In a conversation with Earth.Org, Vishwanath Srikantaiah, a water conservation expert and urban planner, discussed the many initiatives that have been implemented to improve water security in Bangalore, India’s third most populous city. Interestingly, many of these initiatives can be mapped – intentionally or not – to circular economy principles.

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By Sangeeta Jayadevan. Read part 2 here.

The circular economy is an economic system designed to be sustainable by keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible, thereby eliminating waste and reducing pollution. Unlike the traditional linear economy, which follows a “take, make, dispose” pattern where resources are extracted, made into products, and eventually discarded as waste, the circular economy aims to create a closed-loop system. Here, resources continuously flow through reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling.

Interestingly, water flows form a circular process, better known as the hydrological cycle: as temperatures increase, water evaporates from surface water bodies and oceans to form water vapor. In a process called transpiration, water vapour is also released from foliage of plants and trees. As the water vapor rises to cooler temperatures and its volume increases, clouds, and eventually precipitation in the form of rain, snow or hail storms, forms. Rainfall falling on oceans and on land replenishes water levels of surface water bodies as well as the soil.

The precipitation that does not run off or recharge groundwater but is stored in the soil is referred to as green water – and it is not available for use. Meanwhile, blue water refers to surface and groundwater stored in rivers, lakes, aquifers and dams that can be extracted for human consumption.

Plants and trees contribute to this cycle by absorbing soil moisture from their roots and releasing water vapour from their leaves. Their roots and foliage play a crucial role in the water cycle by retaining soil moisture and slowing rates of runoffs during rainfall. 

Human activities and climate change have significantly disrupted the water cycle, leading to the surpassing of the planetary boundary for freshwater. The precise manner in which human actions are affecting the hydrological cycle remains a critical question.

Urbanization has transformed vast expanses of once pristine landscapes, replacing permeable natural surfaces with impermeable concrete. This shift has caused a decline in groundwater levels, ultimately diminishing the available water supply for urban populations. Reduced infiltration rates have further repercussions, such as heightened risks of flash floods due to increased surface runoffs into water bodies. Additionally, pollutants originating from urban areas are carried by runoff and deposited into water ecosystems.

The process of urbanization also entails the removal of trees and vegetation, resulting in decreased transpiration. Typically, trees and vegetation retain water in their structures, facilitating groundwater recharge by aiding in soil absorption and retention. Deforestation leads to soil erosion, compromising its water-holding capacity and detrimentally affecting groundwater replenishment.

Lakes and water reservoirs are increasingly encroached upon by expanding urban developments, displacing natural water bodies with built structures. This encroachment diminishes the availability of drinking water, disrupts evaporation rates from these water sources, and hampers the potential for groundwater recharge.

Even in cases where lakes are left untouched, they are frequently utilized as dumping grounds for sewage and industrial effluents, resulting in water pollution. This contamination not only affects the lakes themselves but also seeps into groundwater reservoirs, rendering the water unfit for consumption.

Water Conservation

Recognizing that water is a finite resource, water conservation efforts have been implemented by multiple state and private entities, with varying degrees of success. 

Bangalore, India’s third-largest city with a population of over 14 million, has often grappled with a severe water crisis. Vishwanath Srikantaiah, a water conservation expert and urban planner, has been at the forefront of water conservation efforts in the city, advising and working with various communities to help make Bangalore more water resilient.

In a conversation with Earth.Org, Srikantaiah discussed the many initiatives that have been implemented to improve the city’s water security. Interestingly, many of these initiatives can be mapped – intentionally or not – to circular economy principles.

Reduce

During a recent water shortage, the city made the use of aerator taps across the city compulsory. “As part of demand management, Bengaluru has mandated water efficient fixtures on taps in all homes and commercial establishments,” explained Vishwanath.

Tap aerators can reduce water flow from 12-18 liters per minute to three-six liters per minute – potentially saving over 50% of water in kitchen and hand wash sinks without compromising functionality.

Re-use

In most households, water is allowed to simply drain away after use. This represents a massive waste of an already scarce natural resource. Instead, if this used water is chemically treated, it could well be reused by residents in homes for non-drinking purposes, thus reducing the overall need for water. In Bengaluru, water treatment using Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are mandated in apartments with over 150 flats. 

“Treated wastewater is a huge opportunity for any city. The water we use in our dishwashers,  washing machines  and showers is referred to as grey water. It can be treated at source at Sewage Treatment Plants in the apartment premises. This treated water is then available for use in our homes for non-drinking purposes,” explained Vishwanath. 

Recycle

Some industrial units require large quantities of water daily. Apartments are permitted to sell their excess treated water to such industries. Rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands are supplied with treated wastewater which helps their water levels increase, thereby recharging groundwater. Treated water is also supplied to farmers on the outskirts of the city. This helps farmers become water secure and in turn, helps Bengaluru city become food secure. In this manner water is recycled and put to productive use. 

“We need to invest in sewage networks so that every drop of grey water is collected and treated,” said Vishwanath. 

Bangalore is running the second-largest project of its kind in the world to treat roughly around 2,000 million litres per day of wastewater to fill 500 lakes and make sure that 64,000 farmers receive the treated wastewater. About 1.1 million hectares of land is brought under cultivation, so that the farmers are climate secure, water secure and the city is food secure. “Wastewater is recycled and put to productive use,” he said.

Treated wastewater can play a major role in meeting the growing water demand in rapidly expanding cities, supporting industrial development and sustainable agriculture. 

Strengthening the Water Cycle

Increased urbanization comes with an increase in impermeable surfaces, resulting in reduced infiltration, which has adversely impacted the natural water cycle. In Bengaluru, during the dry months, lakes are supplied with treated water which helps recharge water levels in underground aquifers. Rainwater harvesting is mandatory in apartments and other large facilities. There are plans to create recharge pits in parks and other open areas across the city to enable greater rainwater harvesting. These actions strengthen the natural water cycle by enabling greater water infiltration and groundwater recharging.  

With Bangalore’s rapid growth, implementation gaps are inevitable and water stress still manifests periodically. However, these initiatives, along with residents’ involvement and education, are a step in the right direction, said Vishwanath. Every rapidly growing city can successfully implement these ideas, strengthening the water-cycle and becoming self-sufficient in their water needs. 

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About the author: Sangeeta Jayadevan is an ex-IBMer with an interest in Climate Change, Sustainability and Earth Systems. She enjoys educating herself on this topic and then disseminating the information in simple terms. She volunteers with Earth.Org and with Statistics Without Borders.

The post Using Circular Economy Principles to Fight Water Insecurity: A Case Study from India appeared first on Earth.Org.

When we protect animals, we also protect ourselves and the planet.

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By Tricia Croasdell and Heather Brown

Last month, history was made. The World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a Pandemic Agreement to strengthen global cooperation to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics.

While many headlines have focused on how this new agreement will help protect human health during the next inevitable crisis, few have mentioned its role in protecting animals and ecosystems.  

The Covid-19 pandemic was a brutal wake-up call. It showed us the profound, global consequences of emerging infectious diseases – most of which originate in animals. Covid-19, Ebola, Zika, HIV, avian influenza, and many other devastating diseases all grew into global health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. These diseases pass between animals and humans as a consequence of wildlife exploitation, natural habitats encroachment, and reckless livestock farming practices. 

Quite simply, if we want to prevent future pandemics, we must address these root causes. The Pandemic Agreement gives us a chance to do exactly that. 

One of the most important aspects of the agreement is its inclusion of One Health – a recognition that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected. This marks the first time that countries have acknowledged its importance in an international, legally-binding agreement, meaning they will be held accountable in a different, more meaningful way. 

As climate change and biodiversity loss accelerate, ignoring this interconnection is no longer an option. 

Human activities do not just damage ecosystems – they create the perfect storm for viruses to jump from animals to humans. The more humans encroach on natural habitats, trade wildlife, and intensify livestock farming, the more we tip the balance, fuelling that storm and increasing the chances of new pandemics. 

Animal Protection Is Pandemic Prevention 

The science is clear. Reports from the United Nations Environment Programme and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services have identified wildlife trade, land use change and intensive animal farming as primary pandemic drivers. But it does not have to be this way. By addressing these root causes we can lower the risk of pandemics before they begin. 

Better treatment of animals is both ethical and a practical part of pandemic prevention. Healthy animals help regulate disease. But animals in poor environments, on poor diets, or in other stressful conditions are more susceptible to illness. These poor conditions weaken an animal’s immune system and allow diseases to emerge, mutate, and spread. 

Commercial wildlife trade poses additional public health risks, including poor hygiene due to the high concentration of animals and regular animal-human contact associated with the practices. High-density, low-welfare livestock operations are also vulnerable to outbreaks, and, to make things worse, they often rely heavily on antibiotics – fuelling another global health threat: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

More on the topic: The Environmental Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance

The Pandemic Agreement rightly calls for action to address drivers at the human-animal-environment interface, reducing risks associated with human-animal interactions, and for prudent use of antimicrobials in relevant sectors.  

A Safer Future for All Living Things 

For too long now, pandemic response has focused on reacting to outbreaks rather than preventing them. But real prevention starts upstream – by changing how we interact with animals and ecosystems.

How we treat animals and interact with our environment is something we can absolutely control. Poor animal welfare practices increase pandemic risks, but this means that the opposite is also true – improving our interactions with animals lowers those risks. If we cannot fully prevent the next crisis, we can at least delay it and reduce its impacts. 

We have an opportunity here. The Pandemic Agreement offers us a chance to rethink our relationship with the natural world. This means halting habitat destruction and promoting ecosystem restoration. It means ending high-risk commercial wildlife trade. It means transitioning to more humane, sustainable farming practices. And it means investing in the health and welfare of animals – not just because it benefits humans but because animals are sentient beings who deserve protection in their own right. 

Pandemic preparedness is ultimately about unity, recognizing that no one is safe until everyone is safe. That safety must extend beyond humans to include animals. Our survival is linked with theirs.

The recent spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) into species like dairy cows, mink, cats, dogs, and sea lions has raised alarm bells among scientists. The more a virus jumps between species, the greater the risk it could adapt to humans. Millions of animals have already been affected, impacting human health, well-being, and livelihoods. It’s a stark reminder that pandemics don’t begin in hospitals. They begin in forests, on farms, and in markets. 

To be truly effective, we must consider the role of animals not just as disease hosts, but as sentient beings and partners in prevention. Ultimately, pandemic prevention is about changing how we live, farm and interact with the planet.  

We have a rare opportunity to reshape how the world prepares for health threats and put into action the deeper truth: when we protect animals, we also protect ourselves and the planet. Let’s not waste it. 

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About the authors: Tricia Croasdell is CEO at the World Animal Protection. Heather Brown is External Affairs Manager at the World Animal Protection.

The post Why the Pandemic Agreement Matters for Animal Protection appeared first on Earth.Org.

Who gets to decide how we confront the climate crisis – and reshape the systems that drive it? This article explores why inclusive, collaborative governance is essential for climate justice and how you can help shape the path forward. 

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By Tracy Jooste and Morag Mwenya Neill-Johnson

Across the world, communities are engaging with the climate crisis in the most diverse and meaningful ways, from local sustainability initiatives to regionally coordinated conservation efforts. At the same time, however, decision-making structures at the national and global levels do not always reflect this breadth of engagement nor develop pathways to include other non-traditional actors for a more coordinated, equitable response to the climate crisis. 

Often, the structures and systems that shape climate governance, like policy frameworks, funding mechanisms, institutional norms, and coordination processes, remain centralized or siloed. This limits meaningful participation from communities and stakeholders directly affected by the climate crisis. At the same time, elite voices and corporate interests dominate the decision-making process. 

The outcomes of last November’s COP29 clearly underscored these gaps, fueling a growing demand to democratize climate governance to ensure marginalized voices can help shape future climate negotiations, including at the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil. 

Historically, women, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and low-income populations have had fewer resources to adapt to climate change; at the same time, youth and future generations bear risks they did not create. These realities highlight the urgent need for climate policies that amplify the voices of those most affected. 

Top-down solutions alone will not deliver climate justice. Rebuilding legitimacy requires shifting power toward people, especially those already leading locally rooted climate action. 

Collaborative Governance and Climate Justice 

Climate justice is inseparable from broader struggles for human rights. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment sits alongside rights to housing, food, water, and health. 

Realizing these rights in the context of a changing global climate requires more than policy pledges; it calls for grounded, inclusive approaches that reflect the realities of people on the frontlines. That is where collaborative governance comes in.  

More fit-to-purpose collaborative governance – where governments, communities, and other groups work together to solve problems – is needed to address these challenges. If done well, it helps build trust, share power, and make sure that those most affected are included in the solution-shaping process. By bringing together public officials, researchers, activists, and citizens, this approach creates fairer, more practical, and lasting responses to today’s biggest climate challenges. It yields solutions that no single actor could achieve alone, and ensures that policies are more just and responsive to lived experiences.  

Across the globe, people-centered climate innovations led by local coalitions are showing what is possible. We do not need to start from scratch. We need to amplify, connect, and learn from the action already underway. 

In the South African City of Tshwane, for example, informal settlement residents helped co-design the city’s solid waste strategy through a collaborative governance process led by the Asivikelane coalition. Working alongside government officials, waste managers, and private companies, residents contributed ideas and local knowledge to shape sustainable waste management solutions. The resulting strategy was formally adopted by the municipality in November last year. It prioritizes recycling, composting, and community-led collection, addressing environmental injustice while advancing circular economy goals. 

More than a policy achievement, the process laid a foundation for more inclusive, responsive governance across the city. 

Reshaping Governance

Despite decades of climate negotiations, those most impacted by the climate crisis continue to be sidelined in decision-making spaces. The shortcomings of COP29 have sparked a growing call to democratize climate governance and ensure that voices from the Global South meaningfully shape future negotiations. Solving global problems requires local intelligence and inclusive leadership. 

To this end, the Centre for Public Impact (CPI) and the Governance Action Hub at Results for Development (R4D) are scoping a Climate Justice working group, a cross-regional community of practitioners, policymakers, funders, researchers, and organizers who are testing new models of climate governance rooted in equity, collective action, and justice. 

First, we have launched a Climate Justice Scoping Survey to gather insights from those working on the frontlines of climate action. It is an invitation to critically reflect on what works and what doesn’t, and how collaborative governance can be strengthened to effectively deliver on the promise of climate justice. 

From participatory budgeting to community-led climate adaptation, many efforts have expanded participation, but they also face risks of capture, exclusion, or limited impact. This survey is a chance to learn from that complexity. Whether you are part of a local initiative or shaping national policy, your experiences, challenges, and successes can help inform a global dialogue. 

Insights from the survey will help us organize a cross-regional Climate Justice Working Group, which will convene practitioners, policymakers, funders, and researchers to develop strategies for a more inclusive and accountable climate governance together. This group will serve as a platform for shared learnings, pilot new governance approaches, and help amplify local leadership in global decision-making spaces.

The Need for Collective Leadership

With COP30 approaching and the impact of global warming that continues to increase exponentially, the need to reimagine climate governance has never been more urgent. Collaborative governance is not a silver bullet, but if it’s done well, it leads to real change and empowers those most affected by the climate crisis. Across the globe, communities are already demonstrating the change we need by developing inclusive solutions grounded in justice, local knowledge, and lived experience.

Policymakers, funders, researchers, and civil society need to listen, learn, and work together to elevate frontline leadership, dismantle barriers to participation, and build decision-making systems that reflect the world we hope to create. Let’s not miss this moment.

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About the authors:

Tracy Jooste is the Associate Director of the Governance Action Hub at R4D. She collaborates with global and local partners to co-create and test innovative governance solutions and plays a cross-cutting strategy and management role.  

Morag Mwenya Neill-Johnson is a Senior Programme Manager at the Centre for Public Impact. Committed to advancing intersectional justice and systems-focused development practice, her cross-sectoral experience spans grassroots grantmaking, WASH innovation, and the design of collaborative learning networks.

The post Collaborative Governance Is Key to Climate Justice appeared first on Earth.Org.

The impact of extreme heat on women isn’t merely about discomfort – it is physiological, economic, and deeply personal.

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By Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu

Scorching sun, no shade, and temperatures soaring to 32C – the relentless heat takes its toll on Auntie Fausty, a hardworking woman in her mid-50s, who ekes out a living selling bags in Accra, Ghana’s capital city, at the brimming Makola Market. As she sits in a worn plastic chair, her eyes scan the crowded market, searching for customers.

But the heat is suffocating, draining the life from her very pores. Auntie Fausty wipes the sweat from her brow with a tattered rug, her face a map of deep lines and creases. And yet, despite the oppressive heat, she remains steadfast, her beautifully arranged bags a testament to her unyielding spirit. 

“After the harmattan season in January, the heat becomes intense, lasting till the rains arrive in May or June,” she shares, her voice laced with resilience and resolve. She describes her typical day: “I face harsh conditions from morning till 3 pm, sweating profusely and drinking plenty of water to cope, all while worrying about making ends meet.”

Women Bear the Heat

Just a short walk away at Tema Station market, Ama Serwaa meticulously arranges her collection of local spices beneath the fragile sanctuary of a faded umbrella. Like Auntie Fausty, she battles not only the economic pressures of urban survival but also the physical assault of rising temperatures.

“The afternoon sun feels like punishment,” Ama confides, her voice dropping to a whisper as though the heat might overhear and grow stronger. “The headaches come like clockwork – throbbing, blinding pain that only painkillers can touch. Sometimes, all I can do is close my eyes and rest, even as customers walk by.” 

As both women speak, others move through the market carrying heavy loads balanced precariously on their heads. The scene presents a stark visual metaphor – Ghana’s women literally bearing the weight of economic necessity while simultaneously enduring the crushing burden of climate change’s thermal consequences. 

Their reality stands in sharp contrast to those who spend days in air-conditioned offices. For these market women, there is no escape button, no thermostat to adjust when the heat becomes unbearable. Their workplace is exposed to the elements, their bodies the frontline in a climate battle they never asked to fight.

The Female Body Under Fire 

The impact of extreme heat on women isn’t merely about discomfort – it is physiological, economic, and deeply personal. According to Kathy Baughman McLeod, Chief Executive Officer of Climate Resilience for All, biology itself places women at greater risk. 

“Ecologically, women’s bodies respond differently to heat stress,” McLeod explained. “It’s not just perception – their cardiovascular systems, skin structure, and hormonal fluctuations create unique vulnerabilities that science is only beginning to properly document.” 

The consequences extend far beyond temporary discomfort. McLeod’s voice grew solemn as she shared observations from partner communities in South Asia: “We’ve documented daily skin rashes, chronic dizziness, debilitating headaches – and most devastating of all, miscarriages directly attributable to extreme heat exposure. Last May alone, six women from our community partners died from heat-related causes while working outdoors.” 

Caryn Agyeman Prempeh, Health Director at La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly, added medical context to these lived experiences. “Heat stress triggers cortisol release in women’s bodies, creating hormonal imbalances that manifest as visible skin conditions like acne and eczema, but also as invisible threats to reproductive health.” 

“When a woman experiences prolonged heat exposure day after day, her entire endocrine system can be affected. The body perpetually believes it’s under attack.” 

Fertility Amidst Flames

The consequences of heat on fertility are particularly devastating for women, as rising temperatures disrupt the intricate physiological processes that regulate reproduction. 

Research reveals that rising temperatures interfere with the hypothalamus – the brain’s regulator of reproductive function. In heat stress on reproductive function and fertility in mammals, studies show that under heat stress, the hypothalamus falters, disrupting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This results in erratic hormonal signals throughout the body. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, both crucial for egg maturation, fail to function properly, leaving ovarian follicles stranded and unable to develop. The system that should enable life is left out of sync, and ovulation is brought to a halt.

For pregnant women, the dangers are even more dire. Elevated body temperatures do not just affect the mother – they place the unborn child in jeopardy. Heat stress transforms the womb, once a sanctuary, into a hostile environment. Miscarriages, stillbirths, and severe birth defects are far more likely when heat overwhelms the body’s natural processes. The future, once filled with the potential of new life, is suddenly erased, as heat robs it before it even has a chance to form.

In Zimbabwe’s Kusile rural district, where climate change and inadequate healthcare intersect, pregnant women face an existential threat. This nightmare is a devastating reality for far too many. Meck Sibanda, Executive Director of the Christian Youth Volunteers Association Trust, bears witness to this crisis: “Rural women embark on perilous journeys to access basic healthcare, including maternity care. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a matter of life and death.” 

Men are not exempt from the impact of heat, though their struggle is less visible. Heat was found to affect men’s testes, the organs responsible for sperm production. Excessive heat can impair the function of the cells within the testes, leading to reduced sperm production and compromised sperm quality. Sperm counts may drop, and DNA integrity can be affected. However, these changes are often reversible once temperatures return to normal.

Both men and women face the wrath of heat, but women bear the heaviest burden. The damage to female fertility can be irreversible, robbing them of the chance to conceive. While male fertility may recover, women’s reproductive systems are often left permanently altered. In the fight against a warming world, heat is not just a physical stress – it is a thief of life, stealing futures and leaving bodies in its wake. 

More on the topic: South Sudanese Women Disproportionally Affected By Climate Change-Fueled Heat: Study

Northern Heat, Northern Pain

Travel northward to Bolgatanga in Ghana’s Upper East Region, and the temperature climbs even higher. Here, where the mercury regularly touches 40C, another deadly consequence of extreme heat emerges from the parched landscape. 

Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) cases surge during peak heat periods, turning temperature into a matter of life and death. The northern regions have recorded thousands of cases over recent years, with fatality rates that send shudders through local health systems. 

Here too, women bear additional burdens. As primary caregivers, they typically carry on with their domestic responsibilities even when sick. They walk farther for increasingly scarce water. They maintain households while their own health deteriorates under the double assault of heat and duty. 

“We are the nurses when clinics are too far away,” said Adisa Adams, a mother of three from a village outside Bolgatanga. “We are the ones who must remain strong when others fall ill. But who cares for us when the heat makes us weak?” 

Science Behind the Sweat

Ghana’s rising temperatures are no accident or natural fluctuation. A 2014 paper documented how greenhouse gas emissions from fuel consumption, deforestation, and agricultural practices have accelerated since 1990, pushing Ghana toward a climate tipping point despite its relatively small global emissions footprint. 

By 2020, all of Ghana’s ecological zones had surpassed 2C warming – a threshold once considered a distant concern. Projections for 2050 and 2080 suggest continued temperature increases that threaten to remake the country’s environmental and social landscape. 

The consequences ripple through every sector. Agriculture yields decline as crops wither under intensifying heat. Hydropower generation falters as rainfall patterns shift. Public health crises multiply with increased incidence of malaria and cholera. And at every point of impact, women – especially those with limited economic resources – absorb the harshest effects. A study published in April delivered even more sobering news: heatwaves across Ghana are becoming more frequent, longer in duration, and more intense in their peak temperatures. The northern regions, particularly the Sudan Savannah zone, experience the most severe conditions, yet they receive the least attention in climate adaptation planning.

The Gendered Cost of Climate 

Extreme heat does not affect all Ghanaians equally. Women – especially those who work outdoors, care for families, or live in poverty – are disproportionately exposed and less protected. Their labor is invisible, their suffering normalized. 

“We must view heat stress as a gendered health crisis,” said Prempeh. “The public sees women in markets but rarely thinks about what that exposure does to their organs, their fertility, or their future.” 

Beyond markets, women working as farmers, cleaners, food vendors, and teachers are increasingly reporting chronic fatigue, heatstroke, and productivity loss. Yet policies remain gender-neutral – blind to the fact that equal isn’t always equitable. 

Despite these challenges, women across Ghana demonstrate remarkable adaptability. The World Health Organization recommends simple preventive measures: staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours, wearing appropriate clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible.

Pushing For Change in a Burning Landscape

Christopher Gordon, former director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana, identified the vicious cycle trapping Ghana in escalating heat. 

“We’re cutting down forests while cocoa yields decline,” he said. “Farmers, desperate for income, sell land to illegal gold miners. The result? More deforestation, polluted water bodies, and temperatures that climb even higher.” 

His analysis revealed the interconnectedness of environmental degradation and climate consequences. Deforestation reduces natural cooling, accelerates soil erosion, and diminishes water retention – all factors that intensify heat impacts, particularly in rural communities where women are central to agricultural production. 

For the first time, Ghana has appointed a dedicated Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability – Baba Issifu Seidu. This institutional recognition of climate challenges offers new hope for policy interventions that might specifically address heat’s gendered impacts. Minister Seidu’s engagement with University of Ghana academics signals a promising shift toward evidence-based climate policy. For this approach to succeed, it must recognize and address the specific vulnerabilities of women while amplifying their essential role in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. 

Cooling Communities Through Collaboration 

Innovation emerges from necessity. Across Ghana, women are not merely victims of climate change but pioneers of climate solutions. 

The national tree-planting initiative represents one scalable approach to heat mitigation. Millions of trees planted annually provide essential shade, cool surrounding air through evapotranspiration, and help reduce urban heat island effects that make cities particularly dangerous during extreme heat events. 

More targeted interventions also show particular promise. The Heat Adaptation Benefits for Vulnerable Groups in Africa (HABVIA) project has implemented a roof-painting initiative in communities including Ga-Mashie in Accra and  Nkwantakese in Kumasi. The program applies specialized reflective paint to approximately 30 homes in each location, significantly reducing interior temperatures. 

“Before the white roof, my children couldn’t sleep at night because of the heat,” explained Maamle Sackey, a participant in Ga-Mashie. “Now our home stays cooler, and we rest better. My headaches have lessened too.” 

Doreen Larkailey Lartey, a researcher with the University of Ghana Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies, believes in women’s capacity to cool their environments through small-scale interventions.

“Urban women have extraordinary power to transform microclimates,” Lartey said. “Home gardens, reduced energy consumption, and water conservation—these seemingly small actions multiply when communities embrace them collectively.” 

Her vision is both practical and inspirational: thousands of small gardens transforming Ghana’s urban heat profile while improving food security and enhancing biodiversity. “Women already hold ecological knowledge,” she insisted. “They simply need resources and recognition to deploy it effectively.” 

As rising temperatures scorch the West African nation of Ghana, the heat is on to act. Women, often the most vulnerable to the climate crisis, bear the brunt of droughts, floods, and storms. To shield them and future generations from the worst impacts of climate change, Ghana must adopt policies that prioritize their needs and perspectives. Integrating climate change mitigation, public health protection, and social equity will forge a resilient, equitable, and thriving future. The time for collective action is now – Ghana’s women, and its very future, depend on it. 

Featured image: Ernest Ankomah.

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About the author:

Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu is a science journalist specializing in the gendered impacts of climate change across West Africa. This report was supported by the African Women in Media (AWiM) with support from the Fojo Media Institute.

The post Extreme Heat Is Hitting Women in Ghana Hard appeared first on Earth.Org.

“While Kenya’s NDC gestures toward inclusivity, it misses several critical justice touchpoints,” argue Abigael Kima and Jaël Poelen of Hivos’s Voices for Just Climate Action program.

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By Abigael Kima & Jaël Poelen

With its latest Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, Kenya has positioned itself as a climate leader, setting ambitious goals to slash emissions by 35% and build a resilient, green economy by 2035.

At first glance, it is inspiring, especially from a country responsible for just 0.16% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But ambition and action, while necessary, are not the same as justice. And for Kenya’s frontline communities, those already living on the edge of climate impacts, the question isn’t just how bold this NDC is, but who it is bold for.

NDCs are at the heart of the Paris Agreement, the global climate pact where every country commits to doing its part to limit warming to 1.5C. Each updated NDC is expected to raise ambition and create a blueprint for national climate action until 2035, aligning with the global goals. Kenya’s latest NDC does just that – on paper.

The new plan outlines a future of lowered emissions and increased investment in climate resilience. It is framed not only as a climate action roadmap but also as a national investment tool, designed to boost sustainability and prosperity. The document aligns with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and its Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), signaling Kenya’s readiness to lead in climate diplomacy.

But as impressive as this may sound, it raises an uncomfortable question: can this promise of resilience and green growth anchored on energy policy reforms reach those most at risk, such as smallholder farmers, off-grid communities, and women in arid lands, without a strong foundation in justice?

You might also like: Assessing the Progress on the Implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation

Impact on Frontline Communities

At its core, climate justice is about more than emissions, it is about fairness. It means acknowledging the unequal burdens of climate change, respecting the diverse needs of affected communities, and ensuring meaningful participation in shaping the policies that govern their future. It means distributing resources not just efficiently, but equitably, so that the most vulnerable are not left behind.

While Kenya’s NDC gestures toward inclusivity, it misses several critical justice touchpoints.

First, consider the distribution of goods and services, specifically energy. In Kenya, access to energy remains uneven, and simply expanding access is not enough. Energy, as a means to an end, must be understood in terms of who it serves and for what purpose. To truly embed justice into power reforms, the NDC must confront the reality of energy poverty in local communities. This requires addressing not only provision, but also productive use: ensuring that communities can leverage energy access for economic resilience. A justice-centered NDC would go beyond basic provision to address affordability, usability, and long-term local benefit.

Second, there are concerns around financing. While the NDC is grounded in the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities, as well as Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, it places heavy emphasis on mobilizing private capital by “boosting private sector investment.” Although private finance is essential in the era of green investment, this approach risks undermining climate justice for frontline communities. Without clear regulatory frameworks, reliance on private capital could sideline public interests and deepen inequalities.

Kenya must strike a careful balance: welcoming private investment while ensuring it aligns with justice goals and does not compromise the established climate finance architecture of the Paris Agreement.

Finally, climate justice demands genuine participation. It is about enabling people to take part in shaping the environmental policies that affect their lives. This includes the fair distribution of goods, the right to live a healthy life, and the protection of the climate-vulnerable. While the NDC promotes a “whole-of-government, whole-of-community” strategy for implementation, the process that led to its development appears top-down.

Participation must begin at the policy design stage, not just during implementation. Without this, the sense of community ownership is weakened, and with it, the potential for successful and just implementation.

What Is Necessary Ahead of 2031?

Kenya’s climate roadmap is ambitious, and many elements, like the focus on gender, adaptation, and loss and damage, are commendable. But if it is to be a true blueprint for justice that will be implemented in the next six years, three shifts are needed:

1. Prioritize community needs in energy policy, including local productive use.
2. Regulate and guide private investment to serve justice, not just markets.
3. Ensure participatory governance from policy design to implementation.

The next phase of the NDC must fight for fairness as fiercely as it fights for emissions cuts. Kenya has already shown that climate ambition can rise from the Global Majority. Now it has the chance to prove that climate justice can, too. The question isn’t just whether we will cut carbon. It is whether we will build a future where every Kenyan has a place, and a voice, in the solution.

Featured image: Climate Centre/Flickr.

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About the authors:

Abigael Kima is a leading climate justice advocate from Kenya, a Project Officer at Hivos under the Voices for Just Climate Action program and hosts the Hali Hewa Podcast about African climate stories.

Jaël Poelen is the Global Advocacy and Communications Officer at Hivos for the Voices for Just Climate Action program, which aims to amplify the voices of people and communities most affected by climate change.

The post Kenya’s New Climate Pledge Is Bold, But Is It Fair? appeared first on Earth.Org.

“Markets are not inherently incompatible with nature regeneration. They simply have not been given the knowledge and tools to recognize the real value of nature nor the incentives to change their behavior,” writes financial economist Ralph Chami.

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By Ralph Chami

Over the past century, the global economy has expanded while the natural world has contracted. This phenomenon is no accident.

Since 1925, global GDP has risen fifteen-fold. At the same time, we have lost half of the world’s coral reefs, witnessed the extinction of hundreds of species, cleared forests, and polluted rivers and oceans. The rise in income, meanwhile, remains highly skewed and has come at the cost of our collective wealth. 

It is no coincidence that Adam Smith, the father of modern economy, entitled his thesis “The Wealth of Nations” – and not “The Income of Nations.” 

Living nature needs to be acknowledged and recognized for its value and fundamental role in sustaining our social and economic systems. This should be followed by urgent efforts at nature restoration. And restoration needs money. 

Between carbon markets, government conferences and philanthropy, however, the funds needed to sequester carbon and revive nature are yet to materialize. Moreover, they are not sufficient to withstand the persistent pressure from well-resourced markets designed for extraction from the natural world.  

The nascent carbon credit market, originally intended to channel capital into environmental protection, suffers from poor public perception, and for good reason. Many projects, particularly those focused on “avoided emissions,” have struggled to attract the level of capital needed. Standards vary, verification is patchy, and there is often limited involvement of local and Indigenous communities, who are critical to the success of conservation efforts.

Surprisingly, private capital can be used in a restorative way. Its owners, by realizing the pivotal role of nature in our economy and its impact on their business, would also find it in their best interest to protect and restore nature and reap monetary benefit in doing so. This would also help fill the gap left by governments, NGOs and philanthropists. 

To bring in capital in an equitable and nature-positive way, we must adopt a holistic approach to nature restoration that also generates the hard returns that would attract investors to nature restoration. In short, we need a new kind of capital market.

You might also like: What Are Carbon Credits and How Do They Work?

Capital markets built on raw materials such as timber, fish, and oil are purely extractive. Take timber as an example. The global timber market is a significant economic force, generating some $1.5 trillion annually. Trees gain a price once cut down and processed. However, standing forests provide far more value; they sequester carbon, filter water, promote decomposition and support biodiversity. Yet markets fail to recognize these services.

Markets are built on the work of oceans, forests, grasslands, animals and microbial life – this is the work of the living nature. Every supply chain, manufacturing plant, data center and retail store depends on predictable seasons, fresh water, fertile soil, and healthy oceans. Without regenerating these natural systems, the supply of natural resources becomes volatile and unsustainable. Markets need to recognize the value of these “regulating” services of the living nature.

Price, in principle, should reflect value, an assumption that underpins classical economics. However, there are cases, such as with externalities, where prices fail to do. Ecosystem services, provided by a living nature, are treated as externalities: degraded without accounting for the long-term value they provide. As such, living nature remains invisible to markets, which, in turn, continue their extractive and destructive behavior toward nature. 

We are already feeling the financial consequences of this economic blindness. For example, crop failures driven by drought and desertification are already decimating global agriculture markets. According to the UN, desertification and land degradation cost the global economy up to $15 trillion a year. 

Markets are not inherently incompatible with nature regeneration. They simply have not been given the knowledge and tools to recognize the real value of nature nor the incentives to change their behavior. Once there is change in mindset, the speed and scale of capital flows will become a powerful force for restoring ecosystems.

Changing the Course

Creating a market for regenerative nature is a matter of translating the value of ecosystem services into a language the markets can understand. It is then about providing data about the condition of the natural asset that the market can trust.

The recently announced deal between Laconic and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a perfect example of a “nature positive” market, providing a scalable framework for carbon and nature markets 2.0 to be built on. Laconic will package and sell Sovereign Carbon Securities (SCS) comprising a holistic set of Nationally Determined Contributions commitments – combining the restoration of 150,000 square kilometers of seagrass meadows. These financial instruments can be sold under Article 6.2 of the Paris Accord to “carbon deficit” countries – those needing offsets to reach their net zero commitments, as well as to corporations under Article 6.4, or investors looking to “go long” on carbon.

More on the topic: Explainer: What Is Article 6 of the Paris Agreement?

This deal represents a “system’s approach” towards nature protection and restoration. It does so by avoiding the overemphasis on carbon sequestration as a sufficient metric for the health of nature and its stewards. Instead, it uses a more holistic approach towards nature and its biodiversity and recognizes the role of the government and local communities in the preservation and restoration of blue natural capital. This represents a new social compact that involves the government, the Bahamian people and the Living Nature, where nature and its stewards thrive in perpetuity.

The success of such a project will rest on its “micro-foundations” – a set of principles coupled with state-of-the-art technology and partnerships that allow the deal to happen and for benefits to be realized. These principles include: avoiding the sale of the underlying asset; using the funds from the sale of ecosystem services to protect and restore the underlying asset in perpetuity; ensuring that Indigenous and Local Communities (IPLCs) have management control; that the project benefits from their knowledge; and that they are net beneficiaries of the revenue generated by the new asset. 

Beyond the three core principles, the natural asset becomes a tradable financial asset through a series of steps. First, legal ownership of the land was codified into law. Then, technology was used to ascertain the size, historical loss, threats, potential growth and health of the natural asset. Science-based models were then used to project the valuation of the potential carbon that would accrue over time. 

All the data that is generated is maintained on a digital ledger that provides real-time data to the markets. These securities – insured against political, operational and hurricane risk, thus immunizing potential investors against risk – can then be resold onto the open market. 

New Technologies

In contrast to carbon markets 1.0, this new deal includes robust, transparent, independent and technology-enabled verification. Emerging technologies, such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and immutable ledgers are increasingly enabling us to create accurate valuations and projections of living nature. This allows for the production of precise data on ecosystems’ health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Satellite imagery and AI-powered sensors deliver real-time insights into interconnected natural systems, allowing us to accurately measure the true value of these environmental services. 

Artificial intelligence can process this data rapidly. Blockchain enables transparent, verifiable transactions for natural capital, avoiding the problem of double counting. These technologies collectively improve our ability to accurately measure asset behavior, report accurately on all activities related to asset protection and restoration, and track all related financial transactions, thereby enhancing trust in nature markets and inducing much-needed private investment. 

We are building science-based financial mechanisms that allow markets to recognize value in living nature and in its services. With this increased understanding of the value of ecosystem services and the role of IPLCs in nature’s resilience, private actors can now recognize the impact of their actions on nature and its stewards. This will trigger a change in mindset and behavior, followed by actions including much needed investments in nature protection and restoration that should ensure shared prosperity along with a thriving natural world. A regenerative nature market is born. 

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About the author: Ralph Chami is a financial economist with over 35 years of experience, including 25 years at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he served as Assistant Director. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Blue Green Future, an organisation dedicated to integrating natural capital into economic systems.

The post How Capital Markets Can Save Living Nature  appeared first on Earth.Org.

The Right to Repair movement seeks to empower consumers to make sustainable choices when it comes to broken or spent goods and to define consumers and businesses’ future relationship with technology manufacturers. Earth.Org looks at the origins of the movement, its impact, and how you can get involved.

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By Virginia McAll

Repairing broken technology is not always straightforward. Increasingly, manufacturers have been purposefully designing products with short life spans, making repairs more challenging due to a lack of guidance and spare parts to perform repairs. The “right to repair” movement aims to change this by encouraging manufacturers to create products that are easier  to repair. This can be done by extending a product’s life cycle and removing software barriers that hinder third-party and self-repairs. 

The movement draws attention to the impact of electronic waste, or e-waste, on the planet by promoting consumers’ right to prolong a product’s lifecycle through repairs. It has attracted a diverse range of supporters, including tech activists, independent repair businesses and grassroots organizations.

The debate extends across multiple facets of technology, inclusive of home appliances, devices, medical equipment, and vehicles. With digitization driving the demand for devices, the production process consumes raw materials. For instance, smartphones consist of over 70 components utilizing more than 60 different metals. 

As digitalization grows, so does e-waste. In 2022 alone, 14 metric tons (Mt) of e-waste were disposed of. 18 Mt were handled in low-income countries with insufficient management infrastructure; while global rates of recycling sat at 22.3%. By 2030, e-waste is projected to grow to 74.7 Mt.

Innovation is making infrastructure and products more durable and repairable but we also need to defend our rights to uphold these measures. And thanks to this growing movement, calls for greater legislation to defend consumers’ right to repair are finally bearing fruit.

More on the topic: New York Passes First Right to Repair Law for Electronics in the US

What Can You Do About It? 

1. Find out what is happening in your country

Changes to legislation are brewing across the globe, so check out what is happening where you are, to keep ahead of changes coming your way.

In the European Union, for example, the Directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods aims to reduce waste by making it “easier and more cost-effective for consumers to repair as opposed to replace goods.” 

The directive, adopted in 2023 as part of the bloc’s Circular Economy Action Plan, establishes several key provisions aimed at enhancing consumer rights and promoting sustainability, including granting consumers the right to claim repair from producers for technically repairable products like washing machines and TVs. Producers must also inform consumers about products they must repair themselves. An online matchmaking repair platform will connect consumers with repairers and sellers of refurbished goods, facilitating easy access to repair services and sustainable options. Additionally, the directive introduces a European Repair Information Form for transparent repair conditions and pricing, and a European quality standard for repair services to help consumers identify high-quality repairers committed to minimum standards across EU countries.

In 2021, the UK Government introduced the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations, commonly referred to as Right to Repair regulations. The rules aim to extend the life of products, predominantly household appliances, and reduce e-waste by legally requiring manufacturers and importers to make spare parts for their products available to professional repairers and consumers.

2. Take action

If you do not feel like what is happening is enough, or you want to challenge a decision, you are probably not alone. Many campaigners are acting to advocate for consumer voices to be heard. 

iFixit, a repair platform offering step-by-step guides to keep consumers informed and quality parts and tools to help you do your own repairs, is a huge advocate for the right to repair and has a wide online community of repairers. 

You can also check out what is happening in your specific country:

• If you are in the US, find your state’s page on repair.org.
• If you are in Canada, see Can Repair. 
• If you are in Australia, check out the Australian Repair Network
• If you are in the EU, check Repair.eu

3. Choose second-hand

One of the least impactful and most sustainable choices you can make for the environment is to first check out second-hand markets when picking up new gadgets, using up what already exists. Shopping preloved electronics will not only be good for your bank account but it will also help reduce e-waste, which is detrimental to the environment.

If you are in the market for something new, tech innovators are working to produce easily repairable, modular devices. For instance, Framework, a consumer electronics provider, incorporates modularity in its designs and provides educational resources to upskill people to perform repairs. The company incorporates post-consumer recycled plastics and metals and selected materials that have robust recycling supply chains available at end-of-life. They acknowledge further improvements can be made towards circularity, integrating life cycle analysis into their practices to identify improvements. Fairphone operates similarly, offering a range of phones, headphones, and spare parts you might need to keep your valuables updated and working smoothly.

The post Reclaiming Control: How You Can Join the Right to Repair Movement appeared first on Earth.Org.

“As a global shipping hub, as a coastal city which is bound to be increasingly impacted by sea-level rise and as a beacon of biodiversity that hosts 26% of the total marine biodiversity of China, Hong Kong knows all too well that the ocean is not an issue like any other,” writes French consul general Christile Drulhe.

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By Christile Drulhe

Between June 9 and 13, 2025, in exactly one month’s time, France will co-host with Costa Rica the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). For this crucial event, around 100 Heads of State and Government as well as tens of thousands of researchers, scientists, economic actors, activists and citizens from around the world will converge in Nice. The aim is clear: protecting the ocean through tangible action. 

On June 7, Nice will also host the first-ever Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit, to bring together representatives of the cities and local authorities most affected by the rise in sea levels to bolster information-sharing and good practices in a collaborative manner.

The ocean is our common good. One in three people relies on the ocean for their livelihood, yet the ocean is in danger. The figures are worrying: more than eight million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, according to a study published in the journal Science. Moreover, more than a third of fish stocks suffer from overfishing, while ocean acidification, rising sea levels and the destruction of marine ecosystems gain pace, as direct consequences of climate change.

We must act now. Ten years after COP21 and the Paris Agreement, which established a binding global framework to mitigate climate change, the third UN Ocean Conference is a historic opportunity. The “Nice Ocean Agreements” can form an international pact for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. 

The protection of the ocean requires public and private funding, and support for a sustainable blue economy. To continue enjoying the incredible economic opportunities offered by the ocean, we need to make sure marine resources can regenerate. In Nice, several commitments will be announced for global trade, shipping, tourism and investment. 

Lastly, how can we protect something that we don’t – or insufficiently – know? 

We need to enhance our knowledge of the ocean and disseminate it more effectively, and Hong Kong scientists have a key role to play in this regard. Only a few days ago, after a successful French Science Festival on Ocean last October, we were pleased to co-organise with the Department of Ocean Science of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum a Blue Talk to raise awareness among the public on the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity. Speakers from the government, the civil society and scientific institutions as well as the public showed a deep interest in how we can take collective action to protect the ocean. It is all the more crucial as today, we are capable of mapping the surface of the Moon and Mars, but the depths of the ocean – which covers 70% of Earth’s surface – remain largely unknown. 

Hong Kong has an opportunity to actively take part in the dynamic of the Conference in Nice. As a global shipping hub, as a coastal city which is bound to be increasingly impacted by sea-level rise and as a beacon of biodiversity that hosts 26% of the total marine biodiversity of China, Hong Kong knows all too well that the ocean is not an issue like any other. In fact, Hong Kong can bring an invaluable contribution to these talks, through its vibrant civil society, in-depth scientific knowledge of local stakes, strong culture of philanthropy and relevant policies. 

The action plan on green maritime fuel bunkering adopted last year is an encouraging step to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime centre. This topic will be one of the key issues to be discussed at UNOC, with the contribution of participants from Hong Kong. For this reason, representatives of the Hong Kong government, scientists and companies have been invited to share their sense of commitment, expertise and insights in Nice.

The ocean is a universal bond, crucial for our future: it is everyone’s business. Together, we can make the third UN Ocean Conference a major turning point for every part of our planet.

Featured image: johnlsl/Flickr.

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About the author: Christile Drulhe is the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau

The post ‘We Are the Ocean’ – Why the Upcoming UN Ocean Conference Matters For Hong Kong appeared first on Earth.Org.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) helps simulate how air, water, and heat move around objects and can be employed in climate-resilient cities, infrastructure, and buildings by optimising ventilation, temperature regulation, and structural stability, supporting climate adaptation.

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By Nick Wirth 

When we can understand and predict how air and liquids move, we can better design for climate resilience. I know this first-hand. 

I started my engineering career designing Formula One race cars. My teams developed a secret advantage; by the mid-2000s, we did not need to deal with the costs and wait times of a wind tunnel.  Instead, I was able to model race cars through simulation alone. The method, known as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), allowed us to accurately forecast how air would flow around the car, meaning we could iterate our designs faster – and cheaper – than our competitors. 

But the potential of CFD stretches far beyond fast cars. Understanding how air, water and heat flow holds the secrets to designing more resilient homes, cities and critical infrastructure in light of a rapidly accelerating climate crisis. 

What Is Computational Fluid Dynamics? 

Computational Fluid Dynamics uses mathematics and computer simulations to replicate the behavior of gases and liquids in a virtual environment. This allows us to test the aerodynamic properties of certain designs. Beyond race cars, it allows us to simulate – for example – how wind flows through a city or how water might flow through coastal regions during a flood. 

In the media, solutions that help mitigate climate change get the lion’s share of coverage. However, climate change is no longer a future problem; it is unfolding now, making adaptation technologies just as important. 

CFD Can Design Cooler, Resilient Cities 

Climate change affects cities disproportionately. 

58% of the world’s population lives in cities, with the figure set to hit 62% by 2035. While covering less than 1% of global land surface area, they account for 67-72% of global carbon dioxide emissions. And as the urban population continues to grow, its environmental footprint will expand significantly.

Cities absorb heat, and as temperatures rise, millions around the world will be exposed to a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. 

Urban heat islands can make cities up to 10C hotter than neighboring areas. This can create a vicious cycle, whereby hotter cities lead to greater usage of ventilation and air conditioning, which in turn drive up emissions. Often, it is lower-income, densely populated areas that are disproportionately affected, and least able to afford air conditioning systems and the energy that powers them. 

Two of the key causes of urban heat islands are poor ventilation and choice of surface materials. CFD can help city planners decide where to locate parks, reflective surfaces and ventilation corridors. For example, Singapore’s urban planners used CFD to design wind corridors that channel cooling breezes through dense neighborhoods.

CFD can be used to make buildings more resilient to stronger winds, too. It can be used to test how buildings respond to wind loads, which will prove crucial in cities that are more exposed to hurricanes, cyclones, and other high-wind events. 

CFD can lower temperatures in houses, too. By understanding how air flows through a house, windows, corridors and bedrooms can be placed in a way that promotes even air movement throughout a house, further reducing reliance on ventilation systems. 

Many of these techniques were pioneered by ancient architects. For example, the Romans and Greeks were skilled at creating structures like atriums and colosseums that created natural ventilation. Nowadays, we can use CFD to understand why these methods worked and, more importantly, how to replicate them. 

Designing For Flood Resilience

Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster. Between 2000 and 2019, floods accounted for 44% of all recorded disasters. Like other extreme events like droughts and hurricanes, a warming climate is making floods more frequent an intense.

Most cities are woefully ill-designed for flood resilience. For example, Dubai’s poor drainage system left it uniquely vulnerable to the floods of 2024. 

CFD can simulate how water will flow through a city during extreme rainfall or rising tides. These simulations are vital for designing flood defences, green stormwater systems, and so-called “sponge city” infrastructure, which absorbs water instead of deflecting it.

Take Rotterdam; some parts of the city sit 7 metres below sea level, making it vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise. The city has used CFD technologies to simulate water flow and flood risks. Armed with a greater understanding of how a flood could and would permeate the city, Rotterdam urban planners have built “green blue” corridors – watercourses and pounding areas made to capture excess water. They have designed underground car parks that can capture rainfall, and even engineered floating structures designed to be resilient in case of flood. 

These structures use buoyant platforms and flexible anchoring systems to stay stable on the water. For example, some homes are designed to float on a concrete hull fixed to the shore. 

With cities increasingly expanding out to coastal regions, CFD will prove an invaluable tool for designing flood-proof cities in the future. 

Wildfire Management

Wildfires are becoming larger, faster, and more destructive. In 2023, Canada lost over 4.3 million hectares of forest to wildfires. Similarly, the more recent fires in Los Angeles, California  served as a reminder that everyone, regardless of wealth or status, is vulnerable to the fallout of climate change. 

CFD can help us understand how wind carries both fire and smoke. These models can help to predict fire patterns, guide the placement of firebreaks, and design evacuation strategies. They also aid in building fire-resilient structures by simulating how embers and heat might travel in complex terrain. 

Wildfires can also be the result of controlled burns that go wrong. For example, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire – the largest wildfire in the history of New Mexico – was started by two distinct instances of controlled burns, both intentionally started by the US Forest Service. In this case, CFD can be used to better control these burns, reducing the risk of them spiralling out of control. 

Future Outlook

This list does not cover the full potential of CFD for climate resilience. CFD remains under-used primarily because of its complexity, and the high computer-processing power it demands. But this is set to change. 

Ongoing improvements in hardware are lowering CFD’s cost and energy intensity. High-performance computing chips are becoming exponentially cheaper and more powerful. Similarly, high-performance computing clusters and cloud-based supercomputing platforms are becoming faster and more efficient. 

They are becoming easier to use, too. Artificial intelligence will increasingly make CFD accessible to those with limited coding skills. The wealth of online tutorials, community support, large language models and freely available datasets all mean that open-source CFD are becoming more accessible for urban planners with limited budget and training. Of course, as with any new technology, those new to CFD must be wary of poorly analyzed CFD systems, as this can lead to faulty or dangerous design. 

Ultimately, the accessibility of CFD will rise exponentially. As more people use it, more pre-validated models and standardized datasets will emerge. This shared knowledge base can significantly reduce trial-and-error cycles. 

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About the author: Nick Wirth is the founder of Wirth Research. He is also the former owner of the Simtek Formula One team, and former technical director at the Benetton and Virgin Racing teams, and fellow of the Royal Institution of Engineering.

The post Air Flow Design Is the Quiet Champion of Climate Resilience  appeared first on Earth.Org.

“The defunding of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance presents a unique opportunity for the international community to reassess how food security can be achieved in the long run,” writes Sheina Pribadi.

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By Sheina Pribadi 

When famine or conflict disrupts food supplies, international aid agencies provide life-saving relief. For decades, organizations like the World Food Programme and the now-embattled US Agency International Development (USAID) have been crucial in delivering food assistance to communities facing natural disasters, conflict, and extreme poverty. Their support prevents famine and malnutrition, saving countless lives.

Yet, while aid is essential in times of crisis, true food security requires more than emergency relief. Long-term resilience depends on sustainable solutions – ones that empower local communities to produce, distribute, and access food independently.

The recent defunding of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance – one of the largest donors of international food assistance – has raised alarms across the globe. With over 60 million people across 56 countries relying on USAID’s food assistance, this shift presents a significant challenge for international development.

However, it could also be a moment of opportunity. Rather than relying solely on emergency aid, we now have the chance to build more sustainable solutions.

Why Is International Aid Creating Problems?

Take Haiti, for example. After the 2010 earthquake, a flood of food aid – particularly cheap rice from the US – entered the market. This undercut local farmers, making it harder for them to sell their crops.

As a result, Haiti became even more reliant on external support. Fast forward to today, and the country remains in a hunger crisis, with nearly 2 million people projected to face emergency food insecurity between now and June, according to Action Against Hunger.

Aid alone cannot solve food insecurity. Climate change, political instability, and fragile agricultural systems are often the root causes of hunger, yet aid programmes frequently address only the symptoms. But what happens when the aid disappears? 

This is a huge question we now face as the international community confronts USAID’s shutdown.

Empowering Local Communities

To achieve lasting food security, we must empower farmers with the knowledge, skills, and resources to produce food sustainably and efficiently. By investing in local agriculture, we can build resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate shocks, economic instability, and political unrest.

Recently, I came across Musau Mutisya, a Kenyan farmer who received support from a non-profit organisation for incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into his farming practices. Before using AI, Musau relied on intuition to choose the right fertilizers for his crops. However, with climate change disrupting traditional farming patterns, his yields were often inconsistent. 

With AI, Mutisya was able to gather data and provide precise recommendations for fertilizer use, resulting in significant improvements in both the quality and quantity of his crops. 

This kind of innovation should be embraced more widely. By integrating technology into farming, we can empower farmers to take control of their futures, reducing dependency and building sustainable food security from the ground up.

You might also like: How Climate Smart Agriculture Can Help Us Tackle Global Food Insecurity

The Role of Local Governments

While tech-based solutions are crucial, good governance is equally vital for building long-term food security. Policies that protect land rights, promote infrastructure investment, and support fair trade are essential for strengthening food systems and ensuring access to affordable, nutritious food.

This can be seen in Rwanda, where land reforms securing farmers’ land rights, combined with investments in roads and irrigation, have led to improvements in productivity and market access – with maize production surging by 400% in 2024.

Governments also play a key role in creating and implementing policies that promote sustainable agricultural practices. For instance, supporting climate-smart agriculture – such as water-efficient irrigation systems and drought-resistant crops – can mitigate the impacts of climate change on food production.

In Pakistan, the government has taken significant steps to improve access to agricultural water through better on-farm water management, community-level water resources accounting, budgeting, and irrigation advisory services, which have made a tangible difference when it comes to enhancing agricultural resilience.

By combining strong governance with technological innovation, we can create sustainable, food-secure futures for communities around the world.

A Collaborative Effort For Long-Term Food Security

The defunding of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance presents a unique opportunity for the international community to reassess how food security can be achieved in the long run.

NGOs, governments, and international organizations must work together to ensure farmers receive the ongoing support they need – particularly in the wake of the USAID shutdown.

By providing people with access to modern farming technologies, improved irrigation systems, and better market opportunities, we can help communities become more self-sufficient and reduce their reliance on external aid.

Building resilient food systems that can withstand shocks requires sustained collaboration across all sectors. Only through collective efforts can we ensure that everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.

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About the author: Sheina Pribadi is Founder of the ACE Project in Indonesia and recipient of the One Young World Academy Award. Through her initiative, Pribadi creates low-cost, eco-friendly bricks from industrial and shell waste to rebuild infrastructure in disaster-prone areas. However, her work doesn’t stop at sustainable construction; she also partners with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the YUM Project to address food insecurity and youth empowerment.

The post International Aid Is Not the Most Effective Way to Address Food Security appeared first on Earth.Org.