75 % of Global Coral Reefs Are under Threat
 

The Eastern Caribbean nation of Grenada is taking action to restore coral reefs, which serve as frontline barriers against storm waves as well as basis for local economy and tourism. The reef restoration is being done jointly by the Government of Grenada and UNEP under the Coastal Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Small Island Developing States. It is the first time that coral reefs restoration is carried out in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Globally, 75 percent of  coral reefs are under threat from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and acidification of the seas due to climate change. Read more
 

Invasive species are threatening to crowd out the birds at Djoudj National Park, a wetland of nearly 16,000 hectares and a world heritage site located in the delta of the Senegal River. Widespread colonization of Typha and Phragmite reeds that thrive in stagnant freshwater is choking out the park’s open water vegetation.  In 2013 and 2014, the Arctic to Africa initiative of Wetlands International provided a fund of 15,000 dollars for the restoration work performed by community members. After the project, over 20 kilometres of waterways were reopened and 4,000 hectares were cleared of invasive plants, improving significantly the open water habitat that is critical to dozens of waterbird species and better water flows. Read more
 

Invitation to UNEP/GRID-Geneva 30th Anniversary

United Nations Environment Programme - The global Analytics Centre for the Environment (UNEP/GRID-Geneva) invites partners to celebrate its 30th anniversary on 3 September 2015. Speakers from UNEP and University of Geneva will give presentations, followed by cocktails. Learn more