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Environment and Habitat

Stories related to ecosystems, the environment and climate change.

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Bonn Contact Group on Climate Peace and Security ahead of COP29 final report presentation was held successfully in Berlin

Bonn Contact Group on Climate Peace and Security ahead of COP29 final report presentation was held successfully in Berlin

The Bonn Contact Group on Climate, Peace and Security ahead of COP29, held its final report presentation on 9 October at the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany. The meeting was attended by representatives of Berlin-based civil society organisations, policymakers, academics and international organisations. The meeting focused on three critical reports examining the intersections of climate change with water scarcity, land degradation and food insecurity. The event was organised by LINKS Europe in collaboration with the Restart Initiative and the Candid Foundation. 
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New research finds environmental degradation across the South Caucasus

New research finds environmental degradation across the South Caucasus

A new study entitled "Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability in Asia" by Münir Öztürk, Volkan Altay and Recep Efe has found that environmental degradation across the South Caucasus is affecting public health, water and food security. The three countries of the South Caucasus - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - have environmental legislative frameworks but lack effective practices to promote sustainable growth. The main areas of concern identified by the research are soil erosion, deforestation and poorly planned urbanisation. 

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Bonn Contact Group on Climate Peace and Security ahead of COP29 final report presentation was held successfully in Berlin

Bonn Contact Group on Climate Peace and Security ahead of COP29 final report presentation was held successfully in Berlin

The Bonn Contact Group on Climate, Peace and Security ahead of COP29, held its final report presentation on 9 October at the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany. The meeting was attended by representatives of Berlin-based civil society organisations, policymakers, academics and international organisations. The meeting focused on three critical reports examining the intersections of climate change with water scarcity, land degradation and food insecurity. The event was organised by LINKS Europe in collaboration with the Restart Initiative and the Candid Foundation. 
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New research finds environmental degradation across the South Caucasus

New research finds environmental degradation across the South Caucasus

A new study entitled "Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability in Asia" by Münir Öztürk, Volkan Altay and Recep Efe has found that environmental degradation across the South Caucasus is affecting public health, water and food security. The three countries of the South Caucasus - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - have environmental legislative frameworks but lack effective practices to promote sustainable growth. The main areas of concern identified by the research are soil erosion, deforestation and poorly planned urbanisation. 
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Environmentalists take the European Commission to court

Environmentalists take the European Commission to court

Environmental campaigners announced on Tuesday (27 August) that they have taken the European Commission to court over its 2030 emissions rules. They are seeking a ruling from Europe's second highest court that would force the EU bloc to strengthen its climate policies. The case, filed at the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union, is being led by the non-profit organisations Climate Action Network and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN). 
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Greek-flagged oil tanker attacked in Red Sea not leaking oil

Greek-flagged oil tanker attacked in Red Sea not leaking oil

The European naval mission Aspides in the Red Sea says the Greek oil tanker Sounion, which was attacked by Houthi rebels, does not appear to be leaking oil. The tanker is carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil. If it leaked into the sea, it would cause an environmental disaster.
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Polio outbreak in Gaza

Polio outbreak in Gaza

A polio epidemic has broken out in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. This was feared after the polio virus was found in sewage samples earlier this month. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) top official, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said last week that an outbreak was only a matter of time.
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LINKS Europe hosted "The Hague Conversations on Climate Change, Peace, and Security" and shared information on the process of the Bonn Contact Group

LINKS Europe hosted "The Hague Conversations on Climate Change, Peace, and Security" and shared information on the process of the Bonn Contact Group

On 2 July, LINKS Europe hosted the second The Hague Conversations on Climate Change, Peace and Security at The Hague Humanity Hub, focusing on the integration of peace into the COP29 agenda. During the meeting, Dr Dennis Sammut provided an update on the state of the debate on mainstreaming peace at COP29 and shared information on the process of the Bonn Contact Group on Climate, Peace and Security ahead of COP29. He said that he hoped that the peace-building community in The Hague will become more interested and contribute to the topic, including in the preparations of the three reports that the Bonn Contact Group was preparing on the themes of food security, water scarcity and land contamination from remnants of war.
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Sudan's health sector hit hard by 14 months of war

Sudan's health sector hit hard by 14 months of war

More than 14 months of war have severely affected Sudan's health sector, with many hospitals and medical facilities closed, damaged or destroyed. In Omdurman, many hospital buildings are abandoned. Doctors warn that the few operating facilities may close due to limited resources and overcrowding. Dr Ammar Moatasem, who works at a dialysis centre in Kassala State, said they could not follow proper treatment protocols. Awad Mohamed, a patient at the centre, expressed frustration at the lack of hope for improvement. Manal Fadl, a displaced Sudanese mother who underwent heart surgery just before the war, has not received proper follow-up care. 
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Climate change makes it harder to protect the faithful during pilgrimages

Climate change makes it harder to protect the faithful during pilgrimages

Hundreds of pilgrims who died of extreme heat during this year's Hajj were not officially registered with the Saudi authorities (the Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims). As a result, many pilgrims were unable to access basic services such as air-conditioned buses and cooling tents. This situation highlights a growing challenge for Hajj organisers in the face of climate change: the requirement for official permits to access these services raises concerns that unregistered pilgrims may increasingly face life-threatening heat exposure. In addition, the high cost of official Hajj packages is leading some Muslims to seek cheaper, unofficial alternatives that do not include the necessary permits, taking advantage of relaxed restrictions on other types of Saudi visas. The lack of permits for unregistered pilgrims is hampering the provision of services and care, according to Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, the security spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Interior, in an interview on Saudi al-Arabiya television. Critics argue that all pilgrims should be protected from extreme heat, regardless of their registration status, and claim that authorities have cracked down on unauthorised participants this year.