UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar prioritized rangelands, launching a $1.2 billion initiative and a $1.3 billion land restoration finance package. The conference also saw the unveiling of a Drought Resilience Index.
India's push for herbicide-tolerant mustard varieties is criticized for potentially harming biodiversity, pollinators, and nutrition sources, clashing with smallholder farming systems.
Global sea surface temperatures have again reached a record high, exceeding 21.1° Celsius on August 22. This increase has serious implications for Earth systems, including sea-level rise and marine ecosystems.
Residents in southern Bangladesh's Patuakhali district report ash affecting crops and causing health issues attributed to the Payra Power Plant. Land has also been lost and waterlogged.
A venture in Shamiani, Zanzibar, is pioneering sea cucumber ranching within locally protected marine areas to restore coastal ecosystems and generate income from a high-value export.
Torrential rain caused the Mandakini river to overflow, flooding Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. Waters are 8-9 metres above the danger mark, a 23-year record, submerging Ramghat and shops.
Governments at COP17 failed to agree on a global drought framework for the second time. Drought will be a standalone agenda item at future COPs, but a binding or voluntary instrument remains unresolved.