International
Climate Initiative (IKI)

The Caucasus is home to all kinds of landscapes - glaciers, forests, deserts, steppes. More than 7,000 species live between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. But the region's wild heritage is increasingly under threat. Georgia's forests are desperately in need of reforestation.

It's the small island-nations in the Pacific Ocean that suffer most from climate change: On the Marshall Islands, on Palau and other Micronesian islands, people are faced with steadily rising sea levels. Coasts are eroding and drinking water is becoming scarce. But the world is barely aware of the problem.

Vietnam's coastal mangrove forests are suffering from climate change. What's more, intensive rice production and enormous shrimp farms are also damaging coast lines. Better management of mangrove forests could help.

Tanzania's forests need protection. Each year wooded areas in the eastern African nation shrink by 400,000 hectares due to deforestation and wildfires. The country isn't just losing an important carbon sink, its flora and fauna are drastically reduced as well.

Valley View University in the Ghanaian capital Accra has committed itself to sustainability. Power is generated from rooftop solar panels, rain water is collected and processed, and kitchen waste is converted to energy at the on-campus biogas plant.

The Bikin River Valley, home to Russia’s last remaining virgin coniferous forests, is under threat. With the help of the local population, efforts are underway to preserve the green cover. The Bikin River Valley in Far Eastern Russia is home to several endangered species.

The inhabitants of Heroes der Tecamac in Mexico City are taking action to protect the climate. To heat their water they don't use natural gas, instead they turn to solar energy. 60,000 houses are located in this blue-collar settlement.

The people on the Philippine island of Negros are taking action against climate change. But for them it's not only about measures to save the climate. Adapting to the impact of climate change is just as important. For example through the reforestation of mangroves.

Indonesia's rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate. In southern Sumatra environmentalists are trying to save 24,000 hectares of peatland forests. These are particularly important because their soil stores vast amounts of carbon dioxide.

The stinking lagoons behind the small palm oil mill near Krabi pose a major threat to the climate. They release methane, a highly toxic greenhouse gas which contaminates the ground water in the area and pollutes the air.