Articles Written by Julia Riopelle

UN Member states reach agreement on historic High Seas Treaty

Environment | Oceans, March 13th, 2023

After decades of discussion and days of negotiation, over 100 UN member states have come to a ground-breaking multilateral agreement to protect 30% of international waters by 2030.

Carbon offsetting: a just solution or a displacement of responsibility?

Environment | Forests, January 20th, 2023

Carbon offsetting schemes offer a very attractive economic ‘solution’ to climate change. They do not require a change of consumer behavior in the Global North, instead justifying its approach by highlighting the prospect of sustainable development in the Global South.

Are carbon offsetting schemes scientifically valid in combating climate change?

Environment | Forests, January 15th, 2023

Climate change is a multifaceted issue; a complex combination between environmental, political, economic and social concerns. Whilst we have reached a global consensus that it must be addressed, agreeing on a common course of action has so far proved to be unfruitful.

Natural Capital: how commodifying nature changes our understanding of it

Sustainable Leaders | Global, May 25th, 2022

As we head towards a 2.4°C warmer climate, policymakers and conservationists continue to pioneer methods to try to protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change. One of these methods, promoted by the Natural Capital Project and the United Nations, is commodifying nature in order to save it.

How is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affecting the Nord Stream 2 pipelines’ grip on Europe?

Sustainable Leaders | Europe, March 21st, 2022

On February 22nd, 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made the decision to halt the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This decision adds to the questions surrounding the future of European energy security and whether Russia’s war on Ukraine has evoked a turning point in Europe’s dependency on Russian energy.

Icefish breeding colony discovered in the Weddell Sea

Environment | Tundras and Poles, March 7th, 2022

A vast breeding colony of Jonah’s icefish, Neopagetopsis ionah, has been discovered in the southern Weddell Sea, Antarctica. The surprising discovery now prompts more questions about the behaviour of these unique icefish, the associations between Antarctic benthic communities and calls for support to establish a marine protected area.

Agriculture is decreasing carbon stocks in the Ecuadorian páramo

Environment | Mountains, January 24th, 2022

The Andean Páramo has a uniquely high soil carbon storage potential, which contributes to the water retention and hydraulic conductivity that are central to providing fresh water to its surrounding communities. However, studies are suggesting that the impact of expanding agriculture is steadily depleting the soil from its carbon levels.

Scientific Insights: a brief guide to how marine biologists measure biodiversity in inshore reef environments

Environment | Oceans, December 26th, 2021

Inshore reef environments (IREs) are the first affected by plastic and chemical pollutants, which enter oceans via industrial development, shipping waste, and river runoff. Thus, the monitoring of biodiversity along coastlines is vital to measure and understand the health of these keystone ecosystems.

Environmental Eviction: the 50 year plight of the Batwa people

People | Communities, November 22nd, 2021

In 1970, Kahuzi-Biega National Park was established by foreign Belgian conservationist, Adrien Deschryver, for the purpose of upholding one of the last refuges of the threatened Eastern lowland gorilla. Simultaneously, the expansion of the park from 60,000 to 600,000 hectares caused the violent eviction of 6,000 Batwa from their indigenous lands.

Inuit and Inuvialuit communities’ livelihoods and cultures threatened by the rapid retreat of shore-fast sea ice

People | Communities, October 21, 2021

A study has found that shore-fast ice, which consists of 12% of global sea ice cover, is under serious threat due to climate change. Along with their rapid retreat, polar regions are experiencing melting glaciers and ice sheets, permafrost thawing and hydrologic cycle intensification.

Increasing drought events are drying up grasslands and croplands in the northern hemisphere

Environment | Grasslands, October 7th, 2021

Global databases have found trends indicating that the increased prevalence and intensity of droughts are reducing the net gross primary productivity of northern mid-latitude grassland ecosystems.

What will environmental conservation look like under Taliban rule?

Sustainable Leaders | Asia, September 25th, 2021

‘Plant one or several fruit or non-fruit trees for the beautification of earth and the benefit of almighty Allah's creations.’

Unspoken victims of warfare: the destructive impacts of armed conflict on local biodiversity

Environment | Forests, September 6th, 2021

In the last 50 years, over 80% of human conflicts have overlapped with a biodiversity hotspot, despite these areas only taking up 3% of the Earth’s land surface. Currently, 64 of 195 countries that have biodiversity hotspots, have been listed as areas of priority for conservation efforts.

Northern Borneo’s mangrove forests are disappearing, along with our blue carbon stocks

Environment | Forests, August 30th, 2021

An island where palm oil plantations cover land as far as the eye can see, Borneo’s tropical rainforests are not the only forests under threat of deforestation. Between 2000 and 2015, 25,500 hectares of mangrove forests have disappeared.

Why intensive livestock farming has no place in a greener future

Sustainable Leaders | Global, August 27th, 2021

Livestock husbandry is amongst the largest growing subsectors of the agricultural industry. This is particularly evident in developing countries, where the increase for the demand of livestock products is closely linked to rapid population growth, income growth and infrastructural development.

How Canberra is keeping cool within a sea of wildfires

Sustainable Leaders | Canberra, Australia, August 20th, 2021

Australia’s capital, Canberra, is regarded as one of the world’s leading sustainable cities. Whilst 88.9% of Canberra’s public transport is run on green energy, the capital is striving for a zero-emission transport fleet by 2040.

The coasts of Bangladesh are moving inland, along with its people

People | Communities, August 15th, 2021

Southern Bangladesh is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, receiving large amounts of freshwater and nutrient discharge from the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers. However, these lands and those livelihoods which depend on them, will soon be standing underwater.

How melting ice sheets in Greenland may transform the malaria epidemic across Africa

People | Human Health, August 4th, 2021

A new study predicts that melting glaciers in the North Atlantic will cause a shift in malaria prevalence and transmission across the African continent. The length of disease transmission is expected to decrease across West Africa, where malaria is currently most prevalent, and will begin affecting the malaria-free zones of the East African highlands.

Southeast Asia’s mountains are losing their tropical forests to make room for agricultural expansion

Environment | Mountains, August 1st, 2021

Satellite datasets have determined that between 2001 to 2019, around 61 million hectares of tropical forests have been lost in the mountains of Southeast Asia.

Mammal and bird communities are collapsing in the Mojave Desert

Environment | Deserts, July 17th, 2021

Evolution has given desert animals time to equip themselves with strategies to bear—even thrive—the temperatures of the barren lands. Although, previously, desert communities had thousands of years to adapt to their environment. Now with the rate of our current warming climate, even these heat-specialists cannot keep up.

The inspiring transforming of Medellín: from murder capital to sustainable leader

Sustainable Leaders | South America, July 13th, 2021

Medellín, Colombia’s second most populous city, is considered a leading example in terms of its environmental policies and sustainable initiatives. Whilst there are other green cities around the globe, the transformation of Medellín is truly remarkable; considering just a few years ago it was a stronghold for Pablo Escobar’s drug crimes and deemed the ‘murder capital of the world’.

The Namibia bio-trade initiative increases the value of biodiversity-derived products

Sustainable Leaders | Ondangwa, Namibia, July 12th, 2021

Under the guidance of the BioTrade Initiative, the Eudafano Women’s Cooperative, a community organization in Namibia, has provided a secure economic income for 2500 women and their indigenous communities.

How effective is Bath’s Clean Air Zone strategy?

Sustainable Leaders | Bath, England, July 3rd, 2021

Since March 15th 2021, Bath, United Kingdom, has begun to fine highly polluting vehicles driving within their ‘Clean Air Zone’ in an effort to bring the city’s atmospheric nitrogen dioxide levels below the legal limit.

Zoonoviruses: you may be buying more at the market than you bargained for

People | Human Health, June 28th, 2021

Survey-based data collection has suggested that negative public perception towards wildlife trade, exotic wildlife consumption and bats has significantly increased. 46% of participants believe that disease transmission due to close contact between humans and exotic wildlife will continue to cause future pandemics.

Sulu Sulawesi: a seascape approach to funding a blue economy.

Environment | Oceans, June 22nd 2021

Currently 5% of our oceans are actively protected, by 2030 Conservation International hopes that 30% of marine areas will be under protection. The establishment of seascapes may just help shift current marine economies into sustainable ‘blue’ economies.

Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet: much more than just rising sea levels.

Environment | Tundra and Poles, June 16th 2021

An international collaborative study found that mercury levels in Greenland glacial meltwater compare to levels measured in industrial China.

Enbridge ignores Michigan’s shutdown deadline and continues to transport propane across Line 5.

Sustainable Leaders | North America, June 2nd 2021

In November 2020, Governor Whitmer of Michigan ordered Enbridge to shut down their operations of the Line 5 pipelines by May 12th 2021. Now in June 2021, Enbridge has defied the order and continues to transport 23 million gallons of oil daily across the Straits of Mackinac.

The Bolsonaro Administration is not taking enough action to conserve Earth’s shrinking lungs.

Environment | Forests, May 12th 2021

The Amazonian rainforest is vital to mitigating the impacts of climate change. However, findings suggest that, due to ongoing human disturbances, deforested areas of the world’s largest rainforest are not recovering at a fast-enough rate.

Gabon and Kenya call for international support in the fight against human-elephant conflict.

Environment | Grasslands, May 8th 2021

Two countries, opposite coasts, both calling for international aid in mitigating the never-ending clashes between wild elephants and rural communities.

A status report on the critically endangered Māui dolphin.

Environment | Oceans, March 18th 2021

Two of the world’s smallest dolphins have been listed as endangered and critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The populations of Hector’s and Māui dolphins are dwindling, with only around 10,000 Hector’s and a mere 63 Māui dolphins, respectively.

Should wolves be protected on Swiss soil? A referendum that divides a neutral country.

Environment | Forests, March 1st 2021

On the 27th of November 2020, 51.9 per cent of Swiss voters voted ‘No’ in a referendum revising the Swiss Hunting Act of 1986. In Switzerland, wolves will continue to be a nationally protected species.

UN Member states reach agreement on historic High Seas Treaty

Environment | Oceans

Carbon offsetting: a just solution or a displacement of responsibility?

Environment | Forests

Are carbon offsetting schemes scientifically valid in combating climate change?

Environment | Forests

Natural Capital: how commodifying nature changes our understanding of it

Sustainable Leaders | Global

How is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affecting the Nord Stream 2 pipelines’ grip on Europe?

Sustainable Leaders | Europe

Icefish breeding colony discovered in the Weddell Sea

Environment | Tundras and Poles

Agriculture is decreasing carbon stocks in the Ecuadorian páramo

Environment | Mountains

Scientific Insights: a brief guide to how marine biologists measure biodiversity in inshore reef environments

Environment | Oceans

Environmental Eviction: the 50 year plight of the Batwa people

People | Communities

Inuit and Inuvialuit communities' livelihoods and cultures threatened by the rapid retreat of shore-fast sea ice

People | Communities

Increasing drought events are drying up grasslands and croplands in the northern hemisphere

Environment | Grasslands

What will environmental conservation look like under Taliban rule?

Sustainable Leaders | Asia

Unspoken victims of warfare: the destructive impacts of armed conflict on local biodiversity

Environment | Forests

Northern Borneo’s mangrove forests are disappearing, along with our blue carbon stocks

Environment | Forests

Why intensive livestock farming has no place in a greener future

Sustainable Leaders | Global

How Canberra is keeping cool within a sea of wildfires

Sustainable Leaders | Canberra, Australia

The coasts of Bangladesh are moving inland, along with its people

People | Communities

How melting ice sheets in Greenland may transform the malaria epidemic across Africa

People | Human Health

Southeast Asia’s mountains are losing their tropical forests to make room for agricultural expansion

Environment | Mountains

Mammal and bird communities are collapsing in the Mojave Desert

Environment | Deserts

The inspiring transforming of Medellín: from murder capital to sustainable leader

Sustainable Leaders | Medellín, Colombia

The Namibia bio-trade initiative increases the value of biodiversity-derived products

Sustainable Leaders | Ondangwa, Namibia

How effective is Bath’s Clean Air Zone strategy?

Sustainable Leaders | Bath

Zoonoviruses: you may be buying more at the market than you bargained for

People | Human Health

Sulu Sulawesi: a seascape approach to funding a blue economy

Environment | Oceans

Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet: much more than just rising sea levels.

Environment | Tundras and Poles

Enbridge ignores Michigan’s shutdown deadline and continues to transport propane across Line 5.

Sustainable Leaders | North America

The Bolsonaro Administration is not taking enough action to conserve Earth’s shrinking lungs.

Environment | Forests

Gabon and Kenya call for international support in the fight against human-elephant conflict.

Environment | Grasslands

A status report on the critically endangered Māui dolphin

Environment | Oceans

Should wolves be protected on Swiss soil? A referendum that divides a neutral country.

Environment | Forests

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