In the giant fire that broke out in Marmaris in 2021 and spread to eight districts of Muğla, approximately 60 thousand hectares of forest area was damaged. 
In an article recently published in the science journal Nature, the global trend of decline in the number of amphibians due to threats to them is evaluated.  Accordingly, the biggest sources of risk for amphibians, which are divided into three groups: frogs, footless and salamanders, are habitat loss and climate crisis.
When "salamander" is searched in IUCN's "Red List", 26. 5 per cent of the 716 salamander species listed are categorised as "non-endangered" (LC), 9.1 per cent (65) as "near threatened" (NT), 15.6 per cent (112) as "vulnerable" (VU), 23.7 per cent (170) as "endangered" (EN), 17.9 per cent (128) as "highly endangered" (CR) and 0.4 per cent (0.4) as "extinct" (EX). There is insufficient data for 48 species, corresponding to 6.7 per cent of the animals. (DD)

In the giant fire that broke out in Marmaris in 2021 and spread to eight districts of Muğla, approximately 60 thousand hectares of forest area was dam

the-invisible-victims-of-the-marmaris-fires:-salamanders

The Invisible Victims of the Marmaris Fires: Salamanders

The Red List, prepared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which includes species threatened with extinction, was updated days before the end of 2023.

The number of species assessed in the list, which was 73,686 in 2014, increased to 157,190 and the number of endangered species, which was 22,103 in 2014, increased to 44,16.

According to the Red List, the big-toothed Lake Turkana robber (brycinus ferox), which lives in Lake Turkana in Africa, was included in the "vulnerable" category from the "least concern" category due to the degradation of habitats caused by climate change and overfishing.

The population of Atlantic salmon (salmo salar), whose development and feeding process is adversely affected by climate change, decreased by 23 per cent between 2006 and 2020, which led to its status on the Red List being moved from "least concern" to "imminent threat".

The Red List, prepared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which includes species threatened with extinction, was updated da

number-of-endangered-species-has-doubled-in-the-last-nine-years

Number of Endangered Species Has Doubled in the Last Nine Years

The city of Lahore in the eastern province of Punjab, near the Indian border, has one of the worst air quality in the world and is heavily polluted due to its population of over 13 million people.
By early December 2023, air quality in the city had deteriorated so badly that schools, markets and parks were closed for four days. Last weekend, the city's air quality index (AQI) reached levels considered extremely hazardous to health.
In an attempt to mitigate these problems, authorities in Punjab used cloud seeding on Saturday (16 December), using a small Cessna aircraft to bring rain to 10 locations in the city, the Guardian reported.

The city of Lahore in the eastern province of Punjab, near the Indian border, has one of the worst air quality in the world and is heavily polluted du

pakistan-uses-artificial-rain-to-reduce-pollution-levels

Pakistan Uses Artificial Rain to Reduce Pollution Levels

The European Union (EU) has announced a 22 per cent reduction in carbon emissions across the region from 2008 to 2022.
According to data from the European Statistical Office, this reduction was made possible in particular by the increased use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency improvements. However, experts emphasise that this reduction is not enough to achieve the EU's broader climate goals.
In 2022, greenhouse gas emissions from economic activity in the EU had reached 3.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. This represents a 22 per cent reduction compared to 2008. The EU reported that this reduction was achieved through innovative practices and technological developments, especially in energy production, transport and industrial activities.

The European Union (EU) has announced a 22 per cent reduction in carbon emissions across the region from 2008 to 2022.
According to data from the Euro

european-union-reduced-carbon-emissions-by-22-percent-in-14-years

European Union Reduced Carbon Emissions by 22 Percent in 14 Years

'Cardamine occulta Hornem', which is recognised as an invasive species in the world and a new record for the flora of Türkiye, has been identified.

Interviews with producers revealed that this species has been widely found in indoor banana production greenhouses in the Mediterranean Region for a long time, but banana producers can easily combat this plant species.
The samples collected for identification were sent to Prof. Necmi Aksoy, Curator of Düzce University Faculty of Forestry Herbarium (DUOF).
As a result of the identification studies, it was determined that the species in question was "Cardamine occulta Hornem" (Brassicaceae, Asian cress), which is native to the Asian continent and has not been previously recorded in the flora of Türkiye.

'Cardamine occulta Hornem', which is recognised as an invasive species in the world and a new record for the flora of Türkiye, has been identified.

I

a-new-invasive-plant-species-discovered-in-the-mediterranean

A New Invasive Plant Species Discovered in the Mediterranean

Brazilian lawmakers have passed a bill to build a motorway through the heart of the Amazon rainforest. There is concern that the project will encourage a wave of deforestation in the rainforest.
The lower house of the Brazilian Congress approved the bill late on Tuesday, which loosens environmental licences, but the Senate's approval is required for it to become law.
Scientists say the motorway would threaten the future of the world's largest tropical rainforest, Euronews reported.
The bill allows conservation funds donated to Brazil, such as the $1.3 billion Amazon Fund backed by the US and its European allies, to be used to finance the motorway project.
The motorway was first built in the 1970s by the military government seeking to populate the Amazon, but was soon abandoned.

Brazilian lawmakers have passed a bill to build a motorway through the heart of the Amazon rainforest. There is concern that the project will encourag

amazon:-motorway-project-could-trigger-deforestation

Amazon: Motorway Project Could Trigger Deforestation

Incidents of harassment, surveillance, threats and intimidation at United Nations (UN) events, including the recent COP28 climate conference in Dubai, said to have created an atmosphere of fear. Indigenous campaigners, human rights defenders and climate activists say they have been silenced for fear of reprisals.
Activists and campaigners say they are increasingly afraid to speak out on pressing issues for fear of reprisals from governments or fossil fuel industries.
"In the last few years, we have seen indigenous representatives being filmed by people associated with state institutions making human rights statements at UN events, or being photographed simply for being at a UN event," said Lola García-Alix, senior advisor on global governance for the International Indigenous Affairs Working Group.

Incidents of harassment, surveillance, threats and intimidation at United Nations (UN) events, including the recent COP28 climate conference in Dubai,

cop28:-videotaped-threatened-and-harassed

COP28: Videotaped, Threatened and Harassed

In recent years, bird populations have been experiencing an unprecedented decline. Over-exploitation, including illegal killing, capture and trade, is one of the major drivers of bird extinctions globally. It is a particularly serious threat facing migratory birds.
The illegal hunting, trapping and trade of birds threatens all birds, from songbirds to raptors. It is estimated that 25 million birds are illegally killed every year in Europe and the Mediterranean regions. State administrators, experts and non-governmental organisations came together in 2019 to prevent wildlife crimes on birds and other living creatures. In this context, a joint study was initiated to prevent the hunting, capture and trade of species and to eliminate wildlife crimes within 10 years.
The Rome Strategic Plan prepared within the scope of the study covers many topics between 2020-2030, including improving understanding of the scope, extent and causes of wildlife crimes, and ensuring that wildlife crimes are effectively and adequately addressed in national laws.

In recent years, bird populations have been experiencing an unprecedented decline. Over-exploitation, including illegal killing, capture and trade, is

rome-strategic-plan

Rome Strategic Plan

Assist. Prof. Dr. Feyza Güliz Şahinyazan from Simon Fraser University said that one of the most important outputs of COP28 in food and agriculture systems is the reporting of how much progress has been made in the Paris Agreement with the Declaration of National Contribution: "Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, countries have to make new commitments every five years. But it is not enough just to make these commitments, it is also necessary to document how much these commitments are kept. Since the next commitments will be made in 2025, for the first time at a COP, the situation of countries in the climate struggle will be evaluated this year."
Reminding that within the scope of the mentioned evaluation, it was accepted to include emissions from food and methods to reduce them in the agreement, but the EU did not participate in this, Şahinyazan said that although the European Parliament previously wanted to include food and agricultural systems in emission counts, it made contradictory statements by staying away from the issue with the approach that many people who work in this line of work would be harmed by this. Stating that it is a question mark whether the EU will add this to its commitments in 2025, the researcher underlined that from the perspective of adaptation; serious issues such as climate-resistant seeds and agricultural methods, alternative protein sources will start to come to the agenda in the coming period.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Feyza Güliz Şahinyazan from Simon Fraser University said that one of the most important outputs of COP28 in food and agriculture sys

cop28-adaptation-efforts-are-at-the-forefront

COP28 Adaptation Efforts Are at the Forefront

Lake Arin, known as "bird paradise" in Adilcevaz district of Bitlis, is shrinking day by day due to extreme drought. Activists in the region describe the situation as "deplorable".   
Arin Lake, where dozens of bird species such as dusky tail, longstart, redstart, Van Lake gull, black-headed gull, pike, swordbill, spoonbill and small grebe live and breed, has been facing the danger of completely drying up in recent years. In addition to the climate crisis and drought, agricultural irrigation brings the shrinkage to more dangerous dimensions.
Lake Van activists who wanted to draw attention to the lake, which is losing area day by day, marched for Lake Arin, which is about to dry up. 26 activists started from Arin Village in Adilcevaz district and walked 15 kilometres to Aydınlar Village. Members of the association opened banners here and stated that urgent measures should be taken.
Speaking to İklim Haber about the event, Cemal Yıldırım stated that the drying in the lake has increased in recent years and the shrinkage has exceeded 200 metres. Yıldırım said, "We have been trying to draw attention to this lake for the last few years.

Lake Arin, known as "bird paradise" in Adilcevaz district of Bitlis, is shrinking day by day due to extreme drought. Activists in the region describe 

lake-arin-in-the-grip-of-drought

Lake Arin in the Grip of Drought  

When we think of landscape architecture, small-scale recreation areas such as urban parks, gardens and golf courses may come to mind. MacArthur "Genius Award" winner Kate Orff, however, has a larger and more ecologically ambitious vision.
Director of Columbia University's Urban Design Programme, Orff believes architects should do more than just create beautiful spaces: "They need to work with nature to create resilient living environments that both help bring human communities together and protect them from the ravages of climate change."
SCAPE, the New York-based design firm Orff founded in 2007, is currently working on a project to counter sea level rise and land loss in the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana. SCAPE has also partnered with the Atlanta Regional Commission to create a 200 km trail and greenway along the Chattahoochee River, aiming to bring racially diverse riverside communities together based on their shared love of the river.

When we think of landscape architecture, small-scale recreation areas such as urban parks, gardens and golf courses may come to mind. MacArthur "Geniu

ecosystems-as-infrastructure

Ecosystems as Infrastructure

The world's oldest living land animal, a giant Seychelles tortoise named Jonathan, celebrated his 191st birthday.
Jonathan's estimated birth year is 1832, which means that he was born before many innovations had been invented, such as the postage stamp, the telephone and photography, the light bulb, the pistol-powered zeppelin and the modern bicycle.
Jonathan the Turtle lived through the US Civil War, most of Queen Victoria's reign, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and two world wars.
The giant tortoise, who has lived on the island of Saint Helena since 1882, also had a 26-year relationship with his boyfriend.
Jonathan is not only the world's oldest living land animal, but also the oldest "chelonian" (a reptile species that includes turtles, tortoises and water turtles) species ever recorded.

The world's oldest living land animal, a giant Seychelles tortoise named Jonathan, celebrated his 191st birthday.
Jonathan's estimated birth year is 1

happy-birthday-jonathan-the-turtle

Happy Birthday, Jonathan The Turtle

Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Maritime Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı said that the increase in sea water temperatures due to climate change caused the mass death of pinas in the Mediterranean.

Pinas, an endemic shell mussel species unique to the Mediterranean basin, are distributed up to 60 metres deep from the shore. Pinas, which have an average lifespan of 50 years and can reach up to 120 centimetres in length, are described as the natural filter of the marine ecosystem thanks to their ability to filter 6 litres of sea water per hour and clean untreated wastes.

Stating that the sea water temperatures in the Mediterranean basin are 2 degrees higher than the 50-year average, Sarı explained that the energy and heat storage capacities of the waters are five times higher than the soil, for this reason, sea waters cannot cool as fast as the soil and the accumulation effect increases over time and negatively affects the pines.

Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Maritime Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı said that the increase in sea water temperatures due to climate change c

mediterranean-no-mass-pina-population-left

Mediterranean No Mass Pina Population Left

In Hakodate, the third largest city of Hokkaido in Japan, a large number of sardines and different types of fish were seen washed ashore. It is not yet known why the fish died and washed ashore. Local authorities are discussing what to do with such a large number of dead fish.
In the morning, a citizen reported to the police that a large number of fish washed ashore in Hakodate, Hama-machi.
Authorities responded to the scene and found a large number of fish, including sardines, washed ashore in an area of about 1 km just before noon.
According to the local Toi Fisheries Co-operative, large numbers of fish have washed ashore in the past, but it is unusual for such a large number of fish to die.

In Hakodate, the third largest city of Hokkaido in Japan, a large number of sardines and different types of fish were seen washed ashore. It is not ye

japan-tens-of-thousands-of-fish-washed-ashore

Japan Tens of Thousands of Fish washed ashore

After months of negotiations, MEPs, national governments and the European Commission have signed an agreement for the union's new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Accordingly, EU countries have agreed to phase out fossil fuel heating by 2040. From 2025, there will be no financial support for boilers.


The agreed text contains far-reaching provisions on the phasing out of fossil fuels in home heating.
The new Directive will require all new buildings in the EU, including newly built homes, to be 'Zero Emission Buildings' from 2030. New buildings must have zero carbon emissions from fossil fuels. This will apply to public buildings from 1 January 2028.

After months of negotiations, MEPs, national governments and the European Commission have signed an agreement for the union's new Energy Performance o

eu-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels-for-heating-by-2040

EU to Phase Out Fossil Fuels For Heating by 2040

A new report says beverage companies such as Coca-Cola should be 'held accountable for the impacts of their plastics on the supply chain'.
The report starts at the end of the plastic's life cycle, with discarded PET plastic bottles releasing cancer-causing pollutants and heavy metals into the environment. While industry trade groups like to promote PET as "100 per cent recyclable", the reality is that 70 per cent of bottles are never collected for recycling. Instead they are discarded, sent to landfill or incinerated, causing air pollution that disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Defend Our Health estimates that of the remaining 30 per cent, only a third is recycled into new bottles; the rest is either wasted in the recycling process or turned into lower quality plastic products such as carpets.

A new report says beverage companies such as Coca-Cola should be 'held accountable for the impacts of their plastics on the supply chain'.
The report 

every-stage-of-the-life-cycle-of-plastic-bottles-harms-human-health

Every Stage of the Life Cycle of Plastic Bottles Harms Human Health

Our new study, which examines the changes in the 20-year catch data of anchovy, horse mackerel, sardine, bonito and bluefish species and the increase in the surface water temperature of the Marmara Sea, reveals that fish with shifts in their fishing calendars face dangerous levels of fishing pressure.
According to the study we published with Assoc. Prof. Taner Yıldız and Assoc. Prof. Ekin Akoğlu, which shows that there are shifts in the well-known fishing calendar of fish due to climate change, the migration of fish such as bonito and bluefish is delayed as the water temperature cools: The fishing seasons that started in mid-September have now shifted to mid-October.
In this situation, fishing is concentrated on species such as anchovy and horse mackerel. When bonito and bluefish arrive in the Marmara Sea with a delay, the amount of fish that make up their main food source is considerably reduced.

Our new study, which examines the changes in the 20-year catch data of anchovy, horse mackerel, sardine, bonito and bluefish species and the increase 

hunting-season-should-be-limited-to-protect-anchovy-and-bonito-stocks

Hunting Season Should Be Limited To Protect Anchovy and Bonito Stocks

Restorative agriculture is a shift in thinking in agriculture that puts the health of the entire ecosystem above traditional farming methods that are only concerned with increasing yields. Fundamentally, the aim is to restore and renew the resources used in agriculture, rather than simply protecting them.
This mindset includes a wide range of methods and ideas to nourish the soil. Restorative agriculture focuses on techniques such as cover crops, agroforestry, minimizing tillage, various crop rotations and incorporating livestock into cropping systems. Together, these techniques help to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, conserve water and sequester carbon in the soil.
Maintaining soil health is one of the core ideas of restorative agriculture. Productive and sustainable agriculture depends heavily on a healthy and living soil. This strategy promotes a healthy soil microbiome - the presence of all living things in the soil, from earthworms to bacteria.

Restorative agriculture is a shift in thinking in agriculture that puts the health of the entire ecosystem above traditional farming methods that are 

restorative-agriculture

Restorative Agriculture

Global sugar reserves hit their lowest level in 14 years due to the El Nino weather phenomenon caused by a warm water current in the Pacific. Fabio Palmeri, global commodity market researcher at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said FAO forecasts a 2 percent drop in global sugar production in the 2023-24 season compared to the previous year, which would lead to a loss of about 3.5 million tons.
This is partly due to El Nino, a natural phenomenon that alters global weather patterns and can cause extreme weather, from droughts to floods. Scientists say climate change is exacerbating El Nino.
Sugar is also increasingly used for biofuels such as ethanol, so global sugar reserves are at their lowest level since 2009.

Global sugar reserves hit their lowest level in 14 years due to the El Nino weather phenomenon caused by a warm water current in the Pacific. Fabio Pa

el-nino-effect-has-begun:-sugar-shortage-at-the-door

El Nino Effect Has Begun: Sugar Shortage at the Door

According to Mash, a 48-year-old man in the city of Kemerovo was charged with hooliganism and illegal possession of firearms in September after attacking a person while drunk. The man also threatened his victim with a gun, the police report said, without revealing his identity.
The arrested suspect cooperated with the investigation, pleaded guilty and was eventually brought to court. The judge found the defendant guilty on all charges. Some of these charges carried a prison sentence of more than five years.
However, the court imposed a suspended sentence, citing various mitigating circumstances, including the defendant's poor health, his cooperation with law enforcement and the fact that he had a cat waiting for him at home.
According to local media reports following the verdict, cat ownership has never before been considered a mitigating circumstance in Russian criminal law. Defendants could only be granted a certain degree of leniency if they had children or relatives to support.
In a criminal case in the Siberian region of Russia, the court decided to suspend the defendant's sentence and listed "cat ownership" as one of the mitigating circumstances.
According to the Mash Telegram channel, this is a first in the country's judicial practice.


According to Mash, a 48-year-old man in the city of Kemerovo was charged with hooliganism and illegal possession of firearms in September after attack

russia:-having-a-cat-child-brings-a-suspended-sentence

Russia: Having a Cat Child Brings a Suspended Sentence

Rising sea levels due to global warming and climate change threaten the Maldives with extinction. The Indian Ocean archipelago is already running out of drinking water. However, the country's new president, Mohammed Muizzi, announced that contrary to the warnings of the former president, he canceled the relocation plans of the citizens.
Instead, Muizzu promised to protect the country from rising sea levels through ambitious land reclamation and the construction of higher islands.
Environmental and human rights groups warned that this could further increase the risk of flooding.

Rising sea levels due to global warming and climate change threaten the Maldives with extinction. The Indian Ocean archipelago is already running out 

maldives-plays-its-card-before-climate-migration

Maldives Plays its Card Before Climate Migration

Hundreds of climate activists 'occupied' the port of Newcastle, Australia, by canoeing and swimming to disrupt the coal trade, halting ship traffic at the world's largest coal port for two days.
A total of 109 activists were detained as they gathered to protest the lack of action on climate change.
Rising Tide, which organized the action, reported that they prevented more than half a million tons of coal from leaving the country.
Australia is the world's second largest coal exporter and meets its electricity needs from fossil fuels. The port of Newcastle, about 170 kilometers from Sydney, is the most important port for the country's coal shipments.

Hundreds of climate activists 'occupied' the port of Newcastle, Australia, by canoeing and swimming to disrupt the coal trade, halting ship traffic at

climate-action-at-the-world's-largest-coal-port

Climate Action at the World's Largest Coal Port

A study by scientists from the University of Leeds shows that between 1997 and 2021, more than 40 percent of the Antarctic ice shelf shrank.
While the warm water on the west side of Antarctica melted the ice, the ice shelves either stayed the same or grew because the water was colder in the east.
According to the findings of the study cited by the Independent, 67 trillion tons of ice disappeared in the west between 1997 and 2021, while 59 trillion tons of ice was added in the east. Thus, there was a net loss of 7.5 trillion tons.
When ice shelves shrink, glaciers release larger amounts of freshwater into the sea, which can disrupt the Southern Ocean's currents.


A study by scientists from the University of Leeds shows that between 1997 and 2021, more than 40 percent of the Antarctic ice shelf shrank.
While the