The largest glacial cave system in the contiguous United States is melting at an alarming rate. The complex system has been studied by cavers and glaciologists since the caves were first discovered in 2011 in mountains near Portland, Oregon. But scientists may be running out of time, as the warming climate means the glaciers could be completely gone in a few years.

Exploring caves under Oregon glaciers

In Nigeria’s oil producing Niger Delta, women are the breadwinners in many homes, doing traditional jobs like farming and fishing, while men often head to cities to work. After decades of oil pollution, women especially have suffered the consequences of serious pollution, and the health problems associated with it. But they are now leading the movement to change that.

Women protest Niger Delta oil pollution

In parts of the Caribbean, it is not unusual for faucets to run dry — the region is facing drought linked to climate change. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that means many people lack the water they need to wash their hands. Aging infrastructure that wastes this precious resource is among the main problems. But locals in Trinidad are seeking solutions.

Caribbean islands battle water shortages

In much of the world, clean water is taken for granted. But in parts of the Global South, drought and flooding connected to climate change are making water scarce. And that is hitting kids the hardest. DW reporter Jennifer Collins chats about a Global Ideas project that investigated the impacts of water inequality on the health of children in South Africa and India.

What's water worth?

Despite its location straddling the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, Chile is facing water scarcity, due in part to climate change-related drought. Water was privatized under the Pinochet dictatorship in the 1970s — limiting access for farming communities and city dwellers alike. In 2020, citizens voted to rewrite the constitution. And water is looming large in the debate.

Chilean citizens fight for water rights

In Italy, trees are under attack from a tiny, round, reddish-brown invader. The pine tortoise scale latches on to its victim, excretes copious amounts of sugary liquid and waits for black sooty mold to take over. The nonnative pest from the Americas first showed up here in 2014, and it's threatening to decimate Rome's 1 million umbrella pine trees. Angelo van Schaik tells us how they can be saved.

Fighting insect invaders in Rome

Forests capture and store about one of every four tons of carbon dioxide we spew out, slowing global warming. And though trees are increasingly likely to suffer from warmer temperatures and drought, there's hope: plants need carbon dioxide, and the ever-growing amount could help them. Reporter Dan Grossman, funded by the Pulitzer Center, followed researchers at an active volcano in Costa Rica.

Capturing carbon in Costa Rica

Over the past 40 years, around 1 million square kilometers of the rainforest have been destroyed across South America. Two famous Brazilians want to end deforestation and bring rainforests in their homeland back to life. Sebastiao Salgado, a well-known photographer and forest champion, and musician Gilberto Gil hope to plant 1 million trees a year. Sonya Diehn presents a report by Ivo Marusczyk.

Bringing back Brazil's rainforest

The Latur region of the western state of Maharashtra in India is notorious for water scarcity, and farmers there have faced drought for some time. But over recent years, they have been shifting cultivation methods to conserve water, turning toward nature-oriented farming to restore the land and rivers. And those efforts are making the communities more resilient to climate change impacts.

Rethinking farming in India

It's about the most underrated superfood out there: the humble legume. Loaded with nutrition, legumes — or beans — are barely eaten in some parts of the world, although some experts see legumes as the best option for sustainably ensuring food security. Plant scientist Chris Ojiewo in Nairobi spoke to DW about the Tropical Legumes Project, an initiative seeking to put beans on tables across Africa.

Beans — staple food of the future?

Short-format, original reports from the environment podcast Living Planet - released every Thursday by Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster. We bring you stories on eco problems and their solutions from around the world - visit dw.com/environment for more.

Nutritious and delicious, avocados have conquered palates across the globe. Business is booming — in the past 20 years, avocado production has tripled. But this is also causing a massive strain on resources in places where the water-intensive tropical fruit grows — in particular, Latin America. Is it possible to keep eating our treasured avocados with a clear conscience?

Avocados — a not-so-super food after all?

Protesters in London have just wrapped up a month-long action inside an illegally dug tunnel intended to stop construction of a new high-speed rail line. While trains have an eco-friendly repute, protesters say lost trees and construction emissions make the project a losing equation. Since the UK set its net-zero emissions goal two years back, the protest has put the topic back in the spotlight.

Climate activists call out London's new high-speed rail line

China is big on coal — it's the world's largest producer and consumer. Despite that, China is presenting itself as a leader in climate protection on the world stage, recently announcing plans to go carbon-neutral by 2060. It's massively invested in wind and solar power, and has finally launched an emissions trading scheme. But can China meet its ambitious promises?

Coal vs. carbon trading: Unpacking China's climate strategy

More than 70% of India's electricity comes from burning coal, and much of that is imported. Imported coal lands in Goa — a coastal state famous for its white sandy beaches and biodiversity. The government plans to transform the region into India's coal hub. But citizens are pushing back in a bid to prevent pollution and protect the state's glimmering green hills.

Goa, India's coal gateway?

The ways we get around are changing – and that's especially true in big cities. Vehicle and bike-sharing services are booming, making it easier to leave cars at home or forego car ownership altogether. Barcelona has the highest vehicle density of any city in Europe. But it's now breaking ground on a transport and urban planning initiative that will grow its innovative public spaces for residents.

Living on super islands

They’re Australia’s climate change refugees and they’re looking for somewhere to roost. But their smell and nocturnal shrieks have made them unpopular with locals. Scientists warn against trying to get rid of flying foxes, calling them the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ for what will happen to other species as temperatures rise. Their disappearance would spell disaster for forests and woodlands.

Fighting for Australia’s flying forest guardians

Experts estimate that we will produce more than 50 million tons of electronic waste globally by 2021 – and the precious metals this e-waste contains often aren't recycled properly. But a promising research project at the University of Cape Town in South Africa aims to change this.

Mining in the city

All of our food waste has to go somewhere. But how our trash is disposed of can actually have an impact on climate change. In the US's largest metropolis, there's a simple way New Yorkers can reduce their methane emissions, and maybe even spruce up their gardens in the process.

Composting for the climate

Philadelphia, one of the biggest, poorest and most violent cities in the US, is seeking to expand its green spaces by planting more trees. Besides combating sweltering temperatures in summer, there's evidence increased tree cover may also help bring down levels of gun violence.

Trees to the rescue in Philadelphia

How can our economies keep growing when we live on a planet with finite resources? The short answer, according to some, is they can't. Ecological economists say it's time to instead embrace "degrowth." But what does this mean, and how do we change? DW's Ruby Russell explains.

Rethinking growth

Short-format, original reports from the environment podcast Living Planet - released every Thursday by Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster. We bring you stories on eco problems and their solutions from around the world - visit <a href="http://dw.com/environment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dw.com/environment</a> for more.

Living Planet - reports | Deutsche Welle

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