Beep beep beep. I look at my watch and its altitude alarm has been triggered. This indicator tells me that we have reached 5,600 meters (18,370 feet) above sea level. We are only 190 meters more to the summit. A recent adventure brought me close to climate change. Too close for comfort, in fact. “I must keep going…” “I must keep going…” The fatigue of nearly 7 hours of … [Read more...] about On World Water Day: A Story of Mountaineering, Glaciers and Water availability
Upscaling Silvopastoral Systems in South America
The world population is expected to increase to almost 10 billion people in 2050, and securing the supply of wood and timber from sustainable sources without competing for agricultural land and food production has already become a challenge in many parts of the world. In recent decades’ export-oriented industrial agriculture has become the main driver of South American land use … [Read more...] about Upscaling Silvopastoral Systems in South America
A new native plant garden in Haiti, an oasis for biodiversity and healthy natural environments
Native birds and butterflies were once abundant in Haiti. The time has come to bring these species back to new life, and showcase Haiti’s rich biodiversity. The Inter-American Development Bank, with the assistance of the Jardin Botanique de Cayes, has transformed the roughly 1,000 square meter grounds of its offices in Port au Prince, Haiti into a native plant garden. To … [Read more...] about A new native plant garden in Haiti, an oasis for biodiversity and healthy natural environments
Measuring Violence against Women to Improve Public Safety in Argentina
“They thought that the bullet would silence us. But they failed… weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.” – Malala Yousafzai, speaking at the UN on her 16th birthday On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. Yet there is much work to be done to improve gender parity in … [Read more...] about Measuring Violence against Women to Improve Public Safety in Argentina
Time for the Silos to Dance – achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
I was attending a symposium in the Bahamas when I heard the following in one of the panels: “We need to teach the silos to dance together.” Clearly, the phrase hadn’t come out of the blue. And it immediately struck a chord with me. The meeting was focused on how the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While … [Read more...] about Time for the Silos to Dance – achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)