Category: Environment

This international day has been observed since 1993, following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. But how did World Water Day come about, and why is it so important?

{{Origins of World Water Day}}

The concept of World Water Day was born out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), commonly known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro.

The Earth Summit was a landmark event, attended by leaders from over 100 countries, which focused on various critical environmental issues facing the world, including water scarcity, water pollution, and the need for water conservation.

During this conference, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/47/193) on December 22, 1992, designating March 22, 1993, as the first World Water Day.

This resolution responded to the conference’s call for global awareness and action on water issues. Since then, World Water Day has been celebrated annually, with each year focusing on a specific water-related theme to address different aspects of freshwater challenges.

{{Significance of World Water Day}}

World Water Day serves multiple essential purposes. Firstly, it acts as a means of raising awareness about the critical importance of water in sustaining life, economies, and ecosystems. It highlights not just the necessity of water but also the crises many people face regarding water scarcity, quality, and access.

Secondly, World Water Day encourages actions to tackle global water challenges. It’s a day for governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to engage in initiatives aimed at improving water management and reducing water wastage. Whether through policy reform, educational programs, or local water conservation projects, the day mobilizes efforts to make a difference.

Thirdly, World Water Day fosters international collaboration. Water issues are complex and often transboundary in nature. As such, they require cooperation across nations, sectors, and communities. World Water Day provides an opportunity for stakeholders worldwide to share knowledge, best practices, and innovations in water management.

{{Themes over the years}}

Each year, World Water Day centers around a specific theme to highlight various aspects of freshwater relevance and challenges. Past themes have included “Water and Climate Change,” “Leaving No One Behind,” “Nature for Water,” and “Valuing Water.”

These themes encourage a holistic approach to understanding and addressing water issues, reflecting their multifaceted nature.this years theme is Raveling water for peace and prosperity

World Water Day is more than just an annual observance; it’s a call to action for the preservation and sustainable management of one of our most precious resources: water. It reminds us of the vital role water plays in our lives and the lives of future generations.

By celebrating this day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all, a fundamental aspect of achieving a sustainable and equitable world. Happy World Water Day!

This article delves into the fascinating world of bird divorce, exploring factors influencing this behavior, the role of promiscuity, and the elaborate courtship rituals birds employ.

{{Factors Influencing Bird Divorce}}

The decision to divorce in birds is influenced by a variety of factors. It is estimated that over 90% of bird species have a single mate over at least one breeding season, but some monogamous birds opt for a different partner in subsequent seasons, a behavior termed divorce.

Research suggests that divorce in birds is not solely a strategy to boost individual fitness or a response to ecological factors like migration but is influenced by a combination of both. Pairs maintaining contact outside the breeding season are more likely to synchronize their schedules and remain faithful, indicating the importance of communication and shared timelines in avian relationships.

{{Promiscuity and Divorce}}

Promiscuity means mating with more than one partner in a short period and this plays a significant role in bird divorce dynamics. Birds in female-dominated populations are more prone to divorce, and promiscuity increases in predominantly male environments. Additionally, birds undertaking long-distance migrations show higher tendencies to break up with their partners. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between social dynamics and environmental factors in avian relationships.

{{Bird Courtship and Flirting}}

Bird courtship involves a myriad of behaviors aimed at attracting mates. Elaborate dances, preening, feeding rituals, and displays of strength and agility are just a few examples. Male northern cardinals, for instance, may engage in feeding rituals to demonstrate their ability to provide for a family. Each bird species exhibits its unique courtship rituals, showcasing the diverse strategies employed in the pursuit of a mate.

{{Understanding Divorce as an Adaptive Strategy}}

Divorce in birds is considered an adaptive strategy to maximize lifetime reproductive success. However, the literature reveals that there is no one-size-fits-all explanation for bird divorce. The varying divorce rates between species can be attributed to differences in life histories, resulting in diverse costs and benefits associated with divorce. While the ultimate goal is to maximize reproductive success, the proximate factors leading to divorce remain complex and warrant further theoretical and experimental exploration.

Studying the social behavior of birds provides valuable insights into the parallels between avian and human relationships. Birds, in their quest to optimize reproductive success, experience divorce as a strategic adaptation. The intricacies of divorce in birds reflect the multifaceted nature of their lives, demanding continued research and exploration to unravel the complex reasons behind this fascinating avian phenomenon.

Umusambi village has shot to stardom globally by providing a conducive environment for more than 50 grey-crowned cranes. The sanctuary, with an area of roughly 21 hectares, has become a popular destination that draws tourists from Europe, Africa, and Asia who enjoy learning about conservation work and the importance of protecting natural environments.

Winnie Kyamujara, the village’s head guide, said they were inspired to restore the area to conserve the majestic birds. “They were endangered, and their population was declining in the country. We thought of a place where they can reproduce and allow them to be in their natural environment,” Kyamujara told Xinhua.

About seven years ago, the grey-crowned cranes were almost driven to the edge of extinction by illegal bird hunters in Rwanda. As of 2017, there were fewer than 500 cranes of the species in the East African country.

The plight has driven conservation efforts by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, a non-governmental organization (NGO), to restore a wetland area at Umusambi village to safeguard the endangered birds, after Olivier Nsengimana, a Rwandan veterinary doctor, designed a unique conservation project to combat the illegal trade of the endangered bird species in Rwanda.

The organization started the restoration work in 2018 and brought in the birds at the end of 2019.

“We restored this place because cranes love to be in native trees. That is why we focused on restoring the place and bringing the grey-crowned cranes saved from the illegal pet trade so that they can thrive and live freely like they used to be in the wild before,” Kyamujara said.

Cranes do not like to live in captivity or any enclosure or home. The organization, however, rescued many cranes that were disabled due to their capture and transportation or because people had cut their wings to stop them from flying away.

Restoration of the place involved knowing the kinds of trees and plants that needed to be planted.

The organization marked trees that were exotic and invasive. It hired community members to help remove invasive and exotic trees. It then sourced seedlings for indigenous trees and planted more than 10,000 trees with the help of casual laborers.

“In the 2017 census, we had less than 500 cranes in the country, but by last year, we had 1,216, so the population of cranes doubled, and we are proud of that,” said Kyamujara.

She believed that the establishment of the sanctuary at the Umusambi village impacted the community and surrounding areas beyond conservation.

“We employed more than 200 people daily during restoration. Besides casual workers, we hired permanent workers. We are working here because this place was restored. It is a nice place that everyone would wish to visit,” she said.

She said besides cranes, Umusambi village sanctuary is now also home to many other bird species and wildlife.

The village has more than 130 bird species, according to her. Other wildlife, including butterflies and lizards meant to be in the wild, can be found there.

“We hope that in the years to come, Umusambi village will have more animals compared to cranes,” she said.

About 10 tourists from China have signed up for an annual pass to the village, and they are its good supporters, according to Kyamujara. “The feedback they give us is that we are doing a great job, we are making a change; they are supportive of us,” Kyamujara said.

To ensure the safety of the birds, the conservation area is fenced off with an electric fence.

Besides, guides monitor the birds every morning and evening to ensure they are healthy.

“We have a team of veterinary doctors who treat sick birds. We also have a clinic for wildlife which treats birds and small mammals,” she said, adding that the safety of the cranes is guaranteed.

The Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association started with campaigns on various media platforms, teaching people the dangers of keeping cranes in their homes. It carries out education campaigns in schools and communities about conservation. It also hosts schools to teach students about the importance of conserving cranes.

Kyamujara said the campaign helped combat poaching of the cranes for petty trade.

Umusambi village is just one of the six places the NGO has since restored for conservation.

Kyamujara thought that the lessons learned from the Umusambi village project to save cranes could help to protect other wildlife under threat. “Many people now understand the importance of conserving the environment. But conservation requires collective efforts,” said Kyamujara.

The global temperature averaged 14.98 degrees Celsius last year, up by 0.17 degree Celsius from 2016, which was the previous warmest year on record, according to findings outlined in the 2023 Global Climate Highlights report.

From June onward, each month in 2023 experienced higher temperatures than any corresponding period in recorded history, with July and August standing out as the warmest months on record.

For the first time, each day through the past year was at least one degree Celsius above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial level for that time of year, the report said.

C3S Deputy Director Samantha Burgess described 2023 as an exceptional year “with climate records tumbling like dominoes.”

“Temperatures during 2023 likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years,” she added.

A critical driver of the unusual air temperatures throughout 2023 was the unprecedentedly high sea surface temperatures (SSTs).

“Global-average SSTs rose sharply in March, with a slight dip in April and May, but continued to rise throughout the boreal summer months to reach the highest value of 21.02 degrees Celsius on Aug. 23 and 24,” the report said.

The primary long-term factor contributing to elevated ocean temperatures is the continuing increase in concentrations of greenhouse gases but an additional contributing factor in 2023 was the El Nino Southern Oscillation, the report said.

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane continued to rise, reaching record levels in 2023 at 419 ppm and 1902 ppb, respectively, it said.

The rise in temperatures has resulted in extreme events worldwide, including heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires. Notably, it has also impacted sea ice in both the Arctic and the Antarctic, according to the report.

In Kigali, young students attending kindergartens and primary schools face a heightened threat from air pollution, primarily stemming from their parents’ cars and the older buses that transport them.

Dr. Egide Kalisa, a researcher affiliated with the University of Rwanda and the University of Toronto in Canada, conducted a comprehensive study into this issue.

Dr. Kalisa’s year-long research in Kigali schools exposes the peril children face during their daily commutes to and from school. Startlingly, he notes that stationary cars emit more harmful fumes than those in motion.

Mornings and evenings witness numerous cars idling in front of schools, discharging noxious fumes that seep into the educational institutions, jeopardizing the air children breathe.

Furthermore, many schools in Kigali are located in proximity to highways, intensifying the levels of air pollution children are subjected to.

Dr. Kalisa, along with colleagues from the University of Toronto, indicated that children in kindergarten and primary schools inhale exhaust fumes from their parents’ vehicles, with the concentration tripling during drop-off and pick-up times.

An alarming comparison emerged from their research, equating the amount of air children inhale at school to smoking over 600 cigarettes in a year.

The escalation of air pollution affecting children can be attributed to the inadequate ventilation systems in many schools, permitting polluted air to infiltrate learning environments. This grim scenario adversely impacts children’s health, rendering them more susceptible to respiratory diseases, lung cancer, asthma, and diminishing their academic performance.

Dr. Kalisa underscores the necessity of implementing sustainable measures to curb air pollution, especially in school settings.

These measures include relocating parked cars away from school premises, encouraging parents to switch off their engines during drop-off and pick-up times, planting more trees near schools and roads, sensitizing children and parents about the perils of air pollution, advocating for cleaner school buses, and promoting walking or high-quality bus transport for school commutes.

Furthermore, Dr. Kalisa recommends constructing schools in areas isolated from public roads and industrial zones to minimize exposure to contaminated air. Installing air filtration systems within schools to purify the indoor environment is another vital step.

He also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive awareness campaigns targeting parents, children, and school administrators to mitigate the effects of air pollution in and around schools.

Dr. Kalisa suggests the government establish dedicated bus routes for transporting children to school, thus reducing their exposure to emissions during their commute.

In pursuit of a solution, Dr. Kalisa has initiated a collaborative campaign with students from Kigali schools to encourage parents to switch off their cars while parked at school and to educate them about the dangers and effects of air pollution.

The endeavor seeks to safeguard the well-being of our most precious assets – our children.

Climate justice requires that climate action is consistent with existing human rights agreements, obligations, standards and principles. Those who have contributed the least to climate change unjustly and disproportionately suffer its harms. They must be meaningful participants in and primary beneficiaries of climate action, and they must have access to effective remedies.

At the half-time point of the 2030 Agenda, the science is clear – the planet is far off track from meeting its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to tackle hunger, poverty and ill-health, improve access to clean water and energy and many other aspects of sustainable development, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track, says the United in Science report, which makes a systematic examination of the impact of climate change and extreme weather on the goals.

It illustrates how weather, climate and water-related sciences can advance aims such as food and water security, clean energy, better health, sustainable oceans and resilient cities.

As per Fifth Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, climate change is caused by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses. Among other impacts, climate change negatively affects people’s rights to health, housing, water and food.

These negative impacts will increase exponentially according to the degree of climate change that ultimately takes place and will disproportionately affect individuals, groups and peoples in vulnerable situations including, women, children, older persons, indigenous peoples, minorities, migrants, rural workers, persons with disabilities and the poor.

Therefore, states are urged to act to limit anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses (e.g. mitigate climate change), including through regulatory measures, in order to prevent to the greatest extent possible the current and future negative human rights impacts of climate change.

{{States obligation on climate change }}

To mitigate climate change and to prevent its negative human rights impact; states have an obligation to respect, protect, fulfill and promote all human rights for all persons without discrimination. Failure to take affirmative measures to prevent human rights harms caused by climate change, including foreseeable long-term harms, breaches this obligation.

States must build adaptive capacities in vulnerable communities, including by recognizing the manner in which factors such as discrimination, and disparities in education and health affect climate vulnerability, and by devoting adequate resources to the realization of the economic, social and cultural rights of all persons, particularly those facing the greatest risks.

To ensure that all persons have the necessary capacity to adapt to climate change; states must ensure that appropriate adaptation measures are taken to protect and fulfill the rights of all persons, particularly those most endangered by the negative impacts of climate change such as those living in vulnerable areas (e.g. small islands, riparian and low-lying coastal zones, arid regions, and the poles).

{{International cooperation:}} The UN Charter, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and other human rights instruments impose upon States the duty to cooperate to ensure the realization of all human rights. Climate change is a human rights threat with causes and consequences that cross borders; thus, it requires a global response, underpinned by international solidarity. States should share resources, knowledge and technology in order to address climate change.

International assistance for climate change mitigation and adaptation should be additional to existing ODA commitments. Pursuant to relevant human rights principles, climate assistance should be adequate, effective and transparent, it should be administered through participatory, accountable and nondiscriminatory processes, and it should be targeted toward persons, groups, and peoples most in need. States should engage in cooperative efforts to respond to climate-related displacement and migration and to address climate-related conflicts and security risks.

{{Ensuring equity in climate action:}} The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and ‘The Future We Want’ all call for the right to development, which is articulated in the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, to be fulfilled so as to meet equitably the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change calls for states to protect future generations and to take action on climate change ‘on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities’.

While climate change affects people everywhere, those who have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions (i.e. the poor, children, and future generations) are those most affected.

Equity in climate action requires that efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change should benefit people in developing countries, indigenous peoples, people in vulnerable situations, and future generations.

According to the Rwanda Meteorology Agency Report, Rwanda has decided to pursue a green growth approach to development. The availability of regional and local scale climate change scenarios is critical for assessing climate change impacts and vulnerability in various socio-economic sectors and developing appropriate adaptation strategies.

Therefore, there is a need for standardized climate projections for Rwanda specific to its different agro-ecological zones and biophysical conditions or for guidance on which external climate information sources to use and how to use them.

A bat’s wing is similar to a human hand except the thumb is small and claw-like, while the remaining digits (fingers) are long and there is skin stretched between them. There is a large area of wing membrane between the bat’s fifth finger and its body/leg.

Surprisingly, bats are also related to the Primates, the mammal taxon that includes lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans; and to the Scandentia, the Asian tropical tree shrews. All these mammals are sometimes classified together in one large taxon, the Archonta.

Bats are beneficial. They eat insects and pollinate plants and play an important role in keeping ecosystems healthy and in balance. Many myths are associated with bats, such as the saying “blind as a bat.” This isn’t true. Bats can see quite well. Another myth is that bats get caught in people’s hair. They don’t. Nor are bats destructive pests like rats and mice. In fact, a colony of bats could cut down on unwanted mosquitoes around

{{Bat reproduction}}

Male and female bats tend to remain separate in summer. Mating occurs in early fall. However, in a process known as delayed fertilization, sperm is stored in the females’ reproductive system until the following spring when ovulation occurs and embryonic development begins. The young bats, known as pups, are born in spring. The newborn bats are blind and hairless and are nursed by their mother until they are 6 weeks old. Young bats begin to fly by the time they are a month old.

{{Here are some interesting facts about bats}}

Bats are unique animals. There are nearly 1,000 species of bats in the world. However, bats are basically tropical animals and only about 40 kinds of bats live in North America. · Bats have been around a long time, since the age of dinosaurs. Ancient bats resembled those living today. Except for the most extreme desert and polar regions, bats today live in almost every kind of habitat worldwide.

Bats have some amazing abilities: Mexican free-tailed bats can fly 10,000 feet high. Townsend’s-big eared bats can pluck insects from foliage. Hibernating little brown bats can stop breathing for almost an hour during hibernation to reduce their energy needs. Fishing bats have an echolocation system so sophisticated they can detect a minnow’s fin as fine as a human hair.

Did you know that there exists The Honduran white bat, a colorful snow-white bat with yellow nose and ears, cuts large leaves to make “tents” to protect its small colonies from drenching jungle rains. Bats eat a variety of foods from flower nectar to fish, small mammals, and insects. Bats also come in an array of colors and sizes and shapes.

Sometimes the nature depends on bats. For example, agricultural plants from bananas to cashews, dates, and figs rely on bats for pollination and seed dispersal. Despite bats’ many benefits including pollination and insect control, their populations are declining nearly everywhere.

A bat really is like humans, bats are mammals. Bats are the only mammals that actually fly, flapping their wings to propel them in flight. Some mammals, such as flying squirrels, only glide rather than fly. Because bats are unique they are classified in their own special order of mammals, called Chiroptera. Chiroptera means “hand-wing,” referring to how the finger bones of a bat support its wings. The wings of a bat are actually thin membranes of skin that stretch between the fingers of the front leg and extend to the hind legs and tail.

{{Bat features }}

Bats have elongated finger bones that serve a purpose similar to struts on an airplane wing, providing support and maneuverability during flight. When a bat rests, it folds its wings alongside its body to protect the delicate finger bones and wing membranes. Most North American bats are insectivorous. Insect-eating bats capture their prey by foraging on the wing, catching flying insects from a perch, or collecting insects from plants.

Did you know that some bats seize insects with their mouths. Other bats use their wings or tail membrane to trap prey. Bats may disable large insects with a quick bite, then envelop the insect meal in a basket formed by the bat’s wings and tail, and carry the insect to a perch for eating. Bats have sharp teeth to chew their food into tiny, digestible pieces. A bat may consume nearly 50 percent of its body weight in insects during just one night.

Other kinds of bats have patterns so bright they are called butterfly bats. Some bats have long angora-like fur varying in color from red to black and white. The bumblebee bat of Thailand weighs less than a penny. Some of the large bats known as flying foxes such as those living in Indonesia have wingspans up to 6 feet. Flying foxes live only in tropical and subtropical areas including Australia and eat primarily fruit and nectar. Other species of bats are carnivorous, preying on fish, frogs, mice, and birds.

Sometimes it is important to dive a bit further into creatures that surround us mostly leaving creatures, for they are like us in one way or the other. I believe learning about these creatures is very essential.

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of lions, their unique characteristics, their conservation status, and the various challenges they face in the modern world.

{{The lion’s physical attributes}}

Lions possess a robust physique, characterized by a broad chest, a rounded head, and tufted ears. One of the lion’s most distinctive features is its magnificent mane, which is more pronounced in adult males. Male lions are larger than their female counterparts, with the mane serving both as a symbol of their maturity and as a means of appearing more intimidating to potential rivals.

Though there are mane less lions, one of the most notable characteristics of a lion is its mane. A lion’s mane typically begins to grow around its neck at about 1 year of age, and by the time it reaches 3 to 4 years old. It’s important to mention that the growth of a lion’s mane is influenced by the environment it is growing from.

{{Social structure: The pride}}

Lions have been recognised to be one of the most social creatures on the wildlife list of big cat family. These animals live in groups when compared to other big cats which live in solicit .A lion’s group also referred to as a pride consists of ten to fifteen lions and they are led by a dominant male lion who is responsible for protecting the group. The pride formation is also a mechanism for survival.

{{Habitat and behavior}}

Lions inhabit diverse environments, including grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. They are typically diurnal, but when faced with threats, they adapt to nocturnal activity. Lions have a rich history, dating back to the Neolithic period when they roamed across Africa and Eurasia. However, due to habitat loss and conflicts with humans, their populations have dwindled and are now primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa and a small population in western India. The other behavior of a lion is that the lioness tends to hide its pregnancy or birth of the cub, and distincts itself from the pride.

{{Cultural significance}}

Lions hold a special place in human culture and history. They are widely recognized and revered, often depicted in sculptures, paintings, national flags, and contemporary media. Ancient civilizations, including Ancient Egypt, prominently featured lions in their art and mythology, reflecting the enduring fascination with these majestic creatures.

{{Subspecies: African and Asiatic lions}}

In the wild, two subspecies of lions exist: the African lion and the Asiatic lion. The latter is found in India’s Gir Forest. While they share many similarities, male Asiatic lions tend to have shorter, darker manes than their African counterparts, and both male and female Asiatic lions are generally smaller in size.

{{Diet and hunting}}

Lions are formidable hunters, capable of consuming up to 7 kg of prey in a single meal for the males and 5 kg for the females. Lionesses take on the role of hunting due to their lighter and faster nature.

They don’t engage in chewing their food but instead rely on their long canine teeth to seize and kill prey, using sharp rear teeth to tear it into manageable chunks. Lions are renowned for their strategic hunting behavior, as they often rely on scavengers and watchful vultures to guide them to a carcass.

They frequently choose to hunt at night or during storms to exploit their prey’s reduced sensory awareness, given their nocturnal nature. Not only do lionesses participate in hunting, but they also keep a vigilant eye on the lion while it eats, as the lion may be unable to protect the pride if it falls ill.

{{Roaring and communication}}

Lions are unique among the cat species in their ability to roar, which they use to protect their territory and deter rivals. Lion cubs may also join in with their attempts at roaring as they grow older. These roars can be heard from considerable distances, with volumes reaching up to 114 decibels.

{{Conservation status and threats}}

Despite their enduring popularity, lions face a grim reality in the wild. They are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with African lion populations declining by approximately 43% since the early 1990s. The primary threats to their survival include poaching, habitat loss, and fragmentation, as well as the impacts of climate change and diminishing prey availability. Trophy hunting and canned hunting also contribute to the decline of lion populations.

The lion, with its regal appearance and rich cultural significance, is a symbol of strength and majesty. However, these magnificent creatures are facing significant challenges in the wild.

Conservation efforts are essential to protect their dwindling populations and ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at the king of beasts in all its glory. It is our responsibility to raise awareness and take action to safeguard these iconic animals for generations to come.

The MoU outlines their joint commitment to address threats to biodiversity, including climate change, food production systems, poverty, and weak governance. Both parties pledge to cooperate and collaborate to advance these goals and support African State Parties in negotiating and implementing a successful post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

The announcement was made during the Society for Conservation Biology’s (SCB) 31st International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2023) taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, July 23-27, 2023. The theme of the Congress: ‘The Future is Now: Sustaining Biodiversity for Today and Tomorrow’, reiterates and reinforces the urgency of collective action in protecting our natural resources.

The congress is the premier global meeting for conservation scientists and professionals, including researchers, students, agency personnel, environmental educators, practitioners, and other conservation stakeholders to address conservation challenges and present new research in conservation science and practice.

The Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) is a multi-institutional association that brings together cross-sectoral expertise to achieve greater impact than any one individual organization.

Speaking at the event, ABCG Director Rubina James lauded the partnership terming it a milestone for conservationists in the region as the collaboration will benefit its members through sharing of information and access to technical and scientific data, advancing the development implementation of conservation programs, advocacy and influencing activities that enhance achievement of sustainable development and transformative policy shifts, among other benefits.

“By accessing the wide-ranging expertise and extensive networks of ABCG members throughout sub-Saharan Africa, ABCG is in a unique position to address critical conservation issues by developing, testing, and promoting innovative conservation approaches,” she noted.

The Society for Conservation Biology is a global community of conservation professionals, students and non-profits dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving biodiversity. This new collaboration will support to mobilize assistance, resources, and strategic support for the purpose of strengthening SCBA’s capacity.

“We are excited as SCBA to collaborate with ABCG in advocacy and influencing activities that enhance our shared vision on conservation and work towards transformative policy shifts at government and the continent’s leadership levels. With our collective efforts as scientists and conservationists we can make big strides in the conservation of our planet,” Badru Mugerwa, President of the SCBA

The 31st ICCB conference provides a platform for sharing latest science and insights in biodiversity conservations with topics in genetics, ecology, biogeography, anthropology, history, psychology, economics, conservation marketing, and religion.

ABCG will present findings on a study titled, ‘Assessing Community Responses to Climate Change and Impacts on Biodiversity: A 3-year study in sub-Saharan Africa’. The study highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between climate change coping strategies and their potential impact on biodiversity, providing valuable insights for developing nature-based actions to improve the resilience of people and nature to climate change.

The consortium will also share their progress in engaging stakeholders to develop and mainstream land use planning in Africa towards climate-smart sustainable development.

{{About ABCG}}

ABCG is a coalition of seven international conservation non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with field-based programming in sub-Saharan Africa: African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Conservation International (CI), the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Resources Institute (WRI), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

{{About SCBA}}

The Society for Conservation Biology is global community of conservation professionals, students and non-profits dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving biodiversity.