Theme

Environment and Habitat

Stories related to ecosystems, the environment and climate change.

Editor's choice
News
EU: "There can be no peace without universal access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation for all"

EU: "There can be no peace without universal access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation for all"

"There can be no peace without universal access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation for all." This was stated by the European Union in a statement on the occasion of World Water Day on 21 March. The statement issued by EU High Representative, Josep Borrell and the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, adds that "the health and prosperity of people and the planet rely on the stability of the global water cycle." Climate change, biodiversity loss, unsustainable management and pollution have an impact on water resources across the globe. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 1 of out 4 people in the world still lack access to safely managed drinking water. Almost half of the global population lack access to safely managed sanitation. As water scarcity intensifies, increased competition for dwindling freshwater resources threatens stability among and within nations through conflicts, displacement, or migration. And water is also far too often used as a weapon of war. There can be no peace without universal access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation for all. This year's global theme for World Water Day focuses on leveraging “water for peace”. Water resource management and transboundary water cooperation are powerful tools for conflict prevention and peacekeeping. The European Union is working to improve access to water and/or a sanitation facility to 70 million individuals by 2030. It is also working to protect, conserve and restore water-related ecosystems. Building on the outcome of the 2023 UN Water Conference, the EU encourages joint efforts towards effective multilateral governance. Water, including the water-security nexus, needs to be a priority topic across multilateral processes. Water resilience is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to fight climate change.
Editor's choice
Young voices
The Cambodian spirit remains high despite the danger of landmines

The Cambodian spirit remains high despite the danger of landmines

Walking through the temples of Angkor Wat, the sound of musical instruments was making its way through the jungle, complementing the birds. Once I got closer to the musical instruments, I realised that that the singers were victims of landmines, trying to bring awareness to this danger through music. They were not looking for pity or money, simply to share flyers on the history of landmines in Cambodia and its terrible effects that continue to affect civilians. This encounter sparked my interest as Cambodia is rarely mentioned in news or research papers.

Filter archive

Publication date
Editor's choice
News
Timmermans pledges additional €100 million in EU climate aid for vulnerable countries

Timmermans pledges additional €100 million in EU climate aid for vulnerable countries

European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said the money is intended primarily for the most vulnerable countries, such as the least developed countries and small island states. In 2020, the EU and its 27 member states already pledged 23.39 billion euros in climate aid for developing countries to help them reduce their emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.
Editor's choice
News
World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030

World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030

More than 100 countries have reached an agreement at the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow to stop deforestation and land degradation by 2030. It is the first significant pledge during the UN climate summit that started on Sunday. Forest-rich countries such as Brazil, Russia, Canada and Indonesia also support the plan.
Editor's choice
News
Europe will become first climate-neutral continent according to Von der Leyen

Europe will become first climate-neutral continent according to Von der Leyen

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said in her speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow that the European Union will do everything in its power to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent. She therefore stressed that there must be a global price for greenhouse gas emissions. She said there must be a clear price for carbon dioxide emissions, "because nature can no longer pay it".