The International Panel on Climate Change has released the Synthesis Report of its 6th Assessment. The document leaves little room for optimism, but we will try to interpret its messages related to freshwater ecosystems in the most constructive manner: Takeaways for Rivers:
Today, celebrating the Day of Action for Rivers, dozens of civil society groups published their critique of the Draft Guidance Note on Large Hydropower which was disclosed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a short “consultation period”. The ADB may establish a dangerous precedent issuing Guidance, that instructs its …
UNESCO published in Beijing a richly illustrated socio-ecological saga “River Culture – Life as a Dance to the Rhythm of the Waters” (available in full and chapter by chapter here ) In 36 chapters spanning 900 pages the book analyses relationship between key ecosystem processes (e.g. periodic flooding) and ethno-cultural …
On December 15, 2022, 90 civil society groups from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the world called on Chinese authorities and actors to protect biodiversity and people in its overseas investments. As China is chairing the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP) currently …
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt—On November 15, a global river and human rights coalition at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP27) called both on governments to avoid including new large hydropower projects in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and financiers to avoid funding projects due to the climate and human …
Xi Jinping made an important statement, promising to extend wetland conservation efforts beyond China borders. We hope that pledges made by Chinese leader mean that destruction of Rufiji River delta Ramsar wetlands in Tanzania and prevent damage to Khar Us Lake Ramsar site in Mongolia. Both wetlands are threatened by …
