Alerte-GRN-Environnement

28/06/2026

Climate justice means those most responsible for the climate crisis must do more to address it.

Climate finance, when sufficient and invested in the right ways, can be a powerful path to climate justice.

How can it happen?

United Nations explains: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/climate-finance

28/06/2026

Did you know cutting-edge biodiversity monitoring starts with Indigenous knowledge?

In Tanzania and Namibia, Hadzabe and Juǀ’hoansi San communities are combining generations of wildlife tracking knowledge with digital tools like the CyberTracker app: an icon-based system that allows users to record wildlife and environmental data without needing to read or write.

This UNESCO-supported training shows how Indigenous knowledge, languages and technology can work together to monitor ecosystems, protect biodiversity and respond to climate change.

Read the full story: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unescos-tracker-training-helps-safeguard-indigenous-knowledge

28/06/2026

In Geneva next week?

Join us for the Ciné-ONU 🎦 screening of "Lost Land" at Cinérama Empire on 18 June at 6:30 pm!

The screening is organised in connection with the World Refugee Day and will be followed by a discussion on the theme: "The right to seek safety – a shared protection for us all."

Free entry 🎟 - first come, first served.

European Union at the UN – Geneva
Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN in Geneva
CAGI - International Geneva Welcome Centre

17/06/2026

Harvesting Water from Fog: A Sustainable Solution for Water Scarcity

Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges facing many regions of the world today, especially arid and semi-arid areas.
An innovative and environmentally friendly solution to this problem is fog harvesting—a technique that captures water directly from the atmosphere using simple, low-energy systems.
The image above illustrates how a fog collection system works and how it can provide clean water for drinking and agriculture.

How Fog Harvesting Works
Fog contains tiny droplets of water suspended in the air.
When this moist air passes through a fog collection net, the droplets collide with the mesh and condense into larger drops.
Gravity then causes the water to drip down into a collection trough positioned beneath the net.
From the trough, the collected water flows through pipes into a filtration system.
This step is essential to remove dust, insects, and other contaminants, ensuring the water is safe for use.
After filtration, the water is stored in a storage tank, where it can be accessed when needed.

Uses of Collected Fog Water
The system shown in the image demonstrates two main uses:
Drinking water: A controlled outlet or tap allows people to safely collect potable water for daily consumption.
Crop irrigation: Excess water can be directed to irrigate crops, supporting local agriculture and food security, especially in regions with little rainfall.

Advantages of Fog Collection Systems
Fog harvesting offers several important benefits:
Sustainable and renewable: It relies entirely on natural fog, requiring no fuel or electricity.
Low cost: The materials used—nets, pipes, and tanks—are relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain.
Environmentally friendly: The system produces no pollution and has minimal impact on surrounding ecosystems.
Scalable: It can be used for small villages or expanded into large networks of fog nets.

Where Fog Harvesting Is Most Effective
Fog collection systems work best in coastal, mountainous, or high-altitude regions where fog is frequent, such as parts of North Africa, South America, and the Middle East.
In these areas, fog harvesting can significantly improve access to clean water and enhance resilience against climate change.

Conclusion
Fog harvesting is a powerful example of how simple technology and natural processes can be combined to address global water challenges.
By capturing water from the air, communities can secure reliable drinking water, support agriculture, and move toward a more sustainable future.
The system shown in the image highlights how innovation does not always require complexity—sometimes, the solution is already in the air.

17/06/2026

Healthy land stores water, supports biodiversity and underpins food security. But as droughts become more frequent and severe in many parts of the world, pressure on both ecosystems and communities is increasing.

On the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, UNESCO highlights the importance of science and international cooperation in helping countries better understand, monitor and manage their water resources. Through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, UNESCO supports efforts to address drought and water scarcity through knowledge, data and shared expertise.

Read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/desertification-drought-combat

17/06/2026

🌍 UNOPS Climate Adaptation Grants for Belize 2026 – Funding Available for Community-Led Resilience Projects! 💰🌱

The Communities Climate Adaptation Facility (CCAF) for Belize 2026, launched by UNOPS and the Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM), is now accepting applications from organizations working to strengthen climate resilience and support vulnerable communities.

This funding opportunity will support projects focused on climate adaptation, environmental protection, livelihoods, water and sanitation, housing, health, community integration, and ecosystem restoration across Belize.

🎯 Benefits
✅ Funding for community-based climate adaptation projects
✅ Support for vulnerable and climate-affected populations
✅ Opportunities to strengthen local economies and livelihoods
✅ Ecosystem restoration and environmental sustainability initiatives
✅ Support for women-led, Indigenous-led, disability-inclusive, and marginalized community projects
✅ Enhanced climate resilience and community integration outcomes

📅 Deadline
26 June 2026 (23:00 GMT -5)

🔗 Apply Here
https://wp.me/p23f03-ejf

💡 Pro Tip
Projects that demonstrate strong community ownership, measurable climate adaptation outcomes, gender-responsive approaches, and support for marginalized populations are likely to stand out during the review process.

🌎 Hashtags

17/06/2026

Rangelands cover more than half the Earth's land surface — yet up to half are degraded or at risk.

On , we recognise the critical role rangelands play in climate resilience, food security, and the livelihoods of 2 billion people worldwide.

In the Sahel — where temperatures are rising 1.5x faster than the global average — GCF projects support the Great Green Wall countries' goal to restore 100 million hectares of degraded landscapes, combat desertification, and build climate resilience.

With over $3.8 billion in GCF financing invested in the Great Green Wall region, we're helping vulnerable communities transition to climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and renewable energy access.

Recognise. Respect. Restore. 🌍 More about our work on the Great Green Wall in the comments section. 👇🏽

Rangelands cover more than half the Earth's land surface — yet up to half are degraded or at risk.

On , we recognise the critical role rangelands play in climate resilience, food security, and the livelihoods of 2 billion people worldwide.

In the Sahel — where temperatures are rising 1.5x faster than the global average — GCF projects support the Great Green Wall countries' goal to restore 100 million hectares of degraded landscapes, combat desertification, and build climate resilience.

With over $1.8 billion in GCF financing invested in the Great Green Wall region, we're helping vulnerable communities transition to climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and renewable energy access.

Recognise. Respect. Restore. 🌍 More about our work on the Great Green Wall in the comments section. 👇🏽

17/06/2026

Chaque seconde, l'équivalent de quatre terrains de football de terres saines est dégradé, soit 100 millions d'hectares chaque année.

La sécheresse compte par ailleurs parmi les catastrophes naturelles les plus dévastatrices et pourrait toucher les trois quarts de la population mondiale d'ici 2050.

Mais il n'est pas trop t**d pour agir.

La Journée mondiale de lutte contre la désertification et la sécheresse, célébrée mercredi, souligne l'urgence d'une ambitieuse et concrète pour protéger et restaurer les terres, au bénéfice des générations présentes et futures.

18/04/2026

18/04/2026

Smart Water Security: How an Underground Rainwater Harvesting System Works

This illustration presents a complete underground rainwater harvesting system, designed for efficient collection, filtration, storage, and manual access to rainwater.
It reflects a resilient, low-tech approach to water management that works even without electricity—ideal for homesteads, rural homes, and sustainable properties.

1. Capturing Rain at the Source
Rainwater begins its journey on the roof, where gravity directs it into gutters and downspouts. The arrows shown emphasize controlled flow, ensuring water moves efficiently toward the collection system rather than dispersing around the foundation.
This stage maximizes capture while protecting the structure from erosion and moisture damage.

2. First-Flush Protection (Keeping Water Clean)
Before clean water is stored, the system uses a screened inlet and foul-flush reservoir (also called a first-flush system). This component:
Captures the first runoff from the roof
Traps leaves, dust, bird droppings, and debris
Diverts contaminated water away from storage
A drain tap allows dirty water to exit into gravel, preventing it from entering the main tank.
This step dramatically improves stored water quality with minimal maintenance.

3. Filtration and Controlled Transfer
After the initial flush, cleaner rainwater travels through a filtered water pipe into the main reservoir. By separating debris removal from storage, the system reduces sediment buildup and extends the life of the tank.

4. Underground Concrete Storage Reservoir
The heart of the system is a sealed concrete underground tank.
Underground storage provides major advantages:
Stable, cool water temperature
Protection from sunlight (reduces algae growth)
No loss of yard space
Long-term structural durability
The tank stores rainwater safely for later use, even during dry periods.

5. Manual Hand Pump Access
A manual hand pump allows water to be drawn directly from the reservoir without electricity. This makes the system:
Reliable during power outages
Ideal for emergency preparedness
Suitable for off-grid or low-energy living
Water can be used for irrigation, livestock, cleaning, or non-potable household needs.

6. Overflow Management
When the tank reaches capacity, excess water exits through an overflow outlet, directing it safely away from the structure—often toward gravel beds, swales, or garden areas.
This prevents pressure buildup and foundation damage.

Why This System Matters
This design combines modern understanding with traditional resilience.
It reduces dependence on municipal water, lowers runoff, and turns rainfall into a reliable resource.
Because most components are passive, the system requires little maintenance and lasts for decades.

Conclusion
This underground rainwater harvesting system demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can turn a simple roof into a dependable water source.
By filtering early, storing securely, and accessing water manually, the system offers sustainability, independence, and peace of mind—all while working quietly beneath the surface.