Speaking on the first day of the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, António Guterres urged G20 nations to “step up and lead” the transition away from fossil fuels. “If we save the Pacific, we save the world,” he said.

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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.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, the UN Chief also praised the Pacific region as a shining example of “solidarity and strength, environmental stewardship and peace” amidst the turmoil afflicting much of the world. Conflicts, inequalities, and the escalating climate crisis are slowing down progress on the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, said Guterres, but Pacific islands hold the key to protecting “our climate, our planet and our oceans.”

“The world has much to learn from you. It must also step up to support you.”

Pacific nations such as Fiji, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, and Kiribati are some of the world’s most vulnerable areas to climate change. Their geographic location and low-lying atolls pose little to their resistant capacity to tropical cyclones and rising sea levels. Despite contributing only 0.02% of global emissions, these islands bear the most brunt of a warming planet, with increased coastal inundations threatening their resilience.

Their governments, some of the first to declare climate change a dire threat in the early 1990s, have repeatedly urged industrialized nations, those most responsible for climate change, to phase out fossil fuel production and include small island states at the negotiating table.

In 2021, the video of a man in a suit and tie urging world leaders to take action against climate change and put small island nations and their struggles with sea level rise on the spotlight went viral around the world. The man was Simon Kofe, Foreign Minister of Tuvalu, and he was addressing COP26 attendees standing knee-deep in the seawater of his hometown.

Tuvalu, a low-lying island nation in the Pacific, faces an existential threat from rising sea levels driven by climate change. Data collected by NASA shows that sea levels are nearly 0.15 meters (6 inches) higher compared to three decades ago and projections estimating they will rise at least 20 centimeters (8 inches) by 2050 and 0.5-1 meter (20-40 inches) by the end of the century.

More on the topic: Tuvalu’s Sinking Reality: How Climate Change Is Threatening the Small Island Nation

The sinking of Tuvalu is emblematic of the existential threat faced by the region at large – and its fate fully depends on how much the world will be able to limit global warming, said Guterres.

“The survival plan for our planet is simple: Establishing a just transition for the phaseout of the fossil fuels that are responsible for 85 per cent of the emissions of greenhouse gases. The G20 – the biggest emitters responsible for 80 per cent of those emissions – must step up and lead, by phasing out the production and consumption of fossil fuels and stopping their expansion immediately.”

In March 2023, small island states hailed a historic win as the UN General Assembly passed a historic resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to define the obligations of individual states to fight climate change. The resolution was the culmination of a four-year campaign initiated by Pacific island law students, who demanded clarity regarding the obligations of small and big countries in terms of dealing with global warming. While not legally binding, the advisory opinion of the ICJ – the world’s top court – could help clarify legal obligations under other international agreements.

The US, the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, did not support the resolution. 

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which will last until Friday, is the top political decision-making body of the region. It brings together Australia, New Zealand, and 16 other Pacific nations to develop collective responses to regional issues and foster collaboration and partnerships.

Four of its members – Niue, Palau, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu – were part of a group of small island states which earlier this year won a historic climate change case at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which ruled that major polluters have obligations under a global treaty to protect the marine environment.

In its advisory opinion, the ITLOS states that all 169 signatories of the 1994 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) must “take all necessary measures to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution from anthropogenic [greenhouse gas] emissions.” While not legally binding, the court’s clarification on how international law should be applied sets an important precedent for future rulings on the matter.

The post UN Chief Issues Climate ‘SOS’ For Pacific Islands Worst Hit By Ocean Warming, Sea Level Rise appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including the devastating toll of wildfires in Greece and a Guardian investigation revealing that a non-profit linked to Shell donated to anti-climate groups linked to Project 2025.

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1. Thousands Flee as Wildfires Rage Across Athens Suburbs Amid Hottest Summer on Record

Greece’s worst wildfire so far this year began spreading into Athens suburbs on Monday after first igniting in the northern fringes of the capital on Sunday afternoon, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said on Monday that “[t]he EU civil protection mechanism was activated upon request of the Greek authorities.” In a post on X, the EU civil protection unit said it had mobilized two firefighting planes from its fleet in Italy, one helicopter from France, and ground firefighting teams from Czechia and Romania. Meanwhile, local authorities deployed more than 700 local firefighters, 199 fire engines and 35 waterbombing aircrafts, according to the BBC.

Like many other parts of the world, Greece has seen a notable increase in temperatures in recent years. The country just had its hottest June and July on record. Historical data suggests that the average temperature for July has increased by 2.5C between 1960 and now, with three of the four warmest July months in at least the last 80 years occurring in the past four years.

Read more here.

2. Non-Profit Linked to Oil Giant Shell Donated to Anti-Climate Conservative Groups Behind Project 2025, Investigation Reveals

Tax records analyzed by the Guardian show that the Shell USA Company Foundation sent $544,010 between 2013 and 2022 to several conservative and religious organizations advocating against LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, and denying climate change.

Among the recipients are fourteen groups figuring on the board of Project 2025, a political initiative that promotes conservative and right-wing policies to reshape the US federal government and consolidate Donald Trump’s executive power if he wins the upcoming presidential election. While Trump has distanced himself from the conservative blueprint, it was revealed that more than 100 people who worked for his administration contributed to it.

According to the Guardian, the Shell USA Company Foundation, operated by Shell’s American subsidiary, “helps employees boost their charitable giving to non-profits,” matching them by up to $7,500. A spokesperson told the newspaper that the foundation “does not endorse any organization” and employees donations are “not directed by the company.”

Read more here.

3. Extreme Heat Killed Nearly 48,000 People in Europe Last Year: Study

Nearly 48,000 people died in Europe last year due to extreme heat, according to a new study that argues heat-related mortality would have been 80% higher had it not been for modern-day adaptation measures. In the study period 2014-2023, only 2022 surpassed last year in terms of heat-related deaths with over 60,000 casualties.

Of the 47,690 estimated deaths in 2023, 47,312 occurred between late May and early October, the hottest months of the year, and mostly in Southern European countries including Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Portugal. The study, published Monday in Nature Medicine, also found that women and the elderly were disproportionally affected.

Heat-related mortality in Europe has increased by around 30% in the past two decades, while heat-related deaths are estimated to have increased in 94% of the European regions monitored.

Read more here.

4. Destructive Wildfires At Least Three Times More Likely Due to Climate Change, Report Finds

Published Wednesday in the journal Earth System Science Data (ESSD), the inaugural State of Wildfires report looked at large-scale wildfire events during the 2023-24 season. Despite being “slightly below average” in terms of area burnt compared to previous seasons, the total amount of carbon emissions generated from all fire events combined last year was 16% above average, totalling 8.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the analysis revealed.

Almost a quarter of this increase can be attributed to Canada’s record-breaking fire season. Last year, nearly 6,600 blazes burnt across 45 million acres, 5% of the entire forest area of Canada and roughly seven times the annual average, affecting 230,000 people. According to the EU-funded Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), fire carbon emissions totalled 480 megatonnes, over nine times the historical average, with toxic smoke reaching as far as the US East Coast.

According to the report, which is set to be published every year, climate change increased the probability of high fire weather conditions, long-term average burned area, and extreme burned area during the 2023/24 season. The report found that anthropogenic influence on the climate system made the fires in Canada at least three times more likely as it increased the risk of high fire weather.

Read more here.

5. Australia’s Fossil Fuel Exports Ranked 2nd For Climate Footprint Globally, Report Finds

Australia’s fossil fuel exports contribute to global emissions more than any other country aside from Russia, owing particularly to the footprint of coal exports, according to a new report that suggests emissions will rise by 50% over the next decade.

The country’s climate footprint – roughly 4.5% of global fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, with 80% coming from coal and gas exports – “far exceeds” its economic size and population, the report says. Without fossil fuel exports, the country’s contribution to global emissions would be around 1%. Australia also remains the country with one of the highest per-capita emissions for all greenhouse gases, double that of China and nine times larger than India, the world’s first and third largest emitters, respectively.

The country ranked third in the world for fossil exports in 2021, behind only Russia and the US. In 2022, it accounted for 52% of global metallurgical coal exports and 17% of global thermal coal exports.

Read more here.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for August 12-16, 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

While Australia releases about only 1% of global emissions at home, it was linked to about 4.5% once its fossil fuel exports were counted.

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Australia’s fossil fuel exports contribute to global emissions more than any other country aside from Russia, owing particularly to the footprint of coal exports, according to a new report that suggests emissions will rise by 50% over the next decade.

The country’s climate footprint – roughly 4.5% of global fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, with 80% coming from coal and gas exports – “far exceeds” its economic size and population, the report says. Without fossil fuel exports, the country’s contribution to global emissions would be around 1%. Australia also remains the country with one of the highest per-capita emissions for all greenhouse gases, double that of China and nine times larger than India, the world’s first and third largest emitters, respectively.

The country ranked third in the world for fossil exports in 2021, behind only Russia and the US. In 2022, it accounted for 52% of global metallurgical coal exports and 17% of global thermal coal exports.

Coal, the cheapest and dirtiest fossil fuel, is the single-largest source of carbon emissions, responsible for over 0.3C of the 1.2C increase in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. It is also a major contributor to air pollution. 

Every year between 2015 and 2020, it also added 62 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity and has continued to sanction new large-scale projects in 2021 and 2022, according to the report. By 2035, Australia’s exports are projected to add 15 billion tonnes to the cumulative CO2 emissions its export sector generated since 1961, bringing the total to 45 billion tonnes.

‘Off Track’

Countries at last year’s COP28 summit pledged to “transition away” from planet-warming fossil fuels, the single-largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are the primary drivers of global warming as they trap heat in the atmosphere, raising Earth’s surface temperature.

Global fossil fuel consumption has more than doubled in the last 50 years, as countries around the world aim to improve their standards of living and economic output. In 2023, all three of the most potent GHGs – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide – reached record highs.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has urged countries to halt new gas and oil field projects, arguing that this is the only way to keep the 1.5C-compatible net-zero emissions scenario alive. However, Australia seems to go in the opposite direction.

“Australia has a responsibility not just to its own consumers of energy, but to the world,” the report read.

In April, Climatologist Zeke Hausfather said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that “the ship has largely sailed on limiting warming to 1.5C at this point.” The comment refers to the most recent data on the planet’s remaining carbon budget, which suggested we had only 210 GtCO2 remaining at the start of 2024. Carbon budget refers the net amount of CO2 we have left to emit before we exceed our desired global temperature increases.

According to the report, Australia’s projected fossil fuel exports between now and 2035 would consume around 7.5% of the remaining carbon budget and around 9.1% considering Australia’s total
carbon footprint.

In 2015, 195 governments signed the Paris Agreement, setting the threshold for global average temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. But recent developments indicate that, for a 66% chance of meeting the Paris target, we would need to slash emissions from current levels to zero by 2030 or by 2035 for a 50% chance.

“It’s possible to expand the remaining carbon budget by removing more CO2 from the atmosphere than we emit, but even then it’s hard to come up with a plausible 1.5C scenario without overshoot and decline,” Hausfather said.

A recent exclusive survey conducted by the Guardian revealed that the 1.5C goal is increasingly out of reach, with nearly half of all lead authors and review editors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports since 2018 saying they believe humanity will breach the threshold. Of the 380 authors and editors interviewed by the Guardian, 132 (34.7%) expect global temperatures to rise by 2.5C this century, while 100 (26.3%) predict at least 3C of warming.

Among the scientists participating in the survey was Ruth Cerezo-Mota, an expert in climate modelling at the National Autonomous University of Mexico who said a 3C scenario is a “hopeful and conservative” estimate.

“There is not any clear sign from any government that we are actually going to stay under 1.5C,” she told the Guardian.

The post Australia’s Fossil Fuel Exports Ranked 2nd For Climate Footprint Globally, Report Finds appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including Kamala Harris’s VC pick and worrying new research suggesting Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef is deteriorating rapidly.

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1. July Was Second-Hottest Month in History As Experts Warn 2024 Will ‘Likely’ Be Warmest on Record

July 2024 saw a global average temperature of 16.91C. This was just 0.04C lower than the average temperature in July 2023, currently the hottest month on record. This makes last month both the second-warmest July and second-warmest month in recorded history.

Until June, monthly average temperatures had broken records every month since May 2023. Scientists blame the hot streak partly on the return of El Niño, which pushed temperatures off the charts worldwide. The weather event is associated with the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central-east equatorial Pacific. It typically occurs every few years, with the most recent one taking place in 2016.

Despite the trend coming to an end, experts warned that extreme heat will continue for as long as the world maintains its reliance on fossil fuels.

Seas also continued to warm last month. The average sea surface temperature reached 20.88C, the second-highest value on record and only 0.01C shy of the value recorded in July 2023. This put an end to a 15-month period of record-breaking sea surface temperatures.

Read more here.

2. Kamala Harris Chooses ‘Climate Champion’ Tim Walz As VP Pick in US Presidential Election

Tuesday’s announcement prompted reactions from climate advocates and groups, including political action organization the Sunrise Movement, which praised Walz’s robust environmental record and called the Governor a “climate champion” and a “fighter for working people and young people.”

Since his appointment as Governor, Walz, 60, has been focused on tackling the threats posed by the climate crisis in his state, enacting important legislation to phase out planet-warming fossil fuels and promote clean energy development. When signing a law that would lead Minnesota to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 in February of last year, Walz said: “We can’t move too fast when it comes to addressing climate change.” The legislation also requires utilities to create plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their operations.

If elected to the White House, Walz and Harris would bring a strong climate policy background to the national stage at a critical juncture in the US’s efforts to address the climate crisis, an increasingly urgent threat. 

Read more here.

3. Highest Ocean Warming in 400 Years Poses ‘Existential Threat’ to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Researchers Say

This generation will likely witness the demise of Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef unless rapid, coordinated, and ambitious action is taken globally to reverse climate change. Scientists came to this conclusion after looking at recent sea surface temperature trends. They found that the extreme ocean heat recorded between January and March in 2017, 2020, and 2024 was the highest in 400 years.

These extremes, which were caused by anthropogenic influence on the climate system, pose an “existential threat” to the reef’s ecosystem. Located off the coast of Queensland, the reef is the largest in the world. It covers an area of about 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 square miles), more than the UK and Ireland combined.

Coral bleaching occurs as a heat stress response from rising ocean temperatures, which drives algae away from coral reefs, causing reefs to lose their vibrant colours. While a bleaching event is not directly linked to corals’ death, more frequent and intense heat stresses make corals more vulnerable to diseases, slowing down their recovery and limiting their ability to spawn.

Read more here.

4. Wind and Solar Overtake Planet-Warming Fossil Fuels in EU Electricity Generation For First Time

According to energy think tank Ember data published last Tuesday, the two renewable energy sources accounted for 30% of the bloc’s electricity, while planet-warming fossil fuels accounted for 27%, a 17% decrease in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2023. This is despite a 0.7% rebound in energy demand following two years of downward trends, which Ember said was “more than met” by wind and solar.

In total, wind and solar surpassed fossil fuel generation in 13 of the 27 EU Member States with Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands hitting the milestone for the first time. All low-carbon sources combined, including hydroelectric and nuclear power, surged this year and combined made up 73% of all electricity generation. Contrarily, all planet-warming sources dropped. Coal generation alone fell by 24% compared to the same period last year.

Read more here.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for August 5-9, 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

The ocean heat extremes in 2017, 2020, and 2024 – the highest in four centuries – were caused by human influence on the climate system, new research suggests.

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This generation will likely witness the demise of Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef unless rapid, coordinated, and ambitious action is taken globally to reverse climate change, a new study has warned.

Scientists came to this conclusion after looking at recent sea surface temperature trends. They found that the extreme ocean heat recorded between January and March in 2017, 2020, and 2024 was the highest in 400 years. These extremes, which were caused by anthropogenic influence on the climate system, pose an “existential threat” to the reef’s ecosystem. Located off the coast of Queensland, the reef is the largest in the world. It covers an area of about 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 square miles), more than the UK and Ireland combined.

Coral bleaching occurs as a heat stress response from rising ocean temperatures, which drives algae away from coral reefs, causing reefs to lose their vibrant colours. While a bleaching event is not directly linked to corals’ death, more frequent and intense heat stresses make corals more vulnerable to diseases, slowing down their recovery and limiting their ability to spawn.

Scientists at universities across Australia said in a paper published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature that at this rate, the reef is at risk of experiencing “near-annual coral bleaching.” This, they said, would “further threaten the ecological function and outstanding universal value of one of Earth’s greatest natural wonders.”

Recent large-scale marine heatwaves have led to more frequent and severe mass bleaching events around the world, with reefs’ natural recovery processes struggling to keep up.

In March, the Great Barrier Reef Authority said that aerial surveys on over 300 inshore, midshelf, and offshore reefs confirmed that “widespread, often called mass, coral bleaching event is unfolding” across the reef. A month later, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) confirmed that the world is undergoing its fourth global coral bleaching event. It is the second in the past ten years. Among the 53 regions affected are Florida, Eastern Tropical Pacific nations including Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, and Australia. 

According to the most recent report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), the world has lost approximately 14% of corals since 2009. 

Coral reefs are extremely important ecosystems that exist in more than 100 countries and territories and support at least 25% of marine species. They are integral to sustaining Earth’s vast and interconnected web of marine biodiversity and provide ecosystem services valued up to $9.9 trillion annually. They are sometimes referred to as “rainforests of the sea” for their ability to act as carbon sinks by absorbing the excess carbon dioxide in the water. 

Worrying Trends

Until June, sea surface temperatures broke records every month for 15 consecutive months. While the hot streak came to an end last month, warming is expected to continue.

According to the new study, even if all current international climate mitigation pledges are met, global mean surface temperature is still estimated to increase anywhere between 1.9C and 3.2C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. But even if we were to limit global warming to 1.5C, the critical threshold established in 2015 as part of the Paris Agreement, 70-90% of the world’s reefs would still “likely” be lost globally.

So far, the world has warmed by 1.2C compared to pre-industrial times. Nevertheless, IPCC data suggests that 20-40% of the global human population live in regions that, by the decade 2006–2015, had already experienced warming of more than 1.5C in at least one season. According to the UN body, every 0.5C (0.9F) of global warming will cause discernible increases in the frequency and severity of heat extremes, heavy rainfall events, and regional droughts.

Featured image: Tourism and Events Queensland.

The post Highest Ocean Warming in 400 Years Poses ‘Existential Threat’ to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Researchers Say appeared first on Earth.Org.

It is undeniable that the climate crisis and land-use changes are worsening wildfires around the world. According to the United Nations, extreme fire events are set to increase by about 50% by the end of the century, with the Western US, northern Siberia, central India, and eastern Australia already experiencing significantly more blazes compared to just a few decades ago. Here is a list of the top 12 largest wildfires in history and the damage they caused to biodiversity, ecosystems, and urban settlements.

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Top 13 Largest Wildfires in History

1. 2003 Siberian Taiga Fires (Russia) – 55 Million Acres

In 2003 – during one of the hottest summers Europe experienced up to that point – a series of extremely devastating blazes in the taiga forests of Eastern Siberia destroyed over 55 million acres (22 million hectares) of land. A combination of extremely arid conditions and increased human exploitation during recent decades are believed to have played a role in what is remembered as one of the most devastating and largest wildfires in human history. The fires spread across Siberia and the Russian Far East, northern China, and northern Mongolia, sending a plume of smoke that reached Kyoto thousands of miles away. Emissions from the Siberian Taiga fires can be compared to the emission cuts promised by the European Union under the Kyoto Protocol and their effects can still be seen in present-day environmental studies on ozone depletion.

2. 2019/2020 Australian Bushfires (Australia) – 42 Million Acres

The 2020 Australian bushfires went down in history for their catastrophic impact on wildlife. The ​​extreme bushfires tore through New South Wales and Queensland in southeastern Australia, burning 42 million acres, destroying thousands of buildings, and killing dozens of people as well as 3 billion animals, including a staggering 61,000 koalas. Australia experienced the hottest and driest year in its recorded history in late 2019 and early 2020, which was a major contributing factor to the devastating wildfires.

Data released by the climate monitoring body show Australia’s mean temperature in 2019 was 1.52C higher than average, making it the warmest year since records began in 1910; January 2019 was the warmest month Australia has ever recorded. Rainfall was 40% below average, its lowest level since 1900.

You might also like: 3 Things to Know About Australia Wildfires and Bushfires

3. 2014 Northwest Territories Fires (Canada) – 8.5 Million Acres

In the summer of 2014, over 150 separate fires broke out across the Northwest Territories, an area of about 442 square miles (1.1 billion square kilometres) in northern Canada. 13 of them were believed to have been caused by humans. The smokes they generated sparked air quality warnings across the whole country as well as in the US, with smoke visible as far away as Portugal in western Europe. A total of nearly 8.5 million acres (3.5 million hectares) of forest were completely destroyed and firefighters operations cost the government a staggering US$44.4 million. These devastating consequences made the Northwest Territories Fires one of the worst recorded in nearly three decades.

4. 2004 Alaska Fire Season (US) – 6.6 Million Acres

The 2004 fire season in Alaska was the worst on record  in the history of the US state of Alaska in terms of area burned. More than 6.6 million acres (2.6 million hectares) of land were burned by 701 fires. 215 of these were started by lightning strikes; the other 426 were started by humans. The summer of 2004 was extremely warm and wet in comparison to the typical interior Alaska summer climate, which resulted in record amounts of lighting strikes. After months of this lighting and increased temperatures, an uncharacteristically dry August resulted in the fires that continued through September.

You might also like: 10 Interesting Facts About Wildfires

5. 1939 Black Friday Bushfire (Australia) – 5 Million Acres

Gone down in history as Black Friday, the bushfires that destroyed more than 5 million acres in Victoria – a state in southeastern Australia – in 1939, were the culmination of several years’ drought, followed by high temperatures and strong winds. The fires covered over three-quarters of the state’s area and resulted in 71 casualties, making it the third most deadly bushfire in Australia’s history. Despite going on for several days, on 13 January, when temperatures reached 44.7C in the capital Melbourne and 47.2C in Mildura in the northwest, the fires escalated, claiming 36 lives and destroying more than 700 homes, 69 sawmills as well as several farms and businesses. Ash from the blazes fell as far away as New Zealand.

6. The Great Fire of 1919 (Canada) – 5 Million Acres

Despite happening more than a century ago, the Great Fire of 1919 is still remembered as one of the largest and most devastating wildfires in history. In early May, a complex of many fires swept through the boreal forest of the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The wood that had been cut for the timber industry, combined with strong, dry winds, contributed to the quick-burning flames that, within just a few days, ravaged about 5 million acres (2 million hectares), destroying hundreds of buildings and claiming 11 lives.

7. 1950 Chinchaga Fire (Canada) – 4.2 Million Acres

Also known as the Wisp fire and ‘Fire 19’, the Chinchaga Forest Fire burned in Northern British Columbia and Alberta from June until the early fall of 1950. It went down in history as one of the largest recorded fires in North American history, burning an area of approximately 4.2 million acres (1.7 million hectares). While lowering the impact on buildings and threat to humans, the lack of settlements in the region allowed the fire to burn freely. The massive amount of smoke from the blazes created the historic ‘Great Smoke Pall’, a thick cloud of smoke that obscured the sun for nearly a week, turning it blue and making it visible to the naked eye without discomfort. The phenomenon could be observed for several days across eastern North America and Europe.

You might also like: 15 Largest Wildfires in US History

8. 2010 Bolivia Forest Fires (South America) – 3.7 Million Acres

In August 2010, more than 25,000 fires burned across Bolivia, covering an area of approximately 3.7 million acres (1.5 million hectares) and damaging especially the country’s section of the Amazon. The thick smoke that resulted from them forced the government to halt numerous flights and declare a state of emergency. Among the causes was a combination of fires started by farmers to clear land for planting as well as dry vegetation resulting from the extreme drought that the country experienced during the summer months. The Bolivia forest fires were some of the worst the South American nation experienced in nearly 30 years.

9. 1910 Great Fire of Connecticut (US) – 3 Million Acres

Also called the Big Burn, Big Blowup or the Devil’s Broom fire, this wildfire roared through the states of Idaho and Montana during the summer months of 1910. Despite burning for just two days, strong winds caused the initial fire to combine with other smaller fires to form one massive blaze that destroyed 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) – approximately the size of the entire state of Connecticut – and killed 85 people, making this one of the worst wildfires in US history. Despite being remembered for the destruction it caused, the Fire paved the way for the government to enact forest protection policies. 

10. 1987 Black Dragon Fire (China and Russia) – 2.5 Million Acres

Also known as the Daxing’annling Wildfire, the Black Dragon fire of 1987 may have been the largest single fire in the world in the past several hundred years as well as the deadliest forest fire in the People’s Republic of China. It burned incessantly for over a month, destroying approximately 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of land, 18 million acres of which were forest. While the exact cause is not clear, Chinese reports stated that the fire might have been caused by human action. A total of 191 lives were lost during the fire, with a further 250 left injured. Additionally, nearly 33,000 people were left displaced.

You might also like: The Impact of Wildfires on Biodiversity and the Environment

11. 2011 Richardson Backcountry Fire (Canada) – 1.7 Million Acres

The Richardson Backcountry Fire broke out in May 2011 in the Canadian province of Alberta. It was the largest fire event since the 1950 Chinchaga Fire. The blaze burned nearly 1.7 million acres (688,000 hectares) of boreal forest and resulted in a series of evacuations and shutdowns. According to authorities, the fire was almost certainly the result of human activities, however, extremely dry conditions, abnormally high temperatures, and high winds aggravated the intensity.

12. ​​The 1989 Manitoba Wildfires (Canada) – 1.3 Million Acres

Last on our list of the largest wildfires in history are the Manitoba fires. Between mid-May and early August 1989, a total of 1,147 fires – the highest number ever recorded – broke in Manitoba, a Canadian province home to an immense variety of landscapes, from the arctic tundra and the Hudson Bat coastline to dense boreal forest and large freshwater lakes. The record-breaking fires burned nearly 1.3 million acres (3.3 million hectares) of land, resulting in the evacuation of 24,500 people from 32 different communities. The costs to suppress them amounted to US$52 million. While fires during the summer months are nothing new in Manitoba, the number of fires occurring in 1989 was nearly 4.5 times higher than the 20-year average of 120 monthly fires. While May’s blazes were mostly attributed to human action, most of July’s fires were caused by intense lightning activities.

13. 2024 Texas Wildfires (US) – 1.1 Million Acres

The 2024 Texas wildfires refer to several major fires that broke out in late February 2024 in the US state, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County; they are the largest wildfire event in Texas’ history. The Smokehouse Creek Fire alone has burned an estimated 1.1 million acres, surpassing the massive East Amarillo Complex fire in 2006, which scorched almost 1 million acres, and becoming the second-largest and most destructive fire in US history.

This article was first published on September 4, 2022. Research was conducted by Anjella Klaiber.

The post Top 13 Largest Wildfires in History appeared first on Earth.Org.

Just 6% of the world’s population are First Nations peoples, yet they steward 80% of the world’s biodiversity. And they do it without easy access to capital. Less than 1% of global climate finance has reached Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Creating an environment where First Nations peoples are financially supported and welcomed into leadership roles in conservation is critical to the survival of our planet’s most sensitive and vulnerable habitats.

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Among the fragile ecosystems safeguarded by First Nations peoples are the world’s coral reefs. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, and like all coral reefs it is currently suffering the impacts of climate change. The 2023-2024 summer was a tough one for our Reef, with widespread coral bleaching, two cyclones, and several severe flood events devastating some areas. Coral reefs everywhere are enduring similar conditions, with the world experiencing its fourth global mass bleaching event.

So why are First Nations peoples uniquely positioned to support the health of these delicate and vital parts of our ecosystem?

Ancient Knowledge-Holders

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are Australia’s First Peoples, who for 60,000 years have cared for their Land and Sea Country. They are the first scientists, farmers, engineers, innovators and conservationists. For millennia, they successfully nurtured and protected their environment through changing seasons and climates, guided by Traditional Knowledge and customs passed down through generations.

Following colonization, Traditional Owners were systemically excluded from Reef management decisions that affected their Country and their communities. Recently – for the last 40 years – Traditional Owners have sought to remedy this with formal recognition of their inherent rights and interests in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments.

Today, Traditional Owners are leaders in the largest ever co-designed Reef protection effort in Australia’s history. Through the Reef Trust Partnership, a collaboration between the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, a landmark AU$51.8 million (US$34.0) has been invested into conservation projects co-designed with, and co-delivered by, Traditional Owners. By combining Traditional Knowledge with western science, Traditional Owners and the scientific community are developing and applying innovative solutions to the challenges threatening coral reefs. Their work also supports the preservation of Traditional values and knowledge, accelerates the impact of science-based solutions, and educates the next generation, all while safeguarding one of the world’s most delicate ecosystems and awe-inspiring travel destinations.

The lessons learned throughout this process are fundamentally important for site managers globally. This blueprint could hold the key to our oceans’ survival.

Value Diverse Perspectives

Too often we speak about people, instead of with them. Successful co-design work is structured around the premise that all voices and perspectives are valued and considered equally. 

Traditional Owners have deep cultural connections with their Country and take a holistic approach to conservation that inextricably links environmental, animal, and human health and wellbeing. As solutions are explored for addressing climate change impacts along the Reef, Traditional Knowledge and customs are given equal importance to the approaches of western science. This has opened a pathway for communication between Traditional Owner groups and the scientific community, leading to new processes and outcomes that are more effectively supporting Reef health.

Share Power

Historically, Traditional Owners have been excluded from decision-making, agenda-setting, and financial resource management. The “business as usual” approach often relegates Traditional Owners to the periphery. In contrast, the co-design approach places Traditional Owners at the beginning and at the center, fundamentally transforming the system.

This power-sharing framework ensures that Traditional Owners are not just participants but leaders, making critical decisions and shaping the agenda from the outset. This shift results in better outcomes for the Reef and Indigenous communities, demonstrating the efficacy of this inclusive and collaborative model.

Gain Informed Consent

Another hallmark of genuine co-design work is the consistent application of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). For centuries, scientific research has been conducted without any consultation with First Nations peoples. This denies Indigenous communities their rights and interests in their land and sea Country. Instead, it is critically important to engage fully with Traditional Owners well before any work commences, through genuine and on-going inclusion and disclosure. Consent from Traditional Owners must be a requirement for any work to progress.

Commit Long-Term

Transformative change of this magnitude requires a long-term commitment of consistent and concerted effort. It involves meeting communities where they are, rather than assuming they are where we want them to be. This means taking the time to communicate clearly and appropriately at all levels, ensuring that everyone is brought along on the journey. By encouraging the inclusion of lived experiences, we foster an environment where Traditional Owners’ insights and perspectives are integral to the conservation efforts, leading to more sustainable and impactful outcomes.

More on the topic: Opinion: Indigenous People Are Essential for Preventing Biodiversity Loss. They Mustn’t Be Sidelined.

Healing People and Places

Transformational change is incredibly difficult to achieve. And yet, over just a few years, several key pieces of work have emerged that demonstrate the importance of Traditional Knowledge within the framework of environmental conservation, and the role of co-design in ushering forward solutions that benefit First Nations communities and support the work of western science. 

Through substantial investments in Traditional Owner-led projects, we are witnessing transformative outcomes on the Great Barrier Reef. These projects are not only restoring ecosystems but are also revitalizing Indigenous communities, enhancing their capacity to lead future conservation efforts. This systemic change is fostering a new paradigm where Traditional Knowledge and western science work hand in hand to tackle the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Through revegetation projects, Traditional Owners are bringing back keystone and endangered species to native habitats, for example. Water quality projects are eradicating invasive plant species and supporting the regrowth of indigenous plants, which is improving the health of the waterways and shoreline allowing native plants and animals to thrive. These projects have also reduced the flow of sediment, fertilizers, and pollutants onto the Reef. These efforts contribute to the overall health of the Reef, and demonstrate the profound benefits of integrating Traditional Knowledge into modern conservation practices.

Programs like this take time to implement, and the results can take years to become evident. We are encouraged by the progress that has been made in such a short time. It is proof that inviting First Nations people in at the very beginning – with a partnering mentality – creates space for a new type of shared leadership to emerge that supports the health and future of our natural environment and fosters a future where conservation practices are more inclusive, effective, and sustainable. 

By supporting and elevating Indigenous voices around the world, and by honoring the legacy of their Elders and Ancestors, we can ensure the health and resilience of our planet’s most delicate ecosystems for generations to come.

About the authors

Liz Wren is a member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee to the Minister for the Environment and Water The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP and advises the Minister on operating the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and is Co-Chair to the First Nations Wisdom Group, Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network.

Theresa Fyffe is Executive Director Projects & Partnerships at the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Her career has focused on convening diverse groups of purpose-driven people to co-design and deliver high-impact, transformational programs that address complex challenges within complex systems.

The post Why Elevating Indigenous Voices Is Crucial to Protecting the World’s Coral Reefs appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including the tragic death toll of this year’s Hajj and the aftermath of a coral bleaching event in Australia.

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1. Extreme Heat Kills More than 1,300 Hajj Pilgrims

During this year’s Hajj period – which began on June 14 and concluded last Wednesday – daily high temperatures in Mecca ranged between 46-49C (117-120F), according to the Saudi National Center for Meteorology.

Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalaje said in a media interview that he was “pleased” with Hajj’s health plan success. “Despite the large number of pilgrims and the challenges posed by high temperatures, we experienced no outbreaks or public health threats,” he said, as reported in a Saudi Press Agency’s statement.

According to the statement, the total number of victims reached 1,301. 83% of them did not have an official authorization to perform Hajj and suffered from heat related illness after walking long distances under direct sunlight. Most of the victims were of Egyptian origin.

Read more here.

2. Drone Imagery Shows 97% of Corals Dead in Northern Great Barrier Reef

Scientists from Macquarie University, James Cook University, and GeoNadir first mapped the area around Lizard Island in March 2024 and repeated the survey this month. The imagery they collected revealed that at least 97% of the reef had died amid record-breaking sea surface temperatures.

“This is not pretty but I will not apologise for the data. Suck up the discomfort. When is enough enough?” Dr. Karen Joyce, one of the scientists behind the discovery, wrote on X.

In April,  the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) – a partnership of 101 international nations and countries to perverse reefs around the world – confirmed that the world is undergoing its fourth global coral bleaching event, the second in the past ten years.

The event is directly related to rising sea surface temperatures, which in June broke yet another record for the month for the fourteenth month in a row. Seas warmed last year in response to the return of El Niño, a weather pattern associated with the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. 

Read more here.

3. Fossil Fuels Accounted for 82% of Global Energy Mix in 2023 Amid Record Consumption: Report

Our “energy hungry” world chewed through 1.5% more planet-warming fossil fuels last year than in 2022, with coal, oil, and natural gas comprising 82% of the global energy mix, according to the Energy Institute’s latest report on world energy.

Oil and coal accounted for a third and a quarter of the world’s energy consumption, which last year reached a historic high, up 2% from 2022. The record consumption was driven by a spike in energy demand, more than half of which came from the Global South, where energy demand is growing at twice the global rate.

Leading coal consumption globally are China, which burns more coal than the rest of the world combined, and India, which is now burning more coal than Europe and North America combined.

On the other hand, China is also leading the global renewable race . The nation accounted for 55% of all renewable energy additions in 2023, more than the rest of the world combined. This presents a real opportunity to triple global capacity by 2030, a target set at last November’s UN climate summit COP28 in Dubai. And yet, clean energy sources still only accounted for 15% of the world’s energy mix last year – a record high but far from what is needed to curb global warming. Solar and wind made up 8% of the total.

Read more here.

4. Number of Climate Litigation Cases on the Rise as Governments and Companies Face Intensifying Scrutiny Over Inaction and Greenwashing

More than 2,660 climate litigation cases have been filed around he world so far, with around 70% of them initiated after the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Last year alone, a total of 233 new climate cases were filed across 55 countries, according to a yearly assessment published Thursday by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

One of the most rapidly growing forms of litigation is over “climate-washing,” the practice of using misleading or false claims to cover a company’s true climate impact and mislead consumers into believing its products and services are sustainable. More than 140 such cases have been filed to date, with 47 alone in 2023.

The report also identified an increasing effort by civil society actors to use courts as an instrument to spur climate action, with more than 70% of all litigation cases filed last year initiated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals.

Read more here.

5. From Fossil Fuel Phase Down to Protection of Nature, 80% of People Globally Demand More Action in Largest Climate Survey

Carried out by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the University of Oxford, the second edition of the People’s Climate Vote published last week found that an overwhelming majority of people globally are now worried about how climate change will affect their livelihoods and mental health.

The survey engaged over 73,000 people from different age groups, cultural and geographical backgrounds across 77 countries, representing 87% of the world’s population.

An average of 43% of people spanning 89% of countries surveyed said their government has had the biggest impact addressing the climate crisis compared to big businesses (14%), the United Nations (13%), and environmental activists and campaigners (12%). Four in every five people surveyed (80%) want their countries to do more on climate change. This is particularly true for people living in climate vulnerable regions, with 89% of people living in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) saying they want their country to strenghten its commitments to address the climate crisis.

Read more here.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for June 24-28, 2024 appeared first on Earth.Org.

“This is not pretty but I will not apologise for the data. Suck up the discomfort. When is enough enough?” said one of the scientists behind the discovery.

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Nearly all corals on a reef at Lizard Island in Australia are dead following one of the worst mass bleaching events the world’s largest coral reef system has ever endured, new drone imagery has revealed.

Scientists from Macquarie University, James Cook University, and GeoNadir first mapped the area around Lizard Island in March 2024 and repeated the survey this month. The imagery they collected revealed that at least 97% of the reef had died amid record-breaking sea surface temperatures.

“This is not pretty but I will not apologise for the data. Suck up the discomfort. When is enough enough?” Dr. Karen Joyce, one of the scientists behind the discovery, wrote on X.

In April,  the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) – a partnership of 101 international nations and countries to perverse reefs around the world – confirmed that the world is undergoing its fourth global coral bleaching event, the second in the past ten years.

The event is directly related to rising sea surface temperatures, which in June broke yet another record for the month for the fourteenth month in a row. Seas warmed last year in response to the return of El Niño, a weather pattern associated with the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. However, the trend has continued well into 2024, despite signs that El Niño is gradually weakening.

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon in which coral reefs expel the microscopic marine algae called zooxanthellae that live in their tissues when under stress – be it heat, ocean acidification, or human activity. As a result, coral tissues become transparent and lose their signature vibrant colours, exposing their white exoskeleton underneath.

More on the topic: Explainer: What Is Coral Bleaching?

While bleaching does not mean that the corals have died, it increases their vulnerability to marine disease and starvation, which could eventually lead to mortality. The longer corals are bleached under various stresses, the more difficult it will be for algae to return, making it impossible for reefs to be revived.

Disappearing Ecosystems

Coral reefs are extremely important ecosystems that exist in more than 100 countries and territories and support at least 25% of marine species; they are integral to sustaining Earth’s vast and interconnected web of marine biodiversity and provide ecosystem services valued up to $9.9 trillion annually. They are sometimes referred to as “rainforests of the sea” for their ability to act as carbon sinks by absorbing the excess carbon dioxide in the water. 

Unfortunately, reefs are disappearing at an alarming pace. According to the most recent report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), the world has lost approximately 14% of corals since 2009. 

While coral bleaching can be a natural process that occurs due to rising oceans temperatures in the summer months or during natural weather phenomena such as El Niño, a rise in marine heatwaves linked to human activities has led to more frequent and larger bleaching events globally.

One of the best examples of coral bleaching is the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest and longest reef system located off the coast of Queensland, Australia; it covers about 350,000 square kilometres – an area that is larger than the UK and Ireland combined. The stunning coral reef system has already suffered six mass bleaching events in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2024. The events in 2016 and 2017 were so severe that they led to the death of 50% of the iconic reef.

Aside from Australia, coral death has been particularly pronounced in regions such as South Asia, the Pacific, East Asia, the Western Indian Ocean, The Gulf, and Gulf of Oman.

Earlier this week, UNESCO urged Australia to set more ambitious targets to protect the Great Barrier Reef, expressing “utmost concern” at the recent bleaching event.

The post Drone Imagery Shows 97% of Corals Dead in Northern Great Barrier Reef appeared first on Earth.Org.

In an ever-changing world where consumerism and mass production define the majority of the societies, are examples of the tragedy of the commons.  Many countries are facing several environmental problems, such as outdoor air pollution, plastic pollution, and food waste. Ecovillages, on the other hand, provide promise for sustainable living in the face of increasing urbanisation. This article examines ecovillages from across the globe where people live as a community with a laid-back approach practising eco-friendly lifestyle. 

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What Is an Ecovillage? 

There is no one-size-fits-all definition of an ecovillage since each community has a distinct vision, mission, culture, environment, and interest. The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) defines ecovillage as an intentional, traditional or urban community that aims to become socially, culturally, ecologically, and economically sustainable using locally owned participatory processes. Ecovillages aim to minimise the environmental and social impacts, and influence others through their model and collaboration. 

Generally speaking, traditional ecovillages are existing rural villages and communities that have decided to determine their own future path by combining life-sustaining traditional wisdom with positive new innovation through participatory methods, whereas intentional ecovillages are formed when individuals with the same goal or vision bond together.

The GEN was founded in 1995 by 25 community representatives from around the world to establish a solid international network of ecovillage communities and to reach out to policymakers, NGOs, academics, and governments. 

At present, there are over 1,100 villages worldwide. These dwellings consist of a population size of 50-350 people living in a sustainable environment. The primary motive of this lifestyle is to seek alternatives to modern lifestyles, including a secure environment, better childcare facilities, improved services, communal enjoyment, environmental preservation, urban sprawl reduction, and local economic development. Depending on an individual’s motivation and the community’s objectives, one may be admitted or rejected.

You might also like: 5 Ways to Live a More Sustainable Life

Ecovillages Around the World

The following are the 5 interesting ecovillages from around the world listed by the World Economic Forum. 

1) Findhorn Ecovillage, Scotland

Since its establishment in 1985 in Moray, Scotland, Findhorn Ecovillage has become the oldest and most well-known intentional ecovillage in the world. Its founders, who were involved in the GEN, became pioneers of the ecovillage movement. 

The “living laboratory” ecovillage, which was designated the “Best Practice Design” as a model for holistic and sustainable living by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements in 1998, is inspired by the concept of a locally-engaged and low-carbon lifestyle, emphasising the connections between the social, spiritual, economic, and ecological aspects of life. Owing to the unique model where all required things are within a 20-minute walk, this Scottish ecovillage produces one of the lowest ecological footprints of any community in the developed world, nearly half of the UK average. According to a 2006 report, the total Findhorn Ecovillage ecological footprint was 3.86 global hectares (gha) per person, whereas the UK’s was 5.4 global hectares (gha) per person.

Sustainable architecture is at the forefront of Findhorn’s ecological conscience. For instance, buildings have passive solar features, breathing walls which allow controllable flow of air and vapour, efficient heating systems and insulation, water conserving technology, and are built with sustainable materials, such as natural clay and recycled car tires. It also has a biological wastewater treatment plant – the so-called “living machine” – which treats the sewage of up to 500 people living in the community, and people drive zero-emissions electric vehicles. Four community-owned wind turbines supply more than enough the energy needed by the community.

Findhorn provides programmes to raise awareness about sustainability among visitors and the public, such as offering permaculture design certificate courses and ecovillage experience weeks. It also hosts the Findhorn International Forum on Sustainability, which allows participants to interact with representatives from businesses, NGOs, social enterprises and organisations, empowering them to generate new perspectives on existing environmental challenges.

2) Eco Truly Park, Peru

Located on the Peruvian Pacific coast, Eco Truly Park is a renowned ecovillage consisting of 18 conical houses. Its members live in artistic, self-sustaining, and spiritual ways, inspired by the Indian Vaishnava practice of living a healthy, yogic, simple and thoughtful life. Caring for the land is the cornerstone of daily health and vegetarian food is the main diet, as the community emphasises its impact on the health and environment.

Eco Truly Park hosts tours, workshops and volunteer programs where participants can learn about organic farming techniques, harvest vegetarian food, and can take art, yoga, and philosophy classes that teach them principles of non-violence and respect for nature. More than 75,000 visitors have come since its opening in 1994. 

3) The Farm, Tennessee, United States

Stephen Gaskin, a Marine combat veteran and hippie guru, as described by the New York Times, founded The Farm Community in 1971 in Tennessee along with 300 spiritual seekers. Established on the ground of nonviolent values, vegetarianism, and environmental stewardship, it is the oldest intentional ecovillage in the US and currently counts around 200 members and residents. 

The Farm follows eco-friendly practices including sustainable farming, composting, and green energy. Community building is prioritised when it comes to making a positive impact through collaboration and harmony. The ecovillage offers a number of well-known services, such as midwifery centres with workshops, an international development and relief nonprofit, and the Swan Conservation Trust. 

It also has the Ecovillage Training Center, started in 1994 to teach students about permaculture, organic certification professions, green building, renewable energy, installing solar electricity and water heating, and other lessons of eco-living.

4) Crystal Waters Eco Village, Australia

Started in 1987 as the first intentional permaculture village in the world, today Crystal Waters Eco Village has 250 residents from different backgrounds. The 640-acre bushland – recognised as  “Land for Wildlife” – is home to dozens of birds, kangaroos, frogs, and wallabies. Residents occupy 20% of the land, while the remaining 80% is available to be licensed for agricultural, forestry, recreation, and habitat projects.

This ecovillage is inspired by values of clean air, water and soil; the freedom of spiritual belief; meaningful social interaction among their members; and safe and healthy accommodation. It is also based on permaculture, a concept established by Bill Mollison, which in his book “Introduction to Permaculture” defines it as interacting with nature, observing plants and animals holistically, and treating each area as a whole system rather than a single product. 

Some examples of permaculture incorporated at Crystal Waters Eco Village include maintaining the quality and quantity of water downstream, efficient use of multi-functional dams (emergency water, a flood mitigation strategy, etc), widespread use of recycle and reuse practices and of environmentally-friendly building materials, and effective use of land (accommodation, agriculture, forestry, etc). They also provide a permaculture school where participants can learn technical skills as well as the theory behind permaculture.

5) EcoVillage, New York, United States

Founded in 1991 in Ithaca, New York, the EcoVillage is part of an international coalition aiming to strive innovative responses to social, environmental, and economic problems. Nowadays, the ecovillage is one of the biggest co-housing communities in the world, with 170 adults and 40 children across 3 neighbourhoods: Frog, Song, and Tree. 

The buildings are built with passive solar design for natural heating and cooling, and some have photovoltaic panels for solar power.The Tree neighbourhood is designed using passive house principles, meaning houses have large, South-facing windows that heat up the environment easily through the natural daylight, whereas windows are kept at minimum in the North side to keep frigid winds at bay. These houses are highly insulated, with tight air-sealing and thick walls.

This village follows a co-housing model of community-oriented living, with automobiles parked outside the neighbourhood, paths connecting residences, and communal spaces utilised for community meals, play areas, and classes. Organic farms on site provide fruits and vegetables to its members. A 2014 research found that the village ecological footprint is 70% lower than average Americans.

EcoVillage also provides an education program called Thrive. It offers interested individuals a wide range of learning opportunities on sustainable living, such as in-person tours of green building as well as workshops on green energy, environmentally friendly food and farming, land conservation. It also offers online programs such as talks on sustainability and mindfulness by village residents and conscious communication workshops. 

Visitors can also engage in forest bathing walks, which have both physical and mental health benefits and are found to be effective in lowering blood pressure, boosting creativity, improving eye problems caused by the prolonged use of electronic gadgets as well as improving mental well-being. 

More on the topic: The Healing Power of Forest Bathing, Nature’s Remedy for Stress and Mental Well-Being

Conclusion

Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, learning about different ecovillages from different countries give us hope for a more sustainable and livable future. These communities try to balance between economic development, environmental protection, and social well-being. The model can be a lesson for many countries since all four aspects, social, cultural, ecological, and economic are taken into consideration to promote environmental protection, social cohesion, and individual well-being. 

Changing the world takes everyone’s cooperation, understanding, and efforts to preserve nature while focusing on present development, without jeopardising future generations’ ability to meet their own. After all, this is sustainable development. 

Featured image: Tony Basso/Unsplash

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