This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including an attribution study linking climate change to central Europe’s deadly floods and California’s latest lawsuit against Big Oil.

—

1. ‘Heaviest Rain Ever’ That Triggered Deadly Floods in Central Europe Made Twice As Likely By Climate Change, Study Finds

The exceptionally heavy downpours that triggered deadly floods in Central Europe earlier this month, affecting two million people, was made at least twice as likely by human-made climate change, a new attribution report has revealed.

Storm Boris unleashed unprecedented rains throughout the region, causing rivers and reservoirs to swell to alarming levels. All affected countries – Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and northern Italy – experienced flooding and power cuts. Tens of thousands were evacuated and at least 24 were killed.

The four-day downpours were made at least twice as likely and 7% heavier due to human-made climate change, World Weather Attribution (WWA), an academic collaboration studying extreme event attribution, said on Wednesday. The group’s rapid attribution study revealed that the amount of rain that fell between September 12-16 was the heaviest ever recorded across Central Europe, and covered an area even greater than previous historical floods recorded in 1997 and 2002.

WWA warned that the continuous burning of fossil fuels will further increase the likelihood and intensity of devastating storms. In a 2C-warmer world, an event like Storm Boris would be 5% more intense and 50% more frequent, the 24 researchers involved in the study warned.

Read more here.

2. California Sues ExxonMobil Over ‘Decades-Long’ Deceiving Plastic Recyclability Campaign

Filed by the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta in the San Francisco County Superior Court, the first-of-its-kind lawsuit seeks to hold the American multinational accountable for its active contribution to plastic pollution, one of the biggest environmental threats of our lifetime.

“For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn’t possible,” Bonta said in a statement issued on Monday.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) accuses ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies, of deceiving Californians for five decades about the real environmental impact of its plastic products. Through “misleading public statements” and “slick marketing,” the company allegedly tricked consumers into thinking that all of its products are recyclable, despite knowing that this option is neither technically nor economically viable for “the vast majority” of its products.

Read more here.

3. COP29 Host Azerbaijan’s Climate Action ‘Critically Insufficient’ to Meet Paris Goal, Assessment Reveals

Azerbaijan, the country selected to host the year’s most important climate summit, is “moving backward” on climate action, an assessment of its climate policies revealed.

Conducted by Climate Action Tracker (CAT), an independent scientific project monitoring governments emissions reduction plans, the analysis concluded that the country’s policies and targets are “far from consistent” with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to “well below” 2C by the end of the century.

To avoid overshooting the Paris goal completely, the world would need to reduce emissions by 43% compared with levels in 2019. And yet, according to CAT, Azerbaijan’s greenhouse gas emissions are set to rise by 20% to 2030.

In its latest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submission, the country pledged to achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century compared to 1990 levels. However, it dropped a 2030 target that was included in its predecessor.

“Overall, we rate Azerbaijan’s climate action as ‘Critically insufficient’,” the assessment concluded. “Along with setting a more stringent climate target, Azerbaijan needs to significantly increase the ambition of its climate policies to reverse the present rapid growth in emissions and set its emissions on a firm downward trajectory.”

Read more here.

4. World Leaders Commit to ‘Inclusive, Networked Multilateralism’ As They Adopt UN Pact For Future

The United Nations General Assembly on Sunday adopted a blueprint to bring the world’s increasingly divided nations together to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.

The 42-page “Pact for the Future” covers a broad range of themes, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. It also includes two annexes: a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.

“We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres as he thanked world leaders and diplomats for unlocking “the door” to a better future. “Now it is our common destiny to walk through it. That demands not just agreement, but action.”

Among the 56 actions and commitments that countries pledged to achieve are some addressing the climate crisis, such as accelerating efforts to meet obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. The signatories also reaffirmed the COP28 deal – which calls on nations to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner to achieve net-zero by 2050” and to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 – and their commitment to the conservation targets set in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Read more here.

5. Earth in ‘Critical Condition’ As Six of Nine Planetary Boundaries Breached

According to the assessment, the first yearly scheduled report on the wellbeing of Earth systems, six boundaries have already been transgressed: climate change, biosphere integrity, land system change, freshwater change, biogeochemical flows, and the introduction of novel entities. Only three boundaries – atmospheric aerosol loading, stratospheric ozone depletion, and ocean acidification – remain within the safe operating space, though the latter is also quickly approaching the threshold.

“For the first time Patient Earth goes through a full Health Check. The verdict is clear – the patient is in critical condition,” Rockström said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

First published in 2009, the planetary boundaries framework defines and quantifies the limits within which human activities can safely operate without causing irreversible environmental changes. It does so by identifying several critical Earth system processes and defining thresholds – or boundaries – that should not be exceeded to maintain a stable, sustainable, and habitable planet. Transgressing them heightens risks of breaching critical tipping points that would bring about irreversible shifts to the planet, threatening humanity and life as we know it.

Read more here.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for September 23-27, 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

“For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn’t possible,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

—

California is suing fossil fuel giant ExxonMobil over “decades” of deceiving campaigns that have allegedly contributed to exacerbate the plastic pollution crisis.

Filed by the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta in the San Francisco County Superior Court, the first-of-its-kind lawsuit seeks to hold the American multinational accountable for its active contribution to plastic pollution, one of the biggest environmental threats of our lifetime.

“For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn’t possible,” Bonta said in a statement issued on Monday.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) accuses ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies, of deceiving Californians for five decades about the real environmental impact of its plastic products. Through “misleading public statements” and “slick marketing,” the company allegedly tricked consumers into thinking that all of its products are recyclable, despite knowing that this option is neither technically nor economically viable for “the vast majority” of its products.

The lawsuit singles out ExxonMobil as the world’s largest producer of polymers, which are used by other companies to manufacture single-use plastics, and argues that most plastic items collected in the state can be traced back to the company.

In 2021, a Plastic Waste Makers Index report estimated that the Exxon, China-owned Sinopec and US-based Dow – the world’s top-three largest polymer producer generating single-use plastic waste – accounted for about 16% of global single-use plastic waste.

In the statement, the DOJ accused the company of misleadingly making use of the chasing arrows, a symbol strongly associated with recycling, to promote its plastic products. “In reality, only about 5 percent of U.S. plastic waste is recycled, and the recycling rate has never exceeded 9 percent,” the statement read.

You might also like: Your Guide to Recycling Plastics

The lawsuits also explicitly addresses Exxon’s “advanced recycling” program, alleging that the company hides “important truths” about its technical limitations.

Advanced recycling is an umbrella term to describe a variety of technologies that can turns certain types of plastic polymer back into their original molecules so they can be processed and used over and over. On its website, Exxon describes it as a strategy to strengthen the circularity of its plastic products, though the lawsuit argues that plastics produced through this technology “contain so little plastic waste that they are effectively virgin plastics deceptively marketed as ‘circular’… and sold at a premium.”

“ExxonMobil’s ‘advanced recycling’ program is nothing more than a public relations stunt meant to encourage the public to keep purchasing single-use plastics that are fueling the plastics pollution crisis,” the DOJ said.

Global Crisis

Over 99% of plastic is derived from fossil fuels, including natural gas and crude oil, and contains chemicals that are known endocrine disruptors and threaten human health.

When plastic production started in the 1950s, only a small amount of plastics were produced, and resulting plastic waste was relatively manageable. Since then, waste has more than doubled – today, approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated globally each year. About 60% of this waste ends up in our natural environment or landfills, while only around 9% is recycled.

Plastic is difficult to recycle because it can degrade in quality during the recycling process, limiting its ability to be repeatedly recycled. The different types of plastics often need to be sorted and processed separately, adding complexity and cost to recycling operations. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, by 2060, the global plastic recycling rate might be just 17%.

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems affecting the marine environment, with an estimated 11 million tons of plastic entering the ocean annually. Roughly 40% of the ocean’s surface is covered in plastic debris and if our plastic consumption continues, it is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.

Plastic does not biodegrade. Instead, it degrades in quality and with time breaks down into smaller pieces – which we commonly refer to as microplastics – through processes such as weathering and exposure to wave action, wind abrasion, and ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. These fragments of plastic are smaller than 5mm and larger than 1 micron (1/1000th of a millimetre) in length, close in size to one sesame seed.

Microplastics has been found them pretty much everywhere – inside marine creatures and in mammal feces, in food and bottled water, and even in human blood. Because this is still a relatively new research field, scientists cannot yet fully estimate the long-lasting impact of these particles on animals and humans.

In February, an in-depth report by the Center for Climate Integrity revealed how the plastic industry and Big Oil – including Exxon – deceived the public for decades while contributing to the plastic waste crisis.

“Petrochemical companies – independently and through industry trade associations and front groups – have deceived consumers, policymakers, and regulators into believing that they could address the plastic waste crisis through a series of false solutions,” the report read.

More on the topic: The Plastic Diet: Has Plastic Pollution Reached its Tipping Point?

Climate Litigation

Courtrooms around the world have become a key battleground in the public debate over climate change and environmental damage, with climate litigation consolidating as a popular strategy in tackling the ongoing climate crisis.

At least 230 new cases were filed globally last year alone, according to a recent report by the Gratham Research Institute. 47 of them concerned “climate-washing,” meaning they challenged “inaccurate government or corporate narratives regarding contributions to the transition to a low-carbon future.” The report noted that more than 140 such cases have been filed to date worldwide, particularly in the last few years.

Targets of these cases include polluting companies such as airlines, major fossil fuel companies as well as financial institutions over misleading claims to sell their financial products and services.

Featured image: City of Greenville, North Carolina/Flickr.

The post California Sues ExxonMobil Over ‘Decades-Long’ Deceiving Plastic Recyclability Campaign appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including new controversies surrounding the European Union’s anti-deforestation law and a new report unveiling the killing of nearly 200 land and environmental defenders in 2023.

—

1. Nearly 200 Land and Environmental Defenders Killed in 2023, Mostly in Latin America, Global Witness Report Reveals

196 defenders were murdered in 2023 while exercising their right to protect their lands and the environment, a new report has revealed, adding that the number of casualties is likely much higher.

This brings the total number of killings to 2,106 since Global Witness began reporting data in 2012, the environmental watchdog group said in its latest report published Tuesday.

Latin America made up 85% of all killings last year. Weak legal protections, high levels of corruption, and intense conflicts over land and resource exploitation make the region one of the most dangerous to operate in for environmental defenders.

Colombia topped the list of the deadliest countries for environmental defenders for the second year in a row with 79 murders – 40% of the total. In 2022, 60 defenders were killed in the country, which is preparing to host the year’s most important biodiversity meeting next month.

In neighbouring Brazil, home to the world’s largest rainforest, 25 defenders were murdered, while Mexico and Honduras each saw 18 killings. The latter has the largest per capita killing rate.

“Every killing leaves the world more vulnerable to the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises,” the report read. 

Read more here.

2. Tens of Thousands in Seoul Protest Government’s Climate Inaction Following Landmark Court Victory

More than 30,000 people took to the streets in South Korea’s capital Seoul on Saturday demanding more action on climate change, days after a top court ruled that the government’s climate policies violate fundamental human rights.

Protesters from all walks of life marched in Seoul’s Gangnam District under the slogan “Let’s Change the World, Not the Climate,” many holding handmade cardboard banners reading “Climate Justice” and “Change Now.” In a joint statement seen by The Korea Times, 611 civic and environmental groups said they were marching to “address the climate disaster and global injustice, and to protect a life of equality and dignity.”

The protest came just little over a week after a group of young climate activists scored a landmark victory at the Constitutional Court of Korea. The court late last month ruled that the government’s measures to fight climate change are insufficient for protecting the rights of its citizens. It was Asia’s first climate litigation ruling of its kind.

Read more here.

3. Italy’s Marmolada Glacier Set to Disappear By 2040 As Temperatures Rise, Researchers Warn

The Marmolada glacier, the highest glacier of the Dolomites and an UNESCO World Heritage site, is disappearing and could melt away completely by as early as 2040.

The 3,343-meter glacier, located in the Alps mountain range in northeastern Italy and also known as the “Queen of the Dolomites,” is disappearing at a rate of between 7 and 10 centimeters a day, a recent assessment has revealed. It lost around 50% of its original surface in the past century and another 50% in the past decade. Since 2019, the glacier shrank by an additional 70 hectares or the equivalent of 98 football pitches.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that the largest glaciers in the Alps, namely the Adamello and Forni, are experiencing similar challenges. The Forni Glacier is losing ice at a rate comparable to that of the Marmolada. Meanwhile, long-term measurements of the 3,539-meter Adamello indicate that its current surface is primarily composed of snowfall from the 1980s, highlighting the significant and ongoing decline in glacial mass.

Read more here.

4. ‘From the City to the Countryside’: Greenpeace Raises Alarm After Microplastic Found in 85% of Hong Kong Wild Mammal Feces Samples

A new study published Monday revealed the presence of microplastics in the feces of five wild mammals – buffalo, boar, macaque, porcupine, and cattle – with the latter having the highest concentration. Greenpeace collaborated with research teams from universities in Hong Kong and Taipei to collect 100 samples of feces in Hong Kong’s countryside between June and August 2022. They found a total of 2,503 microplastics pieces in 85% of the 100 samples collected.

The Greenpeace investigation revealed that microplastics commonly found in single-use plastic packaging, takeaway containers, and disposable utensils – also known as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) – were the predominant types mammals ingested.

“The findings of this study are important, proving that wild animals can ingest microplastics in the countryside, where it is away from urban areas and human activities,” said Christelle Not, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hong Kong.

Previous Greenpeace research conducted in 2021 confirmed the presence of microplastics in many of Hong Kong’s countryside streams, though Monday’s study marks the first evidence of microplastics reaching wild animals.

Read more here.

5. Brazil Urges EU to Postpone and Reassess ‘Unilateral’ Anti-Deforestation Law Over Fears It Will Affect Trade Relations

In a letter to the European Commission seen by Reuters, the Brazilian government said the law was an “unilateral and punitive instrument” that discriminates against countries whose economies rely on forest resources such as Brazil.

“Brazil is one of the main suppliers to the EU of most of the products covered by the legislation, which correspond to more than 30% of our exports to the community bloc,” the letter, signed by the Minister of Agriculture Carlos Fávaro and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, said. “In order to avoid impact on our trade relations, we request that the EU not implement the EUDR (EU Deforestation-free Regulation) at the end of 2024 and urgently reassess its approach to the issue.”

Government calculations suggest the legislation could affect some $15 billion-worth of exports. According to Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade figures, as reported by Reuters, Brazil’s exports of products covered by the EUDR in 2023 amounted to $46.2 billion.

In April, European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius said the law will come into force at the end of 2024 as initially planned in response to calls by an Austria-led coalition of 20 of the 27 EU member states to review the law. They argued that the new rules would hurt European farmers, who are also subject to the new rules.

Read more here.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for September 9-13, 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

Brazil sends more than 30% of its exports to the European Union. Its government calculated that the new anti-deforestation rules, set to come into effect at the end of 2024, could affect some $15 billion in exports.

—

Brazil has urged the European Union to hold off on implementing the highly-contested anti-deforestation law at the end of the year, warning it would have severe repercussions on their trade relations.

In a letter to the European Commission seen by Reuters, the Brazilian government said the law was an “unilateral and punitive instrument” that discriminates against countries whose economies rely on forest resources such as Brazil.

“Brazil is one of the main suppliers to the EU of most of the products covered by the legislation, which correspond to more than 30% of our exports to the community bloc,” the letter, signed by the Minister of Agriculture Carlos Fávaro and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, said. “In order to avoid impact on our trade relations, we request that the EU not implement the EUDR (EU Deforestation-free Regulation) at the end of 2024 and urgently reassess its approach to the issue.”

Government calculations suggest the legislation could affect some $15 billion-worth of exports. According to Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade figures, as reported by Reuters, Brazil’s exports of products covered by the EUDR in 2023 amounted to $46.2 billion.

In April, European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius said the law will come into force at the end of 2024 as initially planned in response to calls by an Austria-led coalition of 20 of the 27 EU member states to review the law. They argued that the new rules would hurt European farmers, who are also subject to the new rules.

In an exclusive interview with Earth.Org in April, European Greens leader Bas Eickhout called the U-turn on the policy of some European countries “ridiculous,” and a “failure of the Commission.” 

“This is what you get when you don’t have a long-term vision. The credibility of Europe is at stake. What we have been trying to do with this deforestation law is to make clear that these European industries should not only do green policies within Europe but they also have a global responsibility… they need to be credible in the rest of the world,” said Eickhout.

Strict Requirements

First proposed by the European Commission in 2021, the anti-deforestation law – the first of its kind in the world – was formally adopted last year. It cracks down on commodities linked to deforestation and forest degradation for agricultural expansion, targeting cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soya, and wood sold within the bloc. The six commodities accounted for over 50% of total deforestation between 2001-2015, with cattle accounting for the largest share. 

The main requirement of the EUDR is that commodities sold within the bloc are “deforestation-free.” This applies to both legal and illegal deforestation.

The law also stipulate that the production of covered commodities must meet local requirements of land use rights, environmental protection, forest-specific policy, labor laws, and the Principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent as laid out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Either the company that is placing a product in the EU market or the one exporting a product from the EU must provide a statement of due diligence, containing information and results of supply chain assessments carried out for a product.

These requirements will apply to all products containing, or produced with, covered commodities. All products set for placement in the EU market or being exported from the EU must comply with all EUDR requirements. 

More on the topic: Explainer: All You Need to Know About the EU Deforestation Regulation 

Controversies

The legislation’s impacts are regionally variable. For example, deforestation linked to cattle and soya occurring almost entirely in South America and particularly in Brazil. Meanwhile, palm oil-linked deforestation is heavily focused in Southeast Asia’s Indonesia and Malaysia, which produce over 80% of the world’s palm oil. 

Nations including Colombia and Indonesia have previously criticised the rules, saying they are costly and burdensome. This is especially true for agricultural smallholders, which own 25% of agricultural land and produce roughly 30% of crops globally.

While the companies in charge of importing and exporting products through the EU market are ultimately responsible for ensuring sustainable production, the documentation process is often spread to primary and secondary producers by larger corporations. In order to meet the documentation standards and legal production requirements of the EUDR, smallholders will need significant support and more capacity. 

Besides this, countries have warned that products are often hard to trace given that supply chains often span multiple countries, further complicating efforts to comply with the new rules. 

The post Brazil Urges EU to Postpone and Reassess ‘Unilateral’ Anti-Deforestation Law Over Fears It Will Affect Trade Relations appeared first on Earth.Org.

“Colonialism can take many forms. And as a Latin American who works in a marine conservation NGO based in Costa Rica, I think about this almost every day. My biggest fear is replicating any form of oppression through well-intentioned activities. Because I’m certain that we, ocean advocates, all mean well.”

—

This article was written by Katherine Arroyo-Arce, Executive Director at the MarViva Foundation

“In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace.” – Wangari Maathai, 2004

I work in marine conservation; therefore, I work with local communities. Such an essential relationship between ocean governance and coastal populations is sometimes not so obvious. Nor is its linkage with human and democratic rights. At least, this is the case in most of Latin America.

Gabriel García Márquez, a Colombian writer, is the foremost exponent of the literary movement called magical realism. In his books, situations that may seem strange and peculiar are normalised and presented as part of the characters’ daily routines.

Magical realism is not an out-of-context invention. It is a reflection of how the core of Latin American culture has been built based on colonialism and oppression.

Why is the most biodiverse place in the world also the most dangerous region for environmental defenders? Why are communities constantly facing restrictions on access to their natural resources and ecosystems? Why is speaking up extremely dangerous, but at the same time, lives are continuously threatened if we don’t raise awareness? Why is conservation perceived as synonymous with poverty?

Colonialism can take many forms. And as a Latin American who works in a marine conservation NGO based in Costa Rica, I think about this almost every day. My biggest fear is replicating any form of oppression through well-intentioned activities. Because I’m certain that we, ocean advocates, all mean well. We are optimists! We want to be helpful. But to what extent might we be creating an undesired relationship with communities? A relationship in which locals rely more on NGOs than on themselves?

During university, where I majored in environmental law, I developed skills in two areas that have inspired me since childhood: environmental conservation and democratic rights. Law school did not teach me about their relationship, but volunteering in local communities and conservation projects did. Over time, I understood that isolating local people from decision-making about their environment is a huge mistake. Effective conservation depends on the timely involvement of people.

Systematic oppression is a fact. It is a variable to consider when addressing marine-related projects in coastal communities. In this context, through years of working with local leaders, I understood the value of empathy; I gained skills to put my interest into perspective with local concerns; I learned to compromise. To have a meaningful relationship with local stakeholders, I understood I’m not their superhero because the first thing you should do is to put your privilege aside.

In this context, what is the right way for local and international NGOs to approach coastal communities? How can the international community’s desire to “give a voice” to coastal communities be adequately addressed?

During these last five years working for Fundación MarViva, a non-governmental organisation that promotes the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and marine resources of the Eastern Tropical Pacific, my colleagues and I have carefully avoided replicating certain types of actions that don’t feel respectful of local stakeholders.

Our local work has focused on the Gulf of Nicoya on the Costa Rican Pacific coast.

El Golfo represents the heart of artisanal fisheries. It includes the village of Nicoya, one of the few Blue Zones (where people live the longest and the healthiest) in the world. Usually, when Costa Ricans think about the conformation of our territory, we recall the Gulf of Nicoya and its peoples’ desire, back in 1824, to become Costa Rican citizens. We celebrate this historic decision, the Annexation of Nicoya to Costa Rica, every July 25th with corn tortillas, horchata, bombas (rhymes), and songs about sabaneros (cowboys), bull riding, and the beaches of Guanacaste.

I also think about Don Enoc, a fishers’ leader from the coastal community of Colorado, and how happy he was when he knew I would move to Edinburgh, Scotland, to pursue a master’s degree in marine systems and policies. I think about Félix, Coordinator of Communities at MarViva who’s from Nicoya, and about the way he and his family have welcomed me every single time I’ve been around with gallina achiotada (the most delicious chicken in the whole world) and mangos. Hospitality is also demonstrated through a fresh croaker ceviche prepared by Don Manrique and Doña Mónica, the owners of Cama-Pez de La Costa, a responsible fish processing and distribution plant in Costa de Pájaros.

Beyond its people, el Golfo is comprised of estuaries, mangroves, islands, and reef systems. These ecosystems support fishing, tourism, shellfish extraction, and salt production. One-third of Costa Rica’s fishery products come from the Gulf of Nicoya. However, the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing are notorious, contributing to social conflicts and discouraging good practices. These factors converge in an area with the country’s highest poverty and unemployment rates, where access to basic human development rights is limited.

The voice of coastal communities belongs to coastal communities, as they improve their livelihoods and environment.

In MarViva, the Gulf of Nicoya is not just Félix’s hometown. Along with improving coastal ecosystems, we intend to enhance lives integrally. To do so, we first work on strengthening policy advocacy skills. Guided by this philosophy, we have supported various initiatives that build a sense of citizenship amongst fishing communities. These include providing strategic support to fisheries associations regarding specific policy decisions taken by the fisheries authority without proper consultation. For instance, empowering leaders to address congresspeople directly has resulted from the implementation of voluntary local governance structures such as La Red del Golfo (The Gulf’s Network) and the Comité de Pesca Responsible (Responsible Fishing Committee). MarViva is not their spokesperson but their enabler.

Oppression and fisheries’ overexploitation are also addressed by encouraging complementary productive activities. In Puntarenas, for instance, MarViva is currently supporting a group of fisherwomen to grow their economic potential and engage in the transformation of fish skin into leather. Called Piel Marina (Marine Skin), they’re powerful, high-value products.

Moving From Sad to Happy Tears

A deep sense of apathy is constantly present in magical realism narratives. But there is also space for optimism. In Latin America and El Golfo, there is always a way to find beauty in challenging times and move from sad to happy tears in a blink. Through my time working here, I believe NGOs are actually meant to learn from local communities and grow resilient together to drive oppression away.

Featured image: MarViva.

—

This article was originally published by SeaVoice, written by Katherine Arroyo-Arce, and is republished here as part of an editorial partnership with Earth.Org. 

The post The Role of NGOs in Coastal Communities: A Latin American Perspective appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including new data confirming summer 2024 as the hottest on record and worrisome rise in wildfires in Brazil.

—

1. Record-Breaking Summer Signals 2024 Could Be the Hottest Year Ever, European Scientists Say

This year is well on track to be the hottest on record after a record-breaking summer and the highest year-to-date global average temperature, European scientists confirmed on Friday.

The global-average temperature between June and August was the highest in the Copernicus Climate Change Service’s (C3S) ERA5 dataset at 0.69C above the 1991-2020 average for the same period and 0.03C higher than the previous record set last year.

According to C3S, a service operated by the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation programme, July was the second-hottest on record, just 0.04C shy than the average temperature in July 2023. However, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) later found it to be the hottest on record. July also saw two back-to-back record-breaking daily temperatures.

Between January and August, the global-average temperature anomaly was 0.70C above the 1991-2020 average, 0.23C warmer than the previous highest anomaly recorded in 2023. For 2024 not to be warmer than 2023, the anomaly for the remaining months of the year would need to decrease by at least 0.30C – a highly unlikely scenario, said C3S.

Read more here.

2. Bangladesh Floods Leave 71 Dead As UNICEF Warns of ‘Unprecedented’ Challenges

The floods, the worst in 34 years for the region, have affected an estimated 5.9 million people – including more than 2 million children – and left at least 71 dead as of Tuesday. More than half a million people were displaced, with thousands currently at evacuation shelters.

Speaking from the southeastern district of Feni, the epicenter of the flooding, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Bangladesh Emma Brigham on Monday talked about “unprecedented times” in the country as she appealed for support.

“Bangladesh is a country that is normally very good at dealing with cyclones, with flooding, they happen all too frequently. But this case is different. It’s happened in an area that doesn’t normally suffer from cyclones and flooding so the preparedness levels were not what they should’ve been amongst communities,” Bringham told CNN.

Read more here.

3. Drought-Stricken Brazil Sees 80% Yearly Rise in Wildfires in 2024 As Toxic Smoke Spreads Across the Country

Wildfires in drought-stricken Brazil have surged to the highest level since 2010 in August as government figures suggested criminal actions were behind the spike.

Last week, environment minister Marina Silva said during an emergency meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that the country was “at war” with fire, adding that the historic surge in blazes was “unusual” and was being investigated by federal police.

The biome has recorded 38,266 fire hotspots last month, more than double compared to the same time last year according to data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (Inpe). More than 80% of them were concentrated in the states of Para (36%), Amazonas (29%) and Mato Grosso (16%).

Read more here.

4. Italy’s Southern Islands Drought Made 50% More Likely By Climate Change, Study Finds

The “extreme” drought affecting two major Italian islands was made 50% more likely by climate change and exacerbated further by the region’s ageing water infrastructure, a new attribution study has revealed.

In Sicily and Sardinia – the two largest islands in the Mediterranean, home to 5 and 1.6 million people, respectively – a year of “exceptionally low rainfall and persistent heat” have created the perfect conditions for the exceptional droughts, among the worst on record. In July, both islands were in a state of emergency as bone-dry conditions led to devastating wildfires that destroyed farmland and forests. Sicily accounted for 45% of wildfires so far this year; Sardinia for 10%.

Conducted by World Weather Attribution (WWA), an academic collaboration studying extreme event attribution, and published Wednesday, the analysis revealed that without human-driven warming, the droughts on both islands would not have been classified as “extreme.”

Read more here.

5. Super Typhoon Yagi Nears Southern China After Killing At Least 17 in the Philippines

Yagi intensified into a Super Typhoon on Wednesday night local time and is currently the equivalent of a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane, with sustained wind speeds of 210 km/h (130 mph). It is expected to make a rare landfall as a super typhoon in Hainan in the evening of Friday. Between 1949 and 2023, of the 106 typhoons which made landfall in Hainan, only 9 were classified as super typhoons.

Typhoon Yagi formed as a tropical storm on Sunday in the western Philippine Sea. It crossed the islands, dumping 25cm (10 inches) of rain on the northern city of Luzon before moving westward toward the South China Sea. Yagi’s torrential rainfall led to floods and landslides in the northern part of the archipelago, killing at least 13 people.

Typhoons – also known as hurricanes in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific – are a rather common weather phenomenon, though there has been a significant increase in their intensity in recent decades, which scientific observations link to anthropogenic climate change. 

Read more here.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for September 2-6, 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

In August alone, the Amazon recorded 38,266 fire hotspots, more than double compared to the same period in 2023, according to government data. In the same month, the Pantal region saw a 3,707% increase in wildfires.

—

Wildfires in drought-stricken Brazil have surged to the highest level since 2010 in August as government figures suggested criminal actions were behind the spike.

Last week, environment minister Marina Silva said during an emergency meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that the country was “at war” with fire, adding that the historic surge in blazes was “unusual” and was being investigated by federal police.

The biome has recorded 38,266 fire hotspots last month, more than double compared to the same time last year according to data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (Inpe). More than 80% of them were concentrated in the states of Para (36%), Amazonas (29%) and Mato Grosso (16%).

“The region where the smoke we detected in August is concentrated coincides with the so-called Deforestation Arc – which includes northern Rondonia, southern Amazonas and southwestern Para. This indicates that in addition to climate change and El Nino, human-produced land use changes play a central role in increasing fires”, explained Helga Correa, a WWF-Brazil conservation expert.

Since January, the Amazon suffered nearly 54,000 outbreak.

The 14-year high comes after a months-long droughts in the region that began last year. The drought was driven by climate change and exacerbated by the return of El Niño, a weather phenomenon associated with the warming of surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific, which last year brought “off the charts temperatures” and extreme heat across the world.

The drought dried up the Amazon river, the world’s largest river by discharge, upon which more than 2 million Indigenous people depend on for food and transportation. In October 2023, the river waters reached their lowest level since records began in 1902, leaving entire communities stranded without fuel, food, and drinking water.

Toxic smoke and dust form the fires has spread across the region, reaching at least 11 states including the cities of Brasília and São Paulo, and forcing school closures and the grounding of flights.

Pantal on Fire

Devastating wildfires have also been affecting the Pantal, a natural region mostly located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul but extending into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. 

Experts and environmentalists are alarmed by the magnitude of the fires, which are devastating one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems encompassing the world’s largest tropical wetland area and the world’s largest flooded grasslands. According to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Pantanal is facing one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent history, driven by adverse climatic conditions such as prolonged droughts and high temperatures.

Citing official data, WWF said 3,845 fires were recorded between August 1 and 27, 2024 in the region, a 3,707% increase compared to the 101 outbreaks recorded in the same period last year. In the past decade, the Pantal recorded a total of 1,283 outbreaks.

Authorities, including the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), are mobilized to contain the fire outbreaks, but the vast extent of the affected areas and the difficulty of access complicate firefighting efforts.

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has warned that the fires are having a devastating impact on local species. The Brazilian Ministry for the Environment said that 569 animals had been rescued from the flames between June 28 and August 18, with photos showing jaguars and giant anteaters suffering from severe burns.

“The scenario is devastating,” said Fernando Tortato, a researcher at Brazil’s Institute for Ecological Research (IPÊ). “The loss of native vegetation and the death of animals threaten the ecological balance of the Pantanal, with consequences that may be irreversible.”

More on the topic: In Pictures – Brazil on Fire: A Fight for Survival

Featured image: Marcos Ramos.

The post Drought-Stricken Brazil Sees 80% Yearly Rise in Wildfires in 2024 As Toxic Smoke Spreads Across the Country appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including the landmark victory of a group of South Korean young climate activists and a new study warning of a “new era of bigger, deadlier typhoons.”

—

1. South Korean Youth Score Historic Climate Victory, Setting Important Precedent for Climate Litigation in Asia

A top court in South Korea on Thursday ruled the country’s measures to fight climate change insufficient for protecting the rights of its citizens in Asia’s first climate litigation ruling of its kind.

Currently, South Korea does not have any legally binding targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions between 2031 and 2049. This absence means the government cannot guarantee the protection of future generations, a right engrained in its constitution, the Constitutional Court of Korea ruled.

“Future generations will be more exposed to the impact of climate change, but their participation in today’s democratic political process is limited,” the court said, as reported by The New York Times. “So the legislators have the duty and responsibility to make concrete laws for mid- and long-term greenhouse gas reduction plans.”

The ruling is the first of its kind in Asia. Experts say the landmark decision sets an important precedent for the region, as similar cases are under way.

Read more here.

2. UN Chief Issues Climate ‘SOS’ For Pacific Islands Worst Hit By Ocean Warming, Sea Level Rise

Pacific islands should be provided with a “greater voice on the global stage” as climate change and sea level rise driven by reckless actions from industrialized nations threaten their existence, António Guterres said on Monday.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, the UN Secretary-General warned of the imminent threat of sea level rise in the Pacific. Guterres highlighted the findings of two UN reports, which show that the South West Pacific is worst hit by rising sea levels, with some areas at risk of disappearing by the end of the century. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the average annual increase was “significantly higher” in two measurement areas of the Pacific north and east of Australia compared to the global average rate rise of 3.4 millimetres a year over the past 30 years.

“I am in Tonga to issue a global SOS – Save Our Seas – on rising sea levels,” Guterres said. “Around the world, rising seas have unparallelled power to cause havoc to coastal cities and ravage coastal economies. Rising seas are a crisis entirely of humanity’s making. The world must act, and answer the SOS before it is too late.”

Read more here.

3. Typhoon Gaemi Intensified By Climate Change As Scientists Warn of A New Era of ‘Bigger, Deadlier’ Typhoons

A typhoon that swept across the Philippines, Taiwan and China’s Hunan province in late July, killing more than 100 people, was intensified by fossil fuel-driven global warming, a new analysis has found.

World Weather Attribution (WWA), an academic collaboration studying extreme event attribution, said on Thursday that Gaemi’s winds were about 9 mph (14 km/h) or 7% more intense due to human-made climate change. The study also determined that the warm sea surface temperatures that fuelled Gaemi would have been “virtually impossible” without anthropogenic climate change.

“Fossil fuel-driven warming is ushering in a new era of bigger, deadlier typhoons,” said Ben Clarke, Researcher at the London Imperial College’s Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. Clarke also warned that Asia will become increasingly inhospitable and dangerous “until fossil fuels are replaced with renewable energy.”

Read more here.

4. Green Groups Sue European Commission Over Insufficient Emission Reduction Targets

In a statement published Tuesday, CAN Europe and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) announced they had submitted the final written arguments to the General Court of the European Union after the lawsuit was formally filed before the court earlier this year. The two groups accuse the bloc of failing to conduct essential assessments when setting climate targets for sectors including buildings, agriculture, waste, small industry, and transport, which together account for 57% of the bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The lawsuit, brought against the European Commission, follows a previous attempt by CAN Europe to sue the bloc for its climate targets, which was ultimately not admitted. An oral hearing is expected in the first half of 2025.

“We have to use all available channels to push the European Commission to bring the EU’s climate ambition on track with its fair share for the 1.5C goal of the Paris agreement. The EU has to ramp up emissions reduction and achieve at least a 65% cut by 2030 if it wants to be a credible actor,” said Sven Harmeling, head of climate at CAN Europe.

Read more here.

5. Environmental Groups Defend Kamala Harris Amid Silence on Climate Crisis at DNC

The absence of any serious mention of climate change at the Democratic National Convention, least of all from presidential candidate Kamala Harris in her closing speech on Thursday, did not go unnoticed. In fact, since Harris ascended the 2024 Democratic ticket, she has been mostly quiet on the issue, offering no hints on her climate plan if she wins November’s election. Amid the silence, one of Harris’s advisors was being quoted as saying at the DNC’s Environmental & Climate Crisis Council that she is committed to “bold action” on climate.

However, environmental groups have come forward in recent days to defend Harris, with a coalition of climate groups last week announcing a $55 million advertising campaign in “at least six swing states” in support of her campaign. This marks a drastic change in approach compared to the last presidential campaign, when environmentalists obsessively scrutinized every aspect of Biden’s climate agenda.

Many groups have openly stated they do not want to sabotage Harris’s campaign as they fight to keep her climate denier counterpart, Republican nominee Donald Trump, out of the White House. Others have hinted they are “not worried” about Harris’s climate agenda, arguing her past decisions holds promise for bold action if she wins the election.

Read more here.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for August 26-30, 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

Climate change is making wildfires longer, more frequent and more intense. In this sobering photostory, award-winning photographer Marcos Ramos documents how recent wildfires in Brazil have shaped landscaped, destroyed entire ecosystems and affected the livelihoods of local communities.

—

The year 2024 will be remembered as one of the most challenging in the fight against wildfires around the world. Iconic regions such as the Amazon, the Pantanal, Canada, Australia, California, and the Mediterranean have witnessed the destruction of vast forest areas and ecosystems as well as many inhabited areas.

The causes of these fires are varied, ranging from human actions, such as illegal deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices, to natural events exacerbated by climate change. The rise in global temperatures, driven by the uncontrolled emission of greenhouse gasses, has created the perfect environment for fires to spread more strongly and frequently. As warned by the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) first Special Report on Wildfires, a lethal combination of record temperatures, prolonged droughts, and strong winds has fueled the uncontrolled spread of fire in various regions.

The devastation of forests is directly linked to the loss of biodiversity. The Amazon, for example, lost more than 4,661 square kilometers of its cover in 2024 alone. This biome is home to thousands of species that depend on this habitat for survival. The destruction of these areas not only threatens species extinction but also disrupts vital food chains and ecosystem services, such as air purification and water cycle regulation. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in many cases, the impact of these burns is irreversible, with forest regeneration occurring at a much slower rate than destruction.

More on the topic: Top 13 Largest Wildfires in History

In addition to directly affecting ecosystems, wildfires have a significant impact on global temperatures. Burns release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, one of the main drivers of global warming. NASA estimated that in 2024, wildfires released more than 7.5 billion tons of CO2. This increase in CO2 concentration intensifies the greenhouse effect, contributing to the warming of the planet and altering climate patterns worldwide.

The consequences of the burns also directly affect human communities, especially those that depend on forests for subsistence. The displacement of populations, loss of properties, and increase in health problems related to smoke inhalation are immediate impacts of these tragedies. Studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate a significant increase in respiratory diseases in affected regions, exacerbating public health crises in various parts of the world.

The Pantanal Is Burning

In early August, the Pantanal, a natural region encompassing the world’s largest tropical wetland area, and the world’s largest flooded grasslands saw more than 100,000 hectares consumed by fires, worsening the environmental crisis that has plagued the region since the beginning of 2024. With this devastating advance, the burns reached 8.7% of the biome as of August 8, surpassing 1.3 million hectares destroyed just this year.

Experts and environmentalists are alarmed by the magnitude of the fires, which are devastating one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. According to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Pantanal, which is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul but also extends into Bolivia and Paraguay, is facing one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent history, driven by adverse climatic conditions such as prolonged droughts and high temperatures.

“The scenario is devastating,” said Fernando Tortato, a researcher at Brazil’s Institute for Ecological Research (IPÊ). “The loss of native vegetation and the death of animals threaten the ecological balance of the Pantanal, with consequences that may be irreversible.”

Authorities, including the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), are mobilized to contain the fire outbreaks, but the vast extent of the affected areas and the difficulty of access complicate firefighting efforts.

The growing devastation increases pressure on the federal government to intensify environmental protection measures and fight the burns, which affect not only the environment but also local communities and the region’s economy.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva acted quickly. On July 31, he sanctioned a bill that establishes the National Integrated Fire Management Policy, after flying over the Corumbá region (MS) in the Pantanal.

“This law we signed here will be a milestone in combating fires in this country. First, because we are recognizing the extraordinary work that you [firefighters] do. Second, it is a project that was made by you, for the most part. Third, because Brazil will host COP30 next year, in the city of Belém,” said Lula.

The federal government mobilized 890 professionals in the biome, including military personnel and teams from IBAMA, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the National Public Security Force, and the Federal Police, with the support of 15 aircraft and 33 boats.

“At the root of the challenge is a terrible combination of climate change, deforestation, and fires. This perverse chemistry is what leads us to witness the scenes we saw recently. The fire is not state, federal, or municipal. It is something to be fought and managed appropriately,” declared Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment. 

The Pantanal is facing the most severe drought in 70 years, intensified by climate change. All fires affecting the biome in the past two months can be traced back to human activities such as land-clearing burns, the use of fire for agricultural purposes, or even accidents and negligence.

Wildfires in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro

The state of Rio de Janeiro is also facing an alarming increase in wildfires and burns in vegetation this year, especially in the Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s most biodiverse biomes. High temperatures, coupled with prolonged periods of drought, have created ideal conditions for the advance of flames, causing irreparable damage to local fauna and flora.

According to data from INPE, the number of fire outbreaks in Rio de Janeiro increased by 35% compared to the same period last year. Most of these occurrences were concentrated in the mountainous regions and around environmental preservation areas, where dry vegetation acts as fuel for the rapid spread of fire.

The Atlantic Forest, which has already suffered a drastic reduction in its original cover, is particularly vulnerable. A study by SOS Mata Atlântica shows that only 12.4% of the original forest remains intact, and fires accelerate the loss of this natural heritage. Furthermore, the destruction of vegetation directly affects the quality of water resources and soil stability, increasing the risk of landslides and floods, especially during the rainy season.

Another aggravating factor is human activity, whether through inadequate agricultural practices or intentional fires. Many farmers still resort to burns to renew pastures and clear areas for cultivation, a practice that, although prohibited, remains common in various regions of the state. Ibama and other environmental authorities have intensified monitoring and awareness campaigns, but the problem persists due to a lack of resources and difficulty in accessing remote areas.

The situation is particularly critical in conservation units such as the Tijuca National Park and the Três Picos State Park, where large-scale fires have compromised the integrity of local ecosystems. ICMBio and the State Environment Secretariat have been working to contain the fires and promote the recovery of affected areas, but the challenges are immense.

In a scenario of climate change and growing human pressure, preserving the Atlantic Forest requires coordinated actions and investments in prevention and environmental education. Additionally, the restoration of degraded areas and the strengthening of public policies are essential to ensure that this natural jewel of Rio de Janeiro continues to play its essential role in climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.

Finally, the wildfire crisis in 2024 highlights the urgent need for coordinated global action to mitigate climate change and protect forest ecosystems. The implementation of strict environmental preservation policies, the reinforcement of firefighting strategies, and investment in monitoring technologies are crucial steps to reverse this alarming trend. The international community must recognize that protecting forests is a shared responsibility, vital for maintaining life on the planet and climate stability.

Featured image: Marcos Ramos.

Check out other Earth.Org’s photostories here.

The post In Pictures – Brazil on Fire: A Fight for Survival appeared first on Earth.Org.

Acropora cervicornis is a species of staghorn coral that is predominantly found in Florida, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Comprised of approximately 400 different species of varying shapes and colours, staghorn corals are branching, stony corals that typically inhabit shallow tropical reefs and lagoons. As well as being some of the fastest growing corals in the world, staghorn corals are incredibly important for their contribution to reef growth and their role in providing habitats for marine life. In the Caribbean, Acropora cervicornis has played a fundamental part in the construction of coral reefs over the past 5,000 years and is widely regarded as one of the most important species in the region. However, an unprecedented disease incident in the early 1980s resulted in the loss of approximately 97% of the species’ cover, abundance, and occupied range. Remaining populations are generally isolated and display low colony abundance, thus increasing their susceptibility to threats of climate change, pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and disease. With a population trend in punctuated decline, immediate restoration, conservation and monitoring efforts are needed to prevent the extinction of Acropora cervicornis.

—

1. Appearance

Acropora cervicornis colonies are typically tan or light brown with white tips, deriving their colour from the zooxanthellae (algae) residing within their tissue. Stemming out from a central trunk at an upwards angle, the cylindrical branches of A. cervicornis are typically two to eight centimetres thick and can exceed two metres in length. Colonies often grow to form interlocking frameworks known as thickets, however A. cervicornis colonies tend to be more open and loosely packed than other species of Acroporidae. Although often confused for plants or rocks, largely due to their sessile nature (permanently fixed in one place; immobile) corals are, in fact, animals.

Corals are made up of hundreds of soft-bodied organisms known as polyps, which attach to a solid substrate (such as a rock or the dead skeletons of other polyps) and begin secreting calcium carbonate to create hard external skeletons, or corallites. As these polyp conglomerates continuously grow and reproduce, they begin to create these incredible hard, stony coral structures.

2. Diet

Most species of coral, particularly those inhabiting shallow, tropical waters, have two sources of food. Firstly, polyps have stinging cells, known as nematocysts, which they extend from out of their corallite to capture prey with, typically plankton. However, corals in shallow, warm environments derive most of their nutrition from the mutually beneficial, or symbiotic, relationship they have with the zooxanthellae (algae) that reside within the tissue of polyps. Zooxanthellae are plant-like organisms that utilise a coral’s metabolic waste products for photosynthesis. Having received these nutrients from the coral, the zooxanthellae then pass on some of the food they make to the coral. This symbiotic relationship, whereby corals receive food and oxygen in exchange for providing zooxanthellae with nutrients and shelter, plays a fundamental part in the rapid growth rate of tropical, shallow water corals. 

3. Habitat & Behaviour

The distribution of Acropora cervicornis spans the western Atlantic, from Mexico (Veracruz), southern Florida, and the northern Bahamas, down south across the Caribbean Sea to Trinidad and Tobago, including the insular and coastal reefs of Barbados, Venezuela, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire and Colombia. The species is unlikely to occur further north than Palm Beach County, Florida, or further south than Trinidad and Tobago. 

Acropora cervicornis requires clear, oxygenated, warm waters in order to thrive, and is therefore typically found in tropical, shallow reef ecosystems. Although the species displays a preference for upper to mid-reef slopes and lagoons in regions with low or moderate wave exposure, A. cervicornis has been observed in a range of coral reef habitats, including spur and groove formations, bank reefs, patch reefs, transitional reef habitats, limestone ridges, terraces and hard bottom habitats. Despite a depth range of one to 60 metres, the species is rarely found beyond 25 metres from the surface of the water.

Staghorn corals are simultaneous hermaphrodites, producing both eggs and sperm but not self-fertilising. Upon reaching sexual maturity, typically at around 18 centimetres tall or three to eight years, a staghorn coral will reproduce once a year by broadcast spawning eggs and sperm into the water column. Fertilised eggs will then develop into larvae, settling on hard substrates in the region or drifting hundreds of kilometres away to form new colonies. Studies have indicated that low rates of larval recruitment are typical for this species in the Caribbean, and that recruitment by sexual reproduction is relatively rare despite high levels of gamete production and release. Nevertheless, staghorn corals can also form new colonies when fragments of a coral branch fall off, reattach themselves to a hard substrate, and continue to grow.

More on the topic: Unpacking Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration Agenda

4. Ecological Importance

As mentioned, Acropora cervicornis is regarded as one of the most important species of coral in the Caribbean due to its extensive contribution to reef growth and its role in providing a complex habitat for marine life, thus safeguarding the biodiversity of marine ecosystems in the region. In abundance, staghorn corals further provide shoreline protection from waves and storms.

A. cervicornis, and coral reefs in general, also act as environmental indicators; their sensitivity to changes in the temperature, salinity, pollution levels, clarity, and pH levels of the waters they inhabit can inform scientists of any declines in the quality and health of ocean habitats. 

5. Threats

Although once found in high abundance across its endemic range, studies conducted on Acropora cervicornis have indicated a population decline of at least 80% over the past 30 years, with a current population trend in punctuated decline. As a result, the species has been classified as Critically Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2008. Having suffered a staggering 98% decrease in cover, abundance and occupied range in the 1980s due to disease, and given its acute sensitivity to changes in environmental quality, remaining populations of A. cervicornis are currently isolated, display low colony abundance, and face a high risk of extinction. Major threats, which present themselves in a complex interplay, include climate change, pollution, and disease.

Perhaps posing the greatest threat to coral reefs across the world is the phenomenon of climate change, as rising ocean temperatures, disrupted pH levels, increases in the severity of storms, and possible shifts in ocean circulation patterns have had disastrous effects on ocean habitats over the past decades.

Coral bleaching occurs when ocean temperatures rise at least 1C above the normal seasonal maximum, subjecting coral reefs to increased levels of stress. As a result, coral evict the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) from their tissue, causing the coral to turn white. Although the coral remains alive in this bleached state, it has lost one of its primary sources of nutrition and is thus rendered highly susceptible to disease. If exposed to prolonged heat, the coral will eventually die from starvation or disease. Staghorn corals, and Acropora cervicornis in particular, appear to have an especially low resistance and tolerance to bleaching, taking longer to recover than other species.

In La Parguera National Reserve along the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, Acropora cervicornis displayed higher mortality rates due to temperature shifts and disease when compared to Acropora prolifera. After the occurrence of two global bleaching events in 1998 and 2010, the first mass, multi-year coral bleaching event took place between 2014 and 2017, where 30% of coral reefs experienced mortality-level stress. In April 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) detected evidence of a fourth, ongoing global bleaching event that commenced in February 2023. As bleaching events continue to occur with increasing frequency, coral reefs are prevented from ever fully recovering.

In addition to absorbing heat, the ocean absorbs approximately 30% of atmospheric carbon dioxide, acting as a carbon sink. As carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, the water becomes more acidic, causing a drop in its pH level. With carbon emissions steadily increasing over the past 200 years, reaching a record annual emission of 37.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2023, oceans across the globe have become 30% more acidic as a result of absorbing this excess carbon dioxide. Commonly referred to as ocean acidification, this change in the ocean’s pH has reduced calcification rates in reef-building organisms since calcium carbonate only forms when the ocean’s pH level sits within a specific range. Perhaps of greater concern is the possibility that this increasing acidity could also prompt existing corallites and sediment platforms to dissolve away, causing entire reefs to disappear. In a study published in 2018, researchers determined that there is a specific low point in oceanic calcium carbonate levels, below which coral reefs dissolve faster than they can build.

Compounding the vulnerability of coral reefs to disease and mortality is pollution. Runoff from agriculture, gardening, sewage, and costal development projects often contains toxins that affect the feeding habits, growth, reproduction, and ecological function of corals. This is particularly true of chemical and oil spills that occur in close proximity to coastal areas. Certain types of sunscreen can also cause extensive damage to coral reefs as they contain chemicals that induce coral bleaching, particularly in locations popular with snorkelling and diving. Excessive quantities of nutrients that are often found in fertilisers, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, further cause algal blooms that smother corals and affect the clarity of water. Deforestation and human development also typically intensify the process of soil erosion, which results in reefs becoming covered in silt. Since corals rely heavily on zooxanthellae to photosynthesise sunlight and supply them with nutrition, instances of prolonged declines in water clarity can expose coral reefs to the risk of starvation and disease. Additionally, pathogens found in untreated sewage can infect entire coral reefs, spreading into significant outbreaks.

Plastic pollution also poses a significant threat to oceanic habitats across the world due to the myriad of detrimental consequences it has on marine ecosystems. Large pieces of trash that wash into coral reefs from shorelines can damage coral branches or block sunlight from reaching the zooxanthellae within their tissue. Microplastics, often mistaken for food particles, are regularly ingested by corals as the smell of plastic is masked by bacteria found on the plastic. This bacteria, which is introduced to reef habitats from land or the ocean’s surface, may also carry pathogens that can cause widespread infection or mortality. Once ingested, most pieces of plastic are expelled after 48 hours, however some may become embedded within the corallite. These embedded pieces can then begin leaking toxic chemicals, affecting the health of the coral.

With issues of warming ocean temperatures, acidification, and pollution having deteriorated the health and vitality of coral reefs over the past few decades, coral disease has increasingly become a major threat to species worldwide. According to a 2018 study, the rising prevalence of coral disease and mortality can be linked not only to thermal stress, but also reduced water quality and clarity, nutrient enrichment, plastic pollution, and sedimentation due to dredging. The results of a survey conducted on 159 reefs across the Asia-Pacific region indicated that the likelihood of coral disease increases 20-fold once reefs are exposed to plastic. White-band disease (WBD) is thought to be the primary cause for the aforementioned Acroporid disease event that has affected Caribbean reefs since the 1980s, although the prevalence of WBD in A. cervicornis is currently low due to the limited distribution and abundance of the species. Regardless, a mere 6% of remaining A. cervicornis populations have proven resistant to WBD thus far.

Other major threats to A. cervicornis include: overfishing; unsustainable fishing practices, including dynamite fishing, chemical fishing, and dredging; changes in native species dynamics; human recreation and tourism; changes in the frequency and intensity of storms and hurricanes; as well as increased predation by Stegastes planifrons (Three-spot Damselfish), Hermodice carunculata (Bearded Fireworm), and Coralliophyllia spp. (coralivorous snail). Unsustainable fishing practices can have immense, long-term consequences on marine ecosystems, quickly altering the structure of a habitat from coral-dominated reefs to algal-dominated reefs (“phase shifts”) since the fish that consume algae are no longer around to maintain reefs clean and provide space for corals to grow. A. cervicornis is also among the most popular species of coral harvested for aquariums, with legal imports in the United States doubling from 2003 to 2009. Further hindered by restricted gene flow and low larval recruitment, A. cervicornis is unlikely to fully recover and regrow viable populations across its endemic range unless effective, holistic conservation, monitoring and repopulation efforts are put into place.

6. Conservation Efforts

When given the opportunity to recover in an ideal environment, coral have proven to be incredibly resilient. In addition to being listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Acropora cervicornis has been further classified as ‘Threatened’ under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, as ‘Vulnerable’ under the Venezuelan national Red List, and as “Under Special Protection” under Mexico’s endangered species list. The species is also found in various marine protected areas (MPAs), such as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Buck Island Reef National Monument, Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Legislative measures such as these are of critical importance for safeguarding coral habitats, as they aim to reduce fishing pressures, prohibit trawling and dredging, limit tourism, and maintain clean, balanced ecosystems within which reefs can thrive.

Complimenting legislative measures are localised efforts to propagate, reintroduce and restore Acropora cervicornis within its endemic range, such as in Florida, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Honduras. Regions regularly affected by ship groundings and hurricanes have attempted to salvage damaged reefs by reattaching corals in Acrpoprid habitats, which accelerates the growth of new coral. In the Caribbean, what began as 60 Acropora restoration programmes in 2012, focusing primarily on asexual propagation or ‘coral gardening’ methods, has since grown significantly both in the number and size of programmes, now implementing larval propagation techniques in the interest of genetic diversity and adaptive capacity. In collaboration with scientists and restoration practitioners worldwide, the Coral Restoration Consortium (CRC) has developed a geo-referenced database to monitor data collected from restoration programmes across the globe, ensuring that coral conservation efforts are in sync and as effective as possible. In the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Consortium of Costal Restoration has implemented in situ nurseries, coral gardens, and sexual propagation programmes, primarily led by Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos (FUNDEMAR) and Fundación Grupo Punta Cana (FGPC). In Bayahibe, novel advances in sexual propagation strategies have resulted in the seeding of hundreds of thousands of sexual recruits.

Due to the ever-growing threats of climate change, ocean acidification and disease, scientists have also shifted their focus towards more drastic interventions that aim at increasing the resistance of restored coral populations to thermal stress and disease. In Northwestern Australia, scientists have been studying a species of staghorn coral (Acropora aspera) that inhabit tidal areas and experience temperature swings of 7C as the tide goes in and out, enduring a maximum temperature of 32C. By studying the genetic profile of coral species that display an incredible resistance towards environmental stressors, researchers hope to transplant this coral globally to restore reefs in afflicted regions, or breed them with other species of coral to create offspring with better resistance to thermal stress. In addition to the genetic makeup of coral, another factor that appears to affect resilience to thermal stress and bleaching is the specific type of symbiotic bacteria that reside within the tissue of coral. As a result, scientists are attempting to apply topical probiotics that contain specific, beneficial strains of bacteria to protect coral species that are particularly susceptible to bleaching. 

You might also like: Exploring Costa Rica’s Trailblazing Efforts to Save Coral Reefs

An artificial propagation technique known as cyrofreezing, or cyropreservation, has also gained traction as a potentially important tool for conservation. Pioneered by researchers at the Smithsonian National Zoo, technology typically utilised for human sperm banks has been applied to the preservation of coral sperm and stem cells. By retaining genetic material that can remain viable for years, conservationists hope that frozen gametes can be used to breed new coral colonies in the future, restoring populations with low abundance and genetic diversity. Continued advancements in stem cell research further present the possibility of regenerating frozen stem cells into mature individuals. The sperm of Acropora cervicornis has been preserved within coral bio-repositories in the United States.

To further improve the efficiency and efficacy of conservation actions, continued research into Acropora cervicornis is of critical importance. Areas of research include: taxonomy; biology, behaviour and ecology; population; abundance and trends; habitat status; threats and resilience; restoration efforts; methods of identification; establishment and management of protected areas; recovery management; disease, pathogen and parasite management; and the success of current conservation strategies. In the US, the NOAA conducts research projects that track individuals to better comprehend population trends and causes of death, as well as testing the effects of temperature and acidification on eggs, sperm, larvae and newly settled colonies. With the continued collaboration of scientists and conservationists across the world, efforts to prevent the extinction of Acropora cervicornis have the potential to restore the species’ once immense abundance, cover, and occupied range.

How To Help

• Practice ethical tourism. When snorkelling or scuba diving, take care when wearing flippers or swimming near to coral reefs as coral branches may break easily when kicked or stepped on. Do not touch any marine life, as you may be carrying foreign bacteria, and do not take anything from the ocean (aside from rubbish).

• Use reef-friendly sunscreen. Next time you go swimming in the ocean, make sure to apply a “reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” sunscreen which does not contain any oxybenzone and octinoxate, as these are two common UV-blocking chemicals. When coral come into contact with such chemicals, symbiotic bacteria are unable to photosynthesise, and the coral suffers from bleaching.

• Donate your time with beach and ocean clean ups. Plastic pollution in oceans and along beach fronts is incredibly harmful to the health and vitality of coral reefs. Donate your time to beach and ocean clean ups in your local area, or volunteer abroad to discover the various species of coral across the world.

The post Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn Coral): Endangered Species Spotlight appeared first on Earth.Org.