Stories about Environment
Could the Caribbean bridge the gap between culture and sustainability?
Tobago’s thriving culture, which includes farming and food festivals, is one example of the intersection of creative industries and concepts of sustainability like eating local and growing one’s own food.
The true cost of Japan’s Linear bullet train
Rising environmental and human costs for Japan's planned "maglev," a super-fast, super-conducted bullet train set to link Tokyo to Osaka by 2045, are drawing the ire of many residents.
Jamaica is developing, but at what cost?
Increasingly large developments along Jamaica’s idyllic north coast, a popular tourist destination, have local environmentalists concerned about several recurring issues observed in environmental decision-making in the country.
The role of climate-smart agriculture in Guyana’s push to reduce food imports
To help achieve CARICOM's goal of reducing 25 percent of the Caribbean’s food imports by 2025, Guyana is turning to climate-smart agriculture techniques as a means of sustainably increasing food production.
Uzbekistan is finally starting to address its air pollution problem
In December 2023, Tashkent recorded the second-highest air pollution levels, coming behind only India’s Delhi.
Do national parks and wildlife conservation regulations in Nepal benefit Indigenous people?
Nepal has seen many successes when it comes to wildlife conservation. However, Nepal's Indigenous communities have endured a series of human rights abuses due to oppressive conservation policies.
Amidst floods in Brazil, government minister turns environmental racism into a national debate
Floods and heavy rains in the state of Rio de Janeiro caused 12 deaths and devastation in January. After Racial Equality Minister Anielle Franco pointed out environmental racism, the term sparked a national debate.
In search of Australia's treasured koala
With Australia facing potentially catastrophic bushfires this summer like the 2019–2020 season, one of its favorite animals, the koala, is under threat on a number of other fronts as well.
Year in review: In 2023, the climate crisis was top of mind for the Caribbean
Of the many stories Global Voices Caribbean covered this year, the lion's share have been linked to global warming, and the importance of climate justice to the region's survival.
COP28 delivers ‘death certificate’ for island nations
The Global Stocktake is meant to be the big outcome of the climate negotiations this year, but we have significantly deviated from restricting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
SIDS chart vision for energy transition at COP28, advocating tripling renewable energy initiatives and global decarbonisation efforts
To maintain the 1.5 degrees Celsius target by 2030, developed nations must prioritise addressing heavy-emitting industries. This requires, among other things, collaboration with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like the Caribbean.
EU-registered vessels overexploit and export small pelagic fish in African waters, investigation shows
EU fishing fleets in the West African region, "particularly the East European vessels, continue to disregard their obligations to embark scientific observers on board, while they fish unsustainably."
Australia's bid to co-host COP31 climate conference faces obstacles
Since the election of the new Labor government in 2022, Australia’s international reputation regarding climate action has risen considerably as result of stronger emissions targets and its enhanced safeguard mechanisms.
How climate change is affecting mental health in some of the Caribbean's Indigenous communities
"Climate change events [cause] a disconnection through displacement and loss of our homes, our land, and our ways of doing things. Having to relocate and start over is traumatic."
How EU-registered vessels use flags of convenience to mask illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices in West Africa
' ... marine experts confirmed that the 'flag of convenience' is exploited by unscrupulous operators to evade accountability for illegal fishing, human rights violations, and other crimes.'
As COP28 launches a Loss and Damage Fund, devastating rains highlight Caribbean islands’ increasing vulnerability to climate change impacts
The picture in Jamaica is similar to elsewhere in the Caribbean, where there are fears about food security as a result of repeated “natural disasters” caused by human-induced climate change.
Why green hydrogen holds a lot of potential for Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has the building blocks to position itself as a regional green hydrogen trading, storage and production hub, making GH2 a viable decarbonisation option.
How newborns and their mothers are vulnerable to climate change
The findings of a 2020 study showed a relationship between pregnant women's exposure to heat and air pollution and preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillborn babies.
Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union: Climate justice or defense treaty?
"Offering residence or citizenship rights to Tuvaluans, though a compassionate response, does not halt the inexorable rise in sea levels."
How Dominica's designation of the world's first sperm whale sanctuary can help fight climate change
More sperm whale excrement equals more plankton, which translates into more CO2, a greenhouse gas, being trapped.
Post-Hurricane Maria, Dominica is still trying to build climate-resilient homes, so at COP28, it will advocate for Loss and Damage financial mechanisms
A Loss and Damage Fund will go a long way in providing “critical climate finance to the most vulnerable countries that are ravaged by the adverse impacts of climate change.”