Calixta is a 51-year-old community leader in Tornabé, an Afro-Honduran GarÃfuna community in Atlántida’s Tela municipality, where even just an hour of rain can wreak havoc. For people like Calixta, Tropical Storm Sara and a subsequent cold front in November 2024, which caused severe flooding and landslides and affected nearly a third of the country, weren’t just another event; they were a reminder that storms don’t end – they return. The storms led to health concerns, particularly with a rise in dengue fever, prompting a national health emergency in May 2024. The recently launched aims to assist 800,000 people. It requires US$138 million for the National Humanitarian Forum’s efforts in support of Government-led relief and recovery operations.
Natural Resources and the Environment
The Dindéfélo Community Nature Reserve in southeastern Senegal, established by 12 villages, blends conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community development, while supporting biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods.
Angelbert Johnny, a 47-year-old from the Wapichan territory in Guyana, has been involved in environmental conservation for over 20 years after noticing a decline in local wildlife. He joined a group of friends to found the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) to protect the endangered Red Siskin bird. Initially a ranger, Angelbert later managed a new project focusing on conserving the giant armadillo and giant anteater in three South Rupununi communities. Launched in late 2023, the project aims to integrate traditional knowledge with scientific research to reverse the decline of these species. SRCS plans to establish community conservation agreements and create up to 120,000 hectares of Community Conservation Zones to be recognized on the .
Wildlife and biodiversity are essential to our well-being. To keep enjoying nature’s beauty and benefits, ecosystems must thrive and species must persist for future generations. World Wildlife Day (3 March) celebrates the diversity of life and reminds us to act urgently to revert biodiversity loss. The 2025 theme, “ calls for more effective and sustainable financial support to build a resilient future, as over one million species are threatened with extinction. !
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants found in shallow waters around the world, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. They provide a range of environmental, economic and social benefits to humans, making them one of the most valuable coastal and marine ecosystems on Earth, but they are under threat. The combined pressures of coastal development, pollution, climate change, dredging and unregulated fishing are damaging seagrass ecosystems. World Seagrass Day (1 March) raises awareness of the importance of managing, conserving and restoring seagrass for a sustainable blue economy.
Saiasi Sarau, a Fijian sailor, has a deep connection to the ocean, which has sustained him since childhood. After starting as a fisher, he became a captain and now works as a fisheries observer in the Cook Islands in the southern Indian Ocean. His role involves collecting scientific data on catch and bycatch, as well as monitoring seabird interactions to ensure ecosystem safety. Currently in Mauritius for a workshop on scientific observation in deep-sea fisheries, organised by the Common Oceans Deep-sea fisheries project and led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the 51³Ô¹Ï (), Saiasi joins peers from various countries to learn standardized procedures for data collection. The workshop emphasizes the importance of independent observers and responsible fisheries management, especially after previous overfishing led to ecosystem damage.
UN Trade and Development's promotes sustainable biodiversity conservation, fostering economic development through responsible trade practices while benefiting local communities and aligning with global agreements like the (CBD) and (CITES).
The revival of Chile’s Cahuil Lagoon showcases sustainable conservation’s success, as wetlands globally decline by 85% since 1700s, threatening ecosystems due to climate change and urbanization.
The raises awareness on preserving glaciers, highlighting their importance and fragility in the face of climate change.
The MangRes Project in Tumbes, Peru, fosters environmental awareness and community-driven conservation efforts to protect mangrove ecosystems through education and youth engagement.
are critical to people and nature. Although they cover only around 6% of the Earth’s land surface, 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. Their biodiversity matters for our health, food supply, tourism, and jobs. They provide essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation, and about one in eight people on Earth depend on them for their livelihoods. Yet they are among the ecosystems with the highest rates of decline. This World Wetlands Day (2 February), let’s encourage governments and communities to value and prioritize wetlands.
Thawing , accelerated by climate change, could release dormant, deadly microbes and pathogens, posing a growing threat to both human health and the environment.
In a , 2024 also brought moments of triumph and reasons for hope. From groundbreaking business innovations to examples of remarkable resilience during crisis, here are some stories that remind us that positivity and creativity still thrive even in the most turbulent times.
Glaciers are crucial for regulating the global climate and providing freshwater, essential for billions of people, animals, and plants. However, these vital resources are rapidly melting due to climate change, driven mainly by human activities since the 1800s. The 51³Ô¹Ï has designated 2025 as the to highlight the importance of glaciers and ensure that those affected by glacier´s melting receive the support they need. Follow the (21 January, 2pm, CET) and join and to .
Every year since 2005, honours individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
In 2024, working on innovative and sustainable solutions to restore land, enhance drought resilience, and combat desertification.