Latest news with #WorldResourcesInstitute
10-07-2025
- Science
Climate and environment updates: Warmest Junes on record all occurred within the past 3 years
Tropical forests, such as the Amazon rainforest, are often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth" because they absorb carbon dioxide and influence rainfall patterns, making them crucial for our survival and efforts to combat the climate crisis. However, a staggering number of acres were lost in 2024, with much of the loss attributed to wildfires. Nearly 17 million acres of tropical forest were destroyed last year, according to the University of Maryland's 2024 tree cover loss data displayed by the World Resources Institute's Global Forest Watch. That's equivalent to 18 soccer fields every minute and nearly twice as much as was lost in 2023. The new data found that fires accounted for about half that loss, marking the first time on record fires were the dominant driver of tropical forest destruction. That's a significant change over previous years when fires were responsible for just 20% of forest loss. Brazil, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo were among the countries most impacted. Fires eliminated 7 million acres of Brazilian tropical forest, making up 42% of the total loss. In Brazil, the flames, intensified by drought, propelled 66% of the forestry loss. Bolivia lost 3.7 million acres of tropical primary forest loss, a 200% increase. The Democratic Republic of the Congo lost 1.5 million acres and the Republic of Congo lost 150,000 acres, according to the research. In other areas of Latin America, unprecedented fires accounted for at least 60% of forestry destruction in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico and Guyana. According to the research, the fires also released 4.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions back into the atmosphere, resulting from the destruction of trees that naturally absorb carbon dioxide. "Forest fires and land clearing are driving up emissions, while the climate is already changing faster than forests can adapt. This crisis is pushing countless species to the brink and forcing Indigenous Peoples and local communities from their ancestral lands. But this isn't irreversible -- if governments, businesses, and individuals act now, we can stop the assault on forests and their custodians," World Resources Institute Director of Forests and Nature Conversation Rod Taylor said. -WABC's Jordyn Pykon
Euronews
08-07-2025
- Euronews
Majority of UNESCO World Heritage sites face severe water risk
Nearly 73 per cent of World Heritage sites are at high risk of water-related hazards, according to analysis by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and UNESCO. From the Taj Mahal to the Royal Monastery of Santa MarIa de Guadalupe, more than 1,100 inscribed sites were assessed for four types of water risk: drought, water stress, riverine flooding and coastal flooding. Using the WRI's Aqueduct platform, the sites were then categorised by severity, with some facing dual, overlapping issues. 'We found that 21 per cent of the sites faced both a water scarcity challenge, whether that was water stress or drought, as well as a flooding challenge, whether that was riverine and coastal,' Samantha Kuzma, Aqueduct Data Lead at the WRI, tells Euronews Culture. '[This] makes it really difficult to manage the water resources around [the sites] when they're dealing with both extremes.' These water risks are most prevalent in so-called hotspots, where changes to the water cycle, or an increase in human demand, can combine to create extreme environmental challenges. Within the European Union alone, 65 per cent of sites are facing at least one severe water risk, with hotspots predominantly in the Mediterranean - especially Spain and Greece. One notable example is the Acropolis of Athens, which has struggled with both flooding and extreme heat in recent years - the latter of which forced temporary closures last year. '[The Site] is suffering from a multitude of different environmental related challenges that are now starting to limit the ability of tourists visiting that Site,' says Kuzma. 'And if tourism is affected, then all of the economies that are supported by tourism around those sites are impacted, and the community that depends on that is impacted. So there are these real, tangible impacts that we can see when one of these sites is affected.' To combat this, the Acropolis implemented a new drainage system to prevent further flooding, which has so far proven successful. For other sites, however, solutions remain difficult due to a lack of resources and preparedness - but mostly cost. The Museum of Making, which is housed in a UNESCO inscribed Silk Mill in Derby, UK, reportedly spent six-figures on repairs following severe flood damage back in 2023. In their report, the WRI recommends nature-based solutions, such as revitalising wetlands to capture flood waters; enacting national conservation policies to protect against industrial developments; and an elevation of water's status as a global common good. 'I think to adequately protect not only these sites, but also the communities that surround them, we have to think bigger,' explains Kuzma. 'It's thinking about how we can work within these watersheds (an area of land where water drains into a water body like a river or lake) to enact solutions and have healthier, more resilient watersheds.' The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee began in Paris on Sunday, during which representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention will review reports on the conservation of its inscribed properties, along with new nominations. The global share of World Heritage sites exposed to high-to-extremely high levels of water hazards is expected to rise from 40 to 44 per cent by 2050, but Samantha hopes our human connection to these prestigious places will continue to drive collective solutions driven by ingenuity and passion. 'These sites really represent our connection to nature and to culture; they help us have that emotional connection to the areas around us,' she says. 'And if we can use that emotion and that connection to feel inspired, then I think that can help us push further towards scaling the types of solutions that we see.'
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
73% non-marine UNESCO sites at severe water risk: WRI report
A new analysis shows 73% of all non-marine UNESCO World Heritage Sites are exposed to at least one severe water risk (water stress, drought, river flooding or coastal flooding), with 21% of sites facing dual problems — having too much water one year, and too little during another. The Taj Mahal faces water scarcity that is increasing pollution and depleting groundwater, the analysis states (PTI) The analysis based on World Resources Institute's Aqueduct data (also a water risk atlas) has flagged that several sites in India are among those experiencing severe risks, including the Taj Mahal, Kaziranga National Park, Western Ghats, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, and the Great Living Chola Temples among others. Around 40% of the UNESCO sites are facing issues related to water stress and drought risk while 33% and 4% respectively face challenges from riverine flood risk and coastal flood risk. 'Sites at risk include global icons such as the Taj Mahal, Angkor, Yellowstone National Park, Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls, the Sagarmatha National Park (Mt Everest) and many more. With water stress projected to intensify in many regions, the implications for ecosystems, cultural heritage, and local economies are significant - but solutions are within reach,' the analysis said. For example, WRI's mapping shows Sun Temple in Konark; victorian gothic and art deco ensembles in Mumbai; churches and convents of Goa; Western Ghats etc in India are at extremely high risk of riverine flooding. Drought risk is high for Qutub Minar; Keoladeo national park; Rani ki Vaw stepwell in Gujarat; even Chola temples in Mahabalipuram. 'Water is impacting some of the Earth's most cherished places: The Taj Mahal, for example, faces water scarcity that is increasing pollution and depleting groundwater, both of which are damaging the mausoleum. In 2022, a massive flood closed down all of Yellowstone National Park and cost over $20 million in infrastructure repairs to reopen. Water issues — whether it's drought, scarcity, pollution or flooding — have become a threat to many of the more than 1,200 UNESCO World Heritage Sites,' the analysis states. While the global share of World Heritage Sites exposed to high to extremely high levels of water stress is projected to rise from 40% to 44% by 2050, impacts will be far more severe in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, parts of South Asia and northern China — areas where existing water stress is exacerbated by extensive river regulation, damming and upstream water withdrawals. In these regions, the combined pressures of infrastructure development and climate change pose a significant threat to both natural ecosystems and the cultural heritage they sustain, it adds. Places ranging from the biodiversity-rich Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, to cultural treasures like the sacred city of Chichén Itzá in Mexico, to bustling urban centers like Morocco's Medina of Fez are facing growing water risks. For example, the Ahwar of Southern Iraq is facing acute water stress. In 2016, UNESCO added the Ahwar to the World Heritage list as a mixed site — recognized for both its natural values and cultural legacy. It's one of approximately 470 UNESCO World Heritage Sites facing water scarcity due to issues like pollution and competition for its water resources. Fed by Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the Ahwar is among the largest inland delta systems on Earth. These sprawling marshes are teeming with life that include millions of migratory birds like the rare Basra Reed Warbler and large wild buffalo that wade through its reed beds. Over the years, upstream dam construction, agricultural water use and periods of political instability including significant drainage of the marshes in the 1990s have reduced the freshwater flowing into the region. As a result, the area remains highly vulnerable during times of drought, the analysis said. WRI water experts have recommended that local authorities restore vital landscapes that support healthy, stable water, invest in nature-based solutions like planting trees to restore headwater forests or revitalizing wetlands to capture flood waters and recharge aquifers. These approaches can build resilience to extreme weather and address multiple water challenges simultaneously. Nationally, countries can enact conservation policies to protect vital landscapes from unsustainable development.
News18
01-07-2025
- News18
Water Scarcity Behind Growing Pollution, Groundwater Loss At Taj Mahal: WRI Report
The analysis revealed that 73% of UNESCO's non-marine heritage sites face at least one form of severe water risk The Taj Mahal, one of the world's most iconic monuments, is under growing threat from severe water-related risks, according to a new analysis by the World Resources Institute (WRI). The findings were published on Tuesday, July 1, as part of WRI's Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. The report highlights that the Taj Mahal is facing increasing water scarcity, which is contributing to pollution and depleting groundwater levels, both of which are harming the centuries-old marble mausoleum. These risks pose a long-term threat not only to the monument's physical structure but also to its cultural and historical significance. Built in the 17th century and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors each year. However, WRI's data shows that the monument is one of over 1,200 UNESCO-listed sites that are now exposed to serious water-related challenges, including drought, water stress, flooding, and pollution. The analysis reveals that 73% of UNESCO's non-marine heritage sites face at least one form of severe water risk. Specifically, 40% are exposed to extreme water stress, while 37% are at risk from severe drought. The report also notes that by 2050, the global share of World Heritage Sites facing high to extremely high levels of water stress is expected to rise from 40% to 44%. Regions like South Asia, including northern India, are expected to face the worst impacts due to existing water shortages combined with increased climate stress and upstream water extraction. First Published: July 01, 2025, 19:14 IST
Scientific American
01-07-2025
- Science
- Scientific American
See Earth's Forests as Never Before in Biomass Satellite's First Images
Just two months after its launch, the European Space Agency (ESA) Biomass satellite is already showing us Earth in a whole new light. On June 23 the ESA released the mission's first images, which showcase its unique capability to peer through dense vegetation to study our planet's forests and other ecosystems as never before. Using cutting-edge radar technologies, the satellite is on a five-year mission to survey forests across sprawling swaths of the globe, looking beneath their canopies to accurately assess their total woody biomass—trunks, limbs, stems, and so on. By measuring all that material and how it's changing over time, scientists can better monitor deforestation trends and track the flow of carbon through ecosystems to enhance our understanding of Earth's rapidly changing climate. The satellite is still in its six-month-long commissioning phase, but now we have a taste of what is to come. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. The image shown above displays a section of the Amazon rainforest in Bolivia with the Beni River meandering through. Each color represents a different ecosystem feature: black for rivers and lakes, pink for wetlands and floodplains, green for rainforests, and purple for grasslands. The World Resources Institute's Global Forest Review ranks Bolivia among the top 10 countries with the most tree cover loss between 2001 and 2024. During this time, Bolivia lost the equivalent of 15 percent of the total forest cover it had in 2000, in large part to encroaching agricultural plots and cattle ranches. These images and their associated data can help researchers keep careful tabs on deforestation and its impacts on local and global ecosystems. The image below highlights the satellite's power by comparing its observations with those gathered by a Biomass predecessor, ESA's Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, in the same location. The new pictures represent a significant increase in detail that is primarily owed to Biomass's main instrument: the P-band synthetic aperture radar. P-band radio waves are longer than others more typically used in such radar systems, allowing them to pass through layers of foliage, soil and other materials to create accurate three-dimensional maps of otherwise hidden landscape features. Because of engineering challenges as well as diplomatic ones, this is the first time P-band radar has been used in orbital Earth observations—the P-band radio frequency is typically reserved for American and European missile-detection systems. (In order to ensure it will not interfere with the U.S. Department of Defense's space-object-tracking radar systems, Biomass will not observe North and Central America, Europe, and some Arctic regions.) The next three images below demonstrate just how deep the P-band radar can go. They display topographic features of rainforests in Indonesia, the Sahara Desert in Chad and the Transantarctic Mountains adjacent to the Nimrod Glacier in Antarctica, respectively. Pictured above is Indonesia's mountainous Halmahera rainforest, featuring rugged topography shaped by outpourings from the numerous volcanoes that pockmark the region. One of them, the active volcano Mount Gamalama, can be seen off the coast on the far left. Though the main goal of the Biomass satellite is to catalog forests, it will also study other environments. Above is a portion of the Tibesti Mountains situated in the central Sahara Desert in northern Chad. Able to map features as far as five meters beneath dry sand, the satellite can reveal ancient geologic details, such as dried-up riverbeds and lakes, now buried below the Sahara's ever-shifting dunes. These data can help researchers understand past ecological changes in such regions—and could even help unearth hidden pockets of precious groundwater in arid, remote deserts. Biomass can also penetrate into ice, pictured below, and collect information about ice-sheet structure and movement that could be used to better understand what controls the slide of glaciers into the sea. Below, another image features jungle-covered terrain in Gabon and prominently displays the Ivindo River, which nurtures the surrounding rainforest. The predominantly green color of the image indicates dense vegetal growth—a sign of a healthy rainforest. The final image shown here, below, is the very first one the satellite produced. It displays a portion of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, highlighting the topography of the region alongside features such as rivers, wetlands and grasslands. Only a small portion of the vast Amazon has been studied in-depth and on the ground. This is largely because of its scale and the associated difficulty of reaching some of its most remote regions. Innovative satellites like Biomass could greatly increase our knowledge of these overlooked places and similar ones around the world, helping researchers better understand—and protect—our changing planet and its myriad beautiful ecosystems.
