Tibetan monks plant trees to fight deforestation

Tibetan monks plant trees to fight deforestation

Tibetans describe the hills around their place of prayer as a once pristine area, an earthly paradise. But with occupation everything changed. Trees and timber have been exploited for years, wiping out entire forests. As of 18 April, though, the monks of the Dzogchen monastery, in the Sichuan region, along with the local Tibetan community, began

A Google Earth for monitoring climate change. Free and accessible to all

A Google Earth for monitoring climate change. Free and accessible to all

The connection between digital technology and satellite imagery is revolutionising the way natural resources can be used, including monitoring deforestation and desertification. As countries strive to reduce their carbon footprint by limiting deforestation, it is important they have the right tools. These must be transparent, consistent over time and suitable. To help these countries, the Food

Indonesia announces a ban on palm oil expansion

Indonesia announces a ban on palm oil expansion

The government of Indonesia has declared a new moratorium on the expansion of the palm oil and mining industries in the Leuser ecosystem. This area, located on the island of Sumatra, is the last place on Earth where Sumatran orangutans, tigers, rhinos and elephants coexist in the wild. As well as being a biodiversity hotspot,

33 lions are returned to Africa after a life of confinement in circuses

33 lions are returned to Africa after a life of confinement in circuses

After a life spent in captivity, they have finally gone back home. This is the success story of 33 lions rescued from South American circuses (24 from Peru and 9 from Colombia) and brought to South Africa. They probably longed for their homeland while performing – in chains – in unnatural, humiliating shows. The lions landed in Johannesburg in

Paris Agreement. 175 countries have signed

Paris Agreement. 175 countries have signed

Four months after COP21 in Paris, world leaders are called to put their pledges into act. Namely, they must ratify the Paris Agreement, reached after two weeks of negotiations in the French capital in December.   As of today, 22 April, the delegations of 195 countries that took part to the climate change conference can