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After the fire: Murals of hope in Paradise

Last November, the Californian Camp Fire killed 86 people — the deadliest wildfire in the state's history.  

Video shorts
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Growing Cocoa: a bittersweet story

Cocoa is Ghana's main cash crop, but the trees are sick.  

More videos

Ghana Kakaoanbau in der Krise (DW/Gerlind Vollmer)

Growing Cocoa: a bittersweet story

Der Rio Magdalena - Kolumbien (DW/Juan Zacarías)

Colombia: Surviving on the Rio Magdalena

Peru: Plant your Future

Zimbabwe: Protection for the African wild dog

Indonesia: The sinking capital

Green pumps for Jordan's water

Brazil: Bringing light to the Kalunga

Initiatives for saving food in South Africa

Green Technology
Photo: A close-up of trees in the jungle (Source: DW)

Forest SOS

Forests are essential for life on earth. Yet they are being destroyed at an alarming rate.  

Environmental issues in images
  • Patches of ground surrounded by water

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    A unique wetland

    It might look like a lake from above but it is actually a cienaga, a hillscape with fields and forests that transforms into a wetland when the river bursts over its banks. This area is a unique habitat and home to many diverse species. In Colombia alone there are around 1900 cienaga. The biggest of them, the Zapatosa, is under threat.

  • Palm oil plantation

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    Palm oil production squeezes natural resources

    There are many reasons driving this threat. The forest is being cleared to make space for fields and palm oil production, which guzzles water resources and disturbs the natural balance of the environment. There are increasingly regular droughts, which destroy the trees that provide shade to the river bank.

  • Dense foliage along a river bank

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    Toxic newcomer: the water hyacinth

    More invasive plants, like the water hyacinth, thrive in these conditions. The plant spreads quickly and prevents light reaching plants beneath, resulting in those in the water dying and fish unable to find enough food. The thick green coverage of plants slows down the flow of water, causing silt to gather on the banks.

  • Horses eating plants in the water (DW/Juan Zacharás)

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    Refined taste

    There is a good reason why the horses stand in the water like this. Aside from cows, they are the only animal able to stomach the toxins in the water hyacinth.

  • Local fishermen and animals in the water (DW/Juan Zacharás)

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    A local source of life

    The people living in this area often fish in the river without interference from any big fishing companies. They’ve introduced special measures in order to maintain the levels of fish: nets are big enough to allow smaller fish to slip away, and protected areas have also been created.

  • Reforestation in Columbia (DW/Juan Zacharás)

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    Keeping the trees alive

    Reforestation is also an important part of protecting the environment here. Seeds have been collected in the region and planted in tree nurseries by locals.

  • Bäume stehen im Uferwasser und spenden Schatten (DW/Juan Zacharás)

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    Life in the shade

    Trees like these offer fish shade and food by the river bank. Animals also benefit from eating the fruit that falls into the water. A steady food source results in lots of offspring, which in turn means a good catch for the fishermen. Through the care of newly planted trees the locals are taking control of their futures.

  • People grow food in their back gardens (DW/Juan Zacharás)

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    The thriving back garden farms

    Locals are also growing food in "family gardens" to prepare themselves to survive the dry periods. Many of the houses already have a little piece of land which previously lay uncultivated. Today they are full of fruit trees, vegetables and herbs.

  • Locals also keep food like this bird (DW/Juan Zacharás)

    Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

    Curious creatures

    Some locals also keep animals to provide them with meat and eggs. The neighbors organize among themselves who grows what to ensure a good diversity of food and so they can later trade with each other.


Climate change hits the Bavarian Alps

In prison for a pebble

Inside an attempt to live without plastic packaging

Human impact
A lion suns himself in Antelope Park, Zimbabwe (Yvonne Gordon)

Keeping the king alive?

In Zimbabwe, some conservationists are breeding lions. But will that really ensure their survival?  

Conservation
African wild dogs in Zimbabwe - DW/Jürgen Schneider

A lifeline for African wild dogs

African wild dogs are disappearing from the continent's grasslands — can they be saved?  

Animated explainers
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02:44 mins.

Could soil save our climate?

Soil is second only to the ocean in its ability to store CO2, but large storage areas have been lost due to land misuse.  

More videos

Could soil save our climate?

Superfood DW (DW)

Is 'superfood' really all that super?

Is climate change making us ill?

Global 3000 - Infofilm Stadt (DW)

Video explainer: Green cities, better climate

Jaenschwalde Braunkohlekraftwerk Symbolbild CO2 (dapd/O. Lang)

Can CO2 be stored?

Why do oceans turn acidic?

How climate-damaging is a climate summit?

Was ist Wald? ( DW)

What is a forest and what is it for?

Learning packs
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Global Ideas

In Focus Learning with Global Ideas

Are you looking for engaging ways to explain complex environmental issues to high school children? Global Ideas learning packs are full of ideas and guidance.  

Interactive specials
Soldiers and conservationists stand together in the field

War and conservation

The CAR is synonymous with violence and war, but people are still fighting for nature. A look inside a torn land.  

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Join our Global Ideas community

Belgien demonstration against climate change (Reuters/F. Walschaerts)

Get involved and keep up to date with the latest Global Ideas stories on our social media platforms. 

Biodiversity
A pomegranate on a tree

Protecting Italy's farming traditions

Italian farmers are going organic in a bid to save the country's vibrant food heritage.  

My favorite
Watch video 01:56
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01:56 mins.

The steppe

Like the ocean, the steppe seems endless and sometimes empty. But it's surprisingly full of life.  

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Kasachische Steppe (DW)

The steppe

Afrika Pinguin Brillenpinguin (picture-alliance/dpa/M. Woike)

My favorite: The African penguin

My favorite: The polo pony

Flamingo Deutschland Bayern Chiemsee (Imago)

My favorite: The flamingo

globalideas Teaser – Saiga1_ohne Logo (Axel Warnstedt)

My favorite: The saiga antelope

My favorite: The howler monkey

25.05.2016 DW GLO Favorit Didos (DW)

My favorite: The didos

My favorite: The potato

Special: Into the forest
Photo: Lush green forest (Source: DW/T. Walker)

Learning to love the forest

When you live in Germany, you may as well cultivate a love of the forest.  

Global Ideas explainer

At Global Ideas, we focus on "best practice" climate and biodiversity protection projects that offer solutions and inspire others to take action. Each week, an international team of television and online reporters produce films and features that offer an insight into how developing and emerging countries are dealing with the impacts of climate change. Global Ideas is supported by the German environment ministry within the framework of its International Climate Initiative. 

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