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PEDRR Shoutout : Environment Experts from Eastern
Europe participated in a study tour of Switzerland on
ecosystem restoration for river flood prevention
   
From 31 August to 4 September 2015, 16 environmental experts from Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine participated in a flood management study tour of Switzerland, to learn about good practices in restoring ecosystems in flood-prone areas. Through a series of seminars and field visits, participants were able to exchange knowledge and experiences in river and floodplain restoration in the Rhone river, Versoix river and the transboundary river Le Marquet between Swtizerland and France.
The Swiss flood protection strategy is based on the principle of identifying "ecological deficits" and undertaking remediation through protecting and restoring riverbank vegetation and increasing the natural space for water in rivers and streams.
The study tour is part of the project "Restoring Ecosystems to Mitigate Floods and Improve Cooperation between Countries in Transboundary River Basins in Eastern Europe", funded by the Government of Switzerland, and implemented by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), UNEP and Zoï Environment Network . Learn more
Ecosystem restoration at the Aire River, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. (OSCE/Serhiy Zhyla)
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News
Kenyan coastal town replanted mangroves for a sustainable future
Kibibi Mramba replants mangroves along a creek in the Kenyan coastal town of Kilifi. TRF/Sophie Mbugua
For the past five years, members of the Mtongani Self Help Group have been acting as volunteer forest guards, restoring mangroves along the Kilifi Creek in Kenya. Coastal mangrove forests are among the world's most important wetland ecosystems, providing crucial habitat for wildlife and fish, and protecting coastlines from severe weather events. Read more
Fleeing drought and heading towards Zimbabwe's fertile east
Banana farmers walk among fields in Zimbabwe's Burma Valley in the eastern highlands of Manicaland. TRF/Andrew Mambondiyani
In Zimbabwe, climate change and deforestation are causing severe droughts and land erosion pushing over 20,000 people from the dry regions of districts such as Mutare, Nyanga and Chipinge to move to the eastern highlands. Rainfall in Zimbabwe could decline by 5 to 20 percent by 2050 due to climate change. Moreover, in Chimanimani, Vumba and Nyanga, illegal settlers have destroyed more than 30,000 hectares of the country's timber plantations in the past seven years. Read more
Caribbean strives to protect coastal and marine ecosystems
A new partnership between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Government of Germany will seek to protect coastal resources from the impacts of climate change. As a result of coastal and marine degradation, including from climate change impacts, the Caribbean is experiencing diminished erosion protection and natural barriers that buffer against storm surges and rising sea levels. Learn more
Himalaya Day celebration highlights ecosystem protection and DRR
On the occasion of celebrating Himalayan Day on 9 September, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu in India, stressed that the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems need to take into account disaster risk and population growth. The Himalaya is important to people in eight countries whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on the environment and natural resources of the region. Learn more |
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Job Vacancies
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Position: Internship in the Framework of a Massive Open Online Course on DRR
Location: Switzerland (Lausanne)
Deadline: 18 September 2015
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)
Position: Technical Specialist / Hydrologist
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Deadline: 20 September 2015
International Trade Center
Position: Economist (Environment, Trade and Agriculture), P-3
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Deadline: 02 October 2015
For more information and other job vacancies, please see PEDRR's Linkedin
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Featured Publications
Performance of Natural Infrastructure and Nature-based Measures as Coastal Risk Reduction Features
Published by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), this report summarizes the most up-to-date knowledge on storm damage reduction performances of nature-based approaches, involving coral reefs, mangroves and coastal wetlands. The report suggests that implementation of these approaches can be facilitated by developing detailed engineering guidelines. It also recognizes that restoring the buffering capacity of natural infrastructure is a “no regrets” approach to coastal resiliency and addresses the needs of communities and ecological systems. Link to the publication
Guidelines on water and climate change for practitioners in Asia and the Pacific
This publication identifies five key principles and corresponding actions to address climate change impacts on water and land resources in the Asia-Pacific. The fourth principle, “Mitigation and Adaptation”, highlights the importance of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach to adaptation, which is recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change. It makes a case how the water–food–energy–ecosystems nexus provides a relevant entry point for adaptation planning. Link to the publication
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Video of the Week
Lessons in Water Cycling: Green Infrastructure
Every year, storm water carries an unhealthy amount of pollution into waterways and causes flooding in cities. This animation uses simple models to explain how green infrastructure allows to manage city’s storm water while protecting the environment. Roofs covered with plants, for instance, can reduce storm water flow by 50 to 90 percent depending on design. They can also provide insulation and save energy use by more than 25 percent in homes and offices.
Watch the Video
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Upcoming Event
6th Annual Conference of the International Society for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRiM 2015): Disaster Risk Reduction - Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Growth
To be held on 28-30 October, 2015, in New Delhi, India, the Conference will develop a strategy for capacity development, emphasizing the importance of regional disaster preparedness, prevention and response leading to effective DRR strategies and their implementation. “Growth, environment and disasters” will be one of the themes in the Conference. Learn more
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Call for Abstracts
International Conference on Forest Fires and Wildland Urban Interface Fires
Following the first Forest Fire Conference in 2013 focused on wildland urban interface (WUI) fires, the second conference to take place from 25-27 May 2016 in Aix-en-Provence, France, will sum up the scientific knowledge related to WUI fires. Related topics include forest management to mitigate vulnerability, land management and risk management planning to limit vulnerability. Participants are invited to submit abstracts before 01 December, 2015. Learn more
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