What makes a climate story go viral? Why are stories so important for making sense of the climate crisis How can the media convey the urgency without breeding despair? Lis and Marcus sit down with The New York Times’ adaptation reporter Christopher Flavelle to explore these questions. Plus, the filmmaker and explorer Malaika Vaz shares what it’s like to capture victims of the climate crisis and tell their story to a global audience. Find out more: Christopher Flavelle : https://www.nytimes.com/by/christopher-flavelle Untamed Planet : https://untamedplanet.in Climate Solutions Series : https ..read more

Lis and Marcus look at the growing threat of extreme heat. What does it feel like to live in a city that regularly hits 50°C? How do we adapt when our traditional air-conditioning systems pump out even more planet-heating gases? We explore some bold insights with Professor Toby Peters, a global expert in sustainable cooling, and Shahzad Qureshi, the visionary behind the Urban Forest movement in Pakistan. Find out more: Cool Coalition : https://coolcoalition.org UN Secretary General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat : https://www.unep.org/resources/report/un-secretary-generals-call-action-extrem ..read more

Gabriel Paun, a Romanian environmental defender honoured in the Inspiration and Action category, is the founder of NGO Agent Green, which has been helping save thousands of hectares of precious biodiversity in the Carpathians since 2009 by exposing the destruction and illegal logging of Europe’s last old growth forest. Paun has received death threats and been physically attacked for his work in documenting deforestation in an area that is vital for the ecosystem and supports unique biodiversity such as lynx and wolves. Find out more at: https://www.unep.org/championsofearth ..read more

SEKEM, a sustainable agriculture initiative honoured in the Entrepreneurial Vision category, will help more than 40,000 farmers in Egypt transition to more sustainable agriculture by 2025. Its promotion of biodynamic agriculture plus afforestation and reforestation work has been transforming large swathes of desert into thriving agricultural business, advancing sustainable development across the country. Find out more at: https://www.unep.org/championsofearth ..read more

Lu Qi, a Chinese scientist honoured in the Science and Innovation category, has worked in science and policy sectors for three decades helping China reverse degradation and shrink its deserts. As Chief Scientist of the Chinese Academy of Forestry and founding President of the Institute of Great Green Wall, Lu has played a key role in implementing the world’s largest afforestation project, establishing expert research networks and partnerships, and boosting multilateral cooperation to stem desertification, land degradation and drought. Find out more at: https://www.unep.org/championsofearth ..read more

Sonia Guajajara, Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples honoured in the Policy Leadership category, has been advocating for Indigenous rights for more than two decades. Guajajara became Brazil’s first Minister of Indigenous Peoples and the country’s first female Indigenous minister in 2023. Under her leadership, 10 territories have been recognized as Indigenous land to ward off deforestation, illegal logging, and drug traffickers. Find out more at: https://www.unep.org/championsofearth ..read more

Amy Bowers Cordalis, an Indigenous rights advocate honoured in the Inspiration and Action category, is using her legal expertise and passion for restoration to secure a better future for the Yurok tribe and the Klamath River in the United States. Cordalis’ work to restore the river ecosystem and encourage the adoption of sustainable fishing practices demonstrate how bold environmental action can bring significant positive change, while upholding Indigenous Peoples’ rights and livelihoods. Find out more at: https://www.unep.org/championsofearth ..read more

Madhav Gadgil, an Indian ecologist honoured in the Lifetime Achievement category, has spent decades protecting people and the planet through research and community engagement. From landmark environmental impact assessments of state and national policies to grassroots environmental engagement, Gadgil’s work has greatly influenced public opinion and official policies on the protection of natural resources. He is renowned for his seminal work in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats region of India, which is a unique global biodiversity hotspot. Find out more at:https://www.unep.org/championsofe ..read more

The Champions of the Earth award honours individuals and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. In 2024, UNEP honours six outstanding individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to restore land, enhance drought resilience, and combat desertification. Find out more at: https://www.unep.org/championsofearth ..read more

The Champions of the Earth award honours individuals and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. In 2024, UNEP honours individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to restore land, enhance drought resilience, and halt desertification. Stay tuned as the 2024 laureates are announced on 10 December 2024. For more information, visit: https://www.unep.org/championsofearth/ For media, please contact: unep-newsdesk@un.org ..read more