Dubai, UAE

Greenland- three times size of Texas, a part of Denmark, inhabited by Inuits

New Guinea- rainfall exceeding 300in a year, one of the least inhabited islands

Borneo- covered in dense rainforests, world’s most diverse flora and fauna

Madagascar- very unique wildlife, 250 miles off the coast of Africa

Baffin- largest island in Canada, mostly uninhabited

Sumatra- three national parks, which are all UNESCO protected

Honshu- contains Japans highest mountain (Mount Fuji), and largest lake (Lake Biwa)

Victoria Island- world’s largest island, within an island, within an island

Great Britain- comprises England, Scotland and Wales

Ellesmere- belived to have been visited by Vikings

Creating ocean sanctuaries to keep out threats from industrial fishing, drilling and mining, giving marine life a chance to recover.

Banning single use plastic

Reduce vehicle pollution

Fish responsibly

Conserve water

Use less energy

Practice safe boating

March 2023

It sets the rules and tools for protecting ocean life over nearly half of our planet.

Healthy oceans help combat climate change by locking away carbon, and provide food and livelihoods to more than three billion people

This treaty is an opportunity to repair the damage we’ve done to the oceans.

the Clean Adriatic Sea Alliance is highly active in the process of saving and protecting the highly endangered Adriatic

Threats: possible drilling oil and gas off the island of Brač, pollution and overfishing

Project by Oceans 5 seeking to limit overfishing, recover fish stocks and protect critical habitat by promoting “Fisheries Restricted Areas” in the Adriatic

Fresh or saltwater held in the ballast tanks and cargo holds of ships. It is used to provide stability and manoeuvrability during a voyage when ships are not carrying cargo, not carrying heavy enough cargo, or when more stability is required due to rough seas.

Enforced on 8th September 2017

all ships in international traffic are required to manage their ballast water to a certain standard, according to a ship-specific ballast water management plan.

All ships  have to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate. The ballast water management standards are being phased in over a period of time.

New ships must meet the ballast water treatment standard. Existing ships should exchange ballast water mid-ocean

Eventually, most ships will need to install an on-board ballast water treatment system.

Every year ten million tons of ballast water is being discharged in the Adriatic, with probability to increase considering development plans for Adriatic ports.

BALMAS project (Ballast Water Management System for Adriatic Sea Protection) was devised as a project that will help remove the unwanted risk to environment and people, coming from transfer of harmful organisms and pathogens through control and management of ships' ballast water.

Introduction of invasive species

Altered ecosystems

Risks to human health

Harm to native species

May damage infrastructure, affect fisheries and aquaculture operations, and reduce the quality of water bodies used for recreation, tourism, and drinking water supply

a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific

Typically occurs every 3 to 5 years

La Niña represents the cool phase of the El Niño

the changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures affect the patterns of tropical rainfall from Indonesia to the west coast of South America. 

These changes in tropical rainfall patterns affect weather patterns throughout the world

La Niña is most likely to emerge in October-December 2024 (57% chance) and is expected to persist through January-March 2025.

11th November 2024 - 22nd November 2024

Baku, Azerbaijan

pledge from developed nations to contribute at least $300 billion annually to support adaptation. 

Countries failed to reach an agreement on how the outcomes of last year’s “global stocktake”, including a key pledge to transition away from fossil fuels

all elements of the Paris Agreement have been finalised

Hydrogen Declaration represents our collective intent to drive forward the global agenda for renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives

A desert is a landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions create unique biomes and ecosystems.

The Bedouins are a group of nomadic Arab peoples traditionally found in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and North Africa.

Their name comes from the Arabic word badawi, meaning "desert dweller."

They are organized into tribes, each led by a sheikh

They are known for their hospitality.

They traditionally rely on animal herding, especially camels, for sustenance and transportation.

Bedouin clothing is designed for the desert, with long robes and headscarves protecting them from the sun and sand.

The Berbers are an indigenous ethnic group native to North Africa, with a history spanning thousands of years.

They speak Tamazight, using the Tifinagh script. Traditionally organized into tribes, Berbers have contributed greatly to North African history, especially through the Numidian and Moorish empires.

Most are Muslim, though pre-Islamic beliefs still influence some practices.

Berber culture is rich in art, weaving, and metalwork, with distinctive patterns and symbolism.

Despite modernization, many Berbers maintain a strong cultural identity today.

Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes a desert due to factors like prolonged drought, deforestation, overgrazing, and poor agricultural practices.

Ancient, undisturbed woodlands that have existed for thousands of years, untouched by human activity.

These forests host diverse ecosystems, with rich biodiversity, complex ecological processes, and old-growth trees.

Čorkova Uvala is a primeval forest located in Biokovo Mountain in Croatia.

It is one of the last remaining ancient forests in the region, known for its biodiversity and natural beauty.

The forest, with its old-growth trees, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected area, offering important insights into natural ecosystems.

Čorkova Uvala is home to a variety of rare and endangered plant and animal species, making it an important ecological area.

Its untouched nature, shows us how forests once looked before human influence, providing valuable information for conservation and climate change research.

Štirovača is a primeval forest located in the Paklenica National Park in Croatia.

This ancient forest, part of the UNESCO-listed Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, features towering beech trees, diverse flora, and fauna.

It's also an important ecological site, containing Europe’s natural heritage. The forest plays an important role in conservation, biodiversity, and environmental research, preserving ecosystems untouched by human development.

The extraction of rubber and coltan in regions like Congo can negatively impact primeval forests, leading to deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Rubber tapping, while less destructive than logging, still involves clearing large areas of forest, disrupting ecosystems.

Coltan mining is far more damaging, as it involves the excavation of huge amounts of earth, often in sensitive areas.

These activities threaten wildlife, contribute to habitat destruction, and increase environmental degradation in some of the world's most important and vulnerable ecosystems.

also known as the boreal forest, is the world’s largest land biome, stretching across northern North America, Europe, and Asia.

Characterized by cold winters, short summers, and coniferous forests, it is home to animals like bears, wolves, and moose.

The soil is often acidic and nutrient-poor due to slow decomposition.

plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide. Its huge expanse of trees acts as a significant carbon sink, helping to combat climate change.

delicate ecosystem, vulnerable to both climate change and human activity.

important to Earth's ecological balance because it’s hosting diverse wildlife

The biome is shaped by extreme seasonal variations, with long, harsh winters and brief summers.

Its trees are adapted to cold, with needle-like leaves that minimize water loss.

Despite its beauty, the taiga faces threats from deforestation, climate change, and industrial activity.

a cold, treeless biome found in polar regions and high mountain tops.

characterized by long, harsh winters, short, cool summers, and minimal precipitation, mostly falling as snow.

The soil in the tundra is typically frozen, known as permafrost, which limits plant growth.

During the brief summer, the top layer of the soil thaws, allowing small, hardy plants like mosses, lichens, grasses, and low shrubs to grow.

Animal life is adapted to the cold environment, with species like arctic foxes, caribou, polar bears, and various migratory birds.

animals often have thick fur, layers of fat, or specialized adaptations to survive the extreme cold.

plays an essential role in regulating the Earth’s climate by storing large amounts of carbon in the permafrost.

due to global warming, the permafrost is melting, which could release greenhouse gases and exacerbate climate change.

Tundra is also highly vulnerable to human activity and climate shifts.

a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, northern parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, and surrounding islands.

Characterized by frigid temperatures, the Arctic experiences extreme seasonal variations, with long, dark winters and short, bright summers.

Arctic landscape includes ice-covered seas, glaciers, tundra, and frozen soil.

It is home to unique wildlife, including polar bears, arctic foxes, seals, and migratory birds. Marine life such as whales, fish, and krill thrive in the cold waters.

The Arctic's ecosystem is highly sensitive to climate change, with warming temperatures leading to rapid ice melt, affecting species and human communities reliant on ice for their livelihood.

Indigenous peoples like the Inuit have adapted to this harsh environment for thousands of years.

The region is also of global significance due to its role in regulating Earth's climate and its immense natural resources, which are increasingly being explored.

Melting in the Arctic and other polar regions poses significant environmental and societal problems.

1. As ice melts, sea levels rise, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems.

2. The loss of ice reduces the Earth's albedo effect, causing more sunlight to be absorbed, further accelerating warming.

3. Melting disrupts habitats for species like polar bears and seals, endangering their survival. Additionally, melting permafrost releases stored carbon and methane, intensifying climate change.

4. The changing landscape also affects indigenous peoples who depend on ice for hunting and travel, while opening up previously inaccessible areas to resource extraction, risking environmental degradation.

Transhumance is the seasonal movement of livestock between fixed pastures, often practiced by herders in mountainous or pastoral regions.

This tradition allows animals to graze in different areas depending on the time of year, optimizing the use of land and resources.

In spring and summer, livestock are moved to higher altitudes or cooler areas, while in autumn and winter, they return to lower, warmer grounds.

This practice has been essential for maintaining the balance of local ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural life in harsh environments.

Transhumance is common in regions such as the Alps, the Himalayas, and parts of Africa and the Middle East.

It provides numerous benefits, such as preventing overgrazing in one area and allowing land to recover.

It also helps herders maintain a diverse and resilient agricultural system, contributing to the overall ecological health of the area.

transhumance is increasingly under threat from modern pressures like land development, climate change, and changing economic practices.

Urbanization, reduced access to grazing land, and the intensification of agriculture are destroying traditional pastoral lifestyles.

Despite these challenges, transhumance remains an important cultural practice, often recognized for its ecological benefits, such as maintaining biodiversity and sustaining local economies in rural areas.

Sherpas are an ethnic group native to the high-altitude regions of Nepal, particularly the Khumbu Valley near Mount Everest.

Renowned for their extraordinary mountaineering skills, they have played a crucial role in the success of Himalayan expeditions.

Their ability to acclimatize to high altitudes, combined with their strength and intimate knowledge of the terrain, makes them invaluable guides and porters for climbers.

Sherpas are traditionally farmers and herders, with their culture deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Their strong connection to the mountains and respect for nature influences their way of life and worldview, which emphasizes hospitality, resilience, and community.

The commercialization of climbing has increased the risks they undertake, with many Sherpas exposed to life-threatening conditions while assisting foreign expeditions.

Climate change also threatens their traditional livelihoods, as the region’s glaciers melt, and unpredictable weather patterns disrupt their agricultural practices.

The influx of climbers has led to overcrowding, putting pressure on both the environment and the Sherpa community.