2021 Environment Story

Isola del Piano (Pesaro, Italy), workers of the Girolomoni Agricultural Cooperative at work on the semolina machines. In the cereal sector, Girolomoni is selecting new and more resilient genetic material, capable of responding better to the new climatic conditions resulting from climate change.

Calatabiano (Catania, Italy), the worker Salvatore Caltabiano collects mangoes for the Tropical Fruit company, founded by Concetto Puglisi and specialized in the production and sale of mangoes. Also due to climate change, the cultivation of tropical fruits such as mango, avocado, papaya and passion fruit has increased considerably in Italy, especially in eastern Sicily.

Tolentino (Macerata, Italy), the Nigerian worker Steven Idima and the technician Simone Cioci collect ears to keep pure a variety of turanic wheat (or Khorasan wheat) in the experimental fields of the Research and Experimentation Center for Plant Improvement (Cermis).
Cermis researches and experiments with new varieties and cultivation techniques aimed at improving the cereal species, also in relation to climate change.

Faenza (Italy), anti-hail and anti-insect nets on the outskirts of the city. Due to climate change, high intensity hailstorms are increasingly frequent, as well as the invasion of alien insects harmful to agriculture.

Cineca (Bologna, Italy), consortium staff observes a 3D video within the Mistral project, acronym for Meteo Italian SupercompuTing poRtAL, which aims to create a national portal of Meteorological Open Data, useful for example in forecasting storms and flash floods. The Cineca inter-university consortium is one of the most important computing centers in the world.

Milan (Italy), Alberto Albuzza (on the right), director of ALMA - a company specialized in the import of exotic fruit - walks in the largest fruit and vegetable market in Italy. The demand for exotic fruits in Italy increases from year to year, as does the offer (especially from Italian producers, mainly concentrated in the south).

Tebano (Ravenna, Italy), panel tests are carried out on the organoleptic qualities of the new fruit and vegetable varieties and wine products in the sensory analysis laboratory of Astra (Agency for Technological Experimentation and Agro-environmental Research). Climate change has led to the research and development of new varieties which, before being marketed, are tested by sensory analysis experts to assess their potential acceptance by consumers.

Prarolo (Vercelli), the agricultural entrepreneur Flavio Ferraris walks among the poplar trees near one of his rice fields observing the devastation caused by the flooding of the Sesia river in early October 2020.

Malagnino (Cremona, Italy), a worker checks the bags of chickpeas at the headquarters of MartinoRossi Spa, a company specialized in the production of chickpea flour: this legume is increasingly widespread in Italy also because it is a water-saving crop.

Sclemo (Stenico di Trento, Italy), a PMB company truck at work during the preparation of 12 hectares of land at 750 meters above sea level for new Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines of the Cantine Ferrari company. In the shadow of the Brenta Dolomites, this land will be the highest of the winery's in Trentino, which until a few years ago cultivated at no more than 450/500 meters.

Calatabiano (Catania, Italy), Concetto Puglisi has founded the Tropical Fruit which is specialized in the production and sale of mangoes. Also as a consequence of climate change, cultivations of tropical fruits such as mango, avocado, papaya and passion fruit have increased considerably in Italy - and especially in eastern Sicily.

Montecalvo Verfiggia (Pavia, Italy), self-propelled grape harvester of the German company ERO in action at night among the rows of Marco Figini's farm. Night harvesting allows to pick grapes at lower temperatures (avoiding the heat of the day, increased in the last years) and to obtain better aromas and flavors, and therefore a better quality wine.

Children play on the beach outside of Honiara, in front of a logging ship waiting to be loaded on September 14th, 2019.

Nearby is a logging point, which is at the end of the road and is where logs are loaded onto ships. Thousands of logging points dot the coast of the Solomon Islands and often points are visible from each other. It is often round logs that are exported from the country, occasionally illegally as there is a lack of oversight due to the remote location of the points and government corruption.

Primary species of timber exported from Solomon Islands include vitex (Vitex cofassus), akwa (or taun, Pometia pinnata), kwila (or merbau, Instia bijuga) and rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus). It takes 75-80 years for these trees to grow.

A logging road leads up to the main camp of the Galego company before they were ejected by a group of locals who ejected the company through legal means.

Logging roads are one of the many ways the companies are ruining the islands. The Solomon Islands have more than 12,600 kilometers (7,800 miles) of logging roads, which open up sensitive habitats to potential degradation and destruction.

The camp is outside the village of Marasa, which is on the other side of Guadalcanal on September 21st, 2019 in the Solomon Islands.

Thousands of logging points dot the coast of the Solomon Islands and often points are visible from each other. It is often round logs that are exported from the country, occasionally illegally as there is a lack of oversight due to the remote location of the points and government corruption.

A woman walks through a logging camp used by the Apex company on September 23rd, 2019. These logging points are crucial for moving round logs to ships and out of the country.

Because these points are so remote it makes it difficult to police whether logs leaving the country are legal or not.

In the guise of the increasing and unsustainable logging in Solomon islands, community-based organizations in the West Are’are region on Malaita province collaborated together to save their remaining pristine forests. These community-based organizations came up with the Ma’asina Greenbelt Initiative, a conservation initiative that covers tribal forest boundaries of the agreed communities. Currently, the initiative covers about 2 square km. They are looking to expand up to 20sq km in the future.

A logging point on the Eastern Tip of Guadalcanal Island used by the Apex company on September 23rd, 2019. These logging points are crucial for moving round logs to ships and out of the country.

Because these points are so remote it makes it difficult to police whether logs leaving the country are legal or not.

In the guise of the increasing and unsustainable logging in Solomon islands, community-based organizations in the West Are’are region on Malaita province collaborated together to save their remaining pristine forests. These community-based organizations came up with the Ma’asina Greenbelt Initiative, a conservation initiative that covers tribal forest boundaries of the agreed communities. Currently, the initiative covers about 2 square km. They are looking to expand up to 20sq km in the future.

Women from the village of Igwa volunteer to police the Ngu Brothers logging company on September 18th, 2019, owned by Chinese-Malaysian Derrick Ngu, to make sure they only log in the allowed area. Often companies ignore boundaries and pick out the high-value trees as there is little oversight in remote areas.

Stella Abulate, 31 and Mary Osirii, 31 collect flowers in the jungle while on patrol. They are part of a group of conservationists photographed on September 18th, 2019. They are affiliated with Ma'asina Greenbelt Initiative and they are led by Timothy Kwaitaa and Jessica Jacinta, 29.

In the guise of the increasing and unsustainable logging in Solomon islands, community-based organizations in the West Are’are region on Malaita province collaborated together to save their remaining pristine forests.

Kwila trees in a forest that would have been logged by the Galego company outside the village of Marasa, which is on the other side of Guadalcanal on September 21st, 2019 in the Solomon Islands.

The village of Marasa and the other villages in the valley successfully kicked out the Galego logging company, mostly due to Phillip Jr's legal knowledge and experience working with Transparency International. Unfortunately, many villages in the Solomon Islands don't have the experience Phillip has and are victims of the large logging firms.

Thousands of logging points dot the coast of the Solomon Islands and often points are visible from each other. It is often round logs that are exported from the country, occasionally illegally as there is a lack of oversight due to the remote location of the points and government corruption.

Women from the village of Igwa volunteer to police the Ngu Brothers logging company on September 18th, 2019, owned by Chinese-Malaysian Derrick Ngu, to make sure they only log in the allowed area. Often companies ignore boundaries and pick out the high-value trees as there is little oversight in remote areas.

Stella Abulate, 31 and Mary Osirii, 31 collect flowers in the jungle while on patrol. They are part of a group of conservationists photographed on September 18th, 2019. They are affiliated with Ma'asina Greenbelt Initiative and they are led by Timothy Kwaitaa and Jessica Jacinta, 29.

In the guise of the increasing and unsustainable logging in Solomon islands, community-based organizations in the West Are’are region on Malaita province collaborated together to save their remaining pristine forests.

Locals who work for the logging company are transported up the mountain, along with a group of female rangers who police the forest and ensure loggers stay within their allocated lands.

They are affiliated with Ma'asina Greenbelt Initiative and they are led by Timothy Kwaitaa and Jessica Jacinta, 29.

In the guise of the increasing and unsustainable logging in Solomon islands, community-based organizations in the West Are’are region on Malaita province collaborated together to save their remaining pristine forests. These community-based organizations came up with the Ma’asina Greenbelt Initiative, a conservation initiative that covers tribal forest boundaries of the agreed communities. Currently, the initiative covers about 2 square km. They are looking to expand up to 20sq km in the future.

A logging point on the Eastern Tip of Guadalcanal Island used by the Apex company on September 23rd, 2019. These logging points are crucial for moving round logs to ships and out of the country. The point is located at 09°33′54.94″S 159°38′19.74″E and sits on the far side of Guadalcanal island in the Solomon Islands.

Because these points are so remote it makes it difficult to police weather logs leaving the country are legal or not.

In the guise of the increasing and unsustainable logging in Solomon islands community-based organizations in the West Are’are region on Malaita province collaborated together to save their remaining pristine forests. These community based organizations came up with the Ma’asina Greenbelt Initiative, a conservation initiative that covers tribal forest boundaries of the agreed communities. Currently, the initiative covers about 2 square km. They are looking to expand up to 20sq km in the future.

As land is collectively owned in the Solomon Islands, permission is tricky and communites are often torn about weather or not to let the companies in.

Phillip Manakako Sr. readies his boat to go to the village of Marasa, which is on the other side of Guadalcanal on September 20th, 2019 in the Solomon Islands. Because there are no roads on the island the village is only accessible by boat.

The village of Marasa and the other villages in the valley successfully kicked out the Galego logging company, mostly due to Phillip Jr's legal knowledge and experience working with Transparency International. Unfortunately, many villages in the Solomon Islands don't have the experience Phillip has and are victims to the large logging firms.

Primary species of timber exported from the Solomon Islands include Vitex, Akwa, Kwila, and Rosewood. It takes 75-80 years for these trees to grow.

The MV Tamarinho leaves the Honiara port on September 27th, 2019 bound for Auki, the main city of Malaita in the Solomon Islands.

As flights are expensive, citizens of the Solomon Islands rely on boats for transportation.

One of Nineteen containers of Kwila that was seized by the Customs Department of the Solomon Islands in the port of Honoria photographed on September 25th, 2019.

At the time of photographing Jim Sutton, the head of Customs was waiting for confirmation from the forestry department that it was indeed Kwila, this is necessary to formally seize the items. They were tipped off anonymously and checked the cargo, which was billed as milled Kwila, which has significantly fewer export duties (25%)and less value abroad than round (uncut) Kwila. It takes 75 years for these trees to grow.

The Solomon Islands is one of the few countries in the world that allows the export of raw or round logs grown naturally.

Firefighters walk through brush as they prepare for a backburn operation on the North Complex Fire in Butte County, California, U.S.A. on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. A series of approximately 12,000 lighting strikes hit the Bay Area causing over 350 fires including the North Complex Fire.

California has experienced over 8,000 wildfires in 2020 which have burned 4 million acres of land Ñ making it the largest wildfire season recorded in California history. After years of drought coupled with rising temperatures from climate change, the wildfires have become increasingly dangerous and unpredictable.

Environmental scientists argue that climate change is one of the main causes of these wildfire events and will continue to worsen as temperatures rise. In 2020 alone over 9,000 structures burned and 33 people lost their lives.

A structure burns off of Pleasants Valley Road during the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Vacaville, Calif., on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

Ava Santos,11, cries in her car with her mom while petting her cat Lily after evacuating the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Vacaville, Calif., on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Santos and her family had just moved into her new home and her parents were certain that their house burned in the fire.

Jack Mitchell (right) waters down his grandfathers home as he tries to save it from impending fire with friends Tim Plowman (left) and Haedyn Gomes before evacuating the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Vacaville, Calif., on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

A structure burns off of Pleasants Valley Road during the LNA Lightning Complex Fire in Vacaville , Calif., on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

Valley View inmate firefighters cut down trees ahead of a backburn operation on the North Complex Fire in Butte County, California on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.

A helicopter picks up water from a pond to make drops onto the Glass Fire near Highway 29 on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Calistoga, California.

Ken Albers, 72, wipes his head as he takes a break from sifting through the charred remains of his destroyed vintage cars after the LNU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 in Vacaville, California.

Lisa Trythall (left) makes sandwiches for her children including son Luke Trythall (right) as they sit in their car surrounded by haze and smoke from multiple fires in the area in Sausalito, Calif. Wednesday, September 9, 2020.

A farmer examines desert locusts at an infested farm in Nakukulas, Turkana County, Kenya on June 7, 2020.

The desert locust upsurge could have devastating consequences in already vulnerable regions, potentially causing large-scale crop damage and threatening food security in countries affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Horn of Africa faced the worst desert locust crisis in over 25 years, and the most serious in 70 years forÊKenya. The situation represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the region.

Hopper bands of desert locust infest a grazing area in Nakukulas, Turkana County, Kenya on June 7, 2020.

The desert locust upsurge could have devastating consequences in already vulnerable regions, potentially causing large-scale crop damage and threatening food security in countries affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Horn of Africa faced the worst desert locust crisis in over 25 years, and the most serious in 70 years forÊKenya. The situation represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the region.

A truck with a worker on the top of the trailer drives in a road completely surrounded by a massive swarm of locust in an area next to Archers Post, Samburu County, Kenya on April 24, 2020.

A locust plague fueled by unpredictable weather patterns devastated parts of East Africa. Voracious swarms -some billions strong- ravaged big areas of land and just as the coronavirus outbreak had begun to disrupt livelihoods. In spite of coronavirus-related travel restrictions, international experts are in place to support efforts to eradicate the pest with measures including ground and aerial spraying.

The Covid-19 pandemic has competed for funding, hampered movement and delayed the import of some inputs, including insecticides and pesticides.

Herny Lenayasa, a Samburu man and chief of the settlement of Archers Post tries to scare away a massive swarm of locust ravaging a grazing area next to Archers Post, Samburu County, Kenya on April 24, 2020.

A locust plague fueled by unpredictable weather patterns devastated parts of East Africa. Voracious swarms -some billions strong- ravaged big areas of land and just as the coronavirus outbreak had begun to disrupt livelihoods. In spite of coronavirus-related travel restrictions, international experts are in place to support efforts to eradicate the pest with measures including ground and aerial spraying.

The Covid-19 pandemic has competed for funding, hampered movement and delayed the import of some inputs, including insecticides and pesticides.

A massive swarm of locust is seen ravaging the trees in a remote area next to Archers Post, Samburu County, Kenya on April 24, 2020.

The desert locust upsurge could have devastating consequences in already vulnerable regions, potentially causing large-scale crop damage and threatening food security in countries affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Horn of Africa faced the worst desert locust crisis in over 25 years, and the most serious in 70 years forÊKenya. The situation represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the region.

A member of KenyaÕs NYS -National Youth Service- sprays pesticides in an area infested with hopper bands of desert locust next to Lokichar, Turkana County, Kenya on June 10, 2020.

The National Youth Service -NYS- is an organisation under the Government of Kenya with the purpose of mentoring Kenya's youth through national building programs as well as technical and vocational training. NYS has been an active party in the fight against desert locust in the region.

The desert locust upsurge could have devastating consequences in already vulnerable regions, potentially causing large-scale crop damage and threatening food security in countries affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic has competed for funding, hampered movement and delayed the import of some inputs, including insecticides and pesticides.

A desert locust belonging to a massive swarm is seen on a tree branch in a remote grazing area next to Archers Post, Samburu County, Kenya on April 24, 2020.

The desert locust upsurge could have devastating consequences in already vulnerable regions, potentially causing large-scale crop damage and threatening food security in countries affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic has competed for funding, hampered movement and delayed the import of some inputs, including insecticides and pesticides.

65-year-old Turkana farmer Lochom Ekiru asses the severe damage of his maize crops after hopper bands of desert locust ravaged them in Kalemngorok, Turkana County, Kenya on June 3, 2020.

Lochom Ekiru is a Turkana farmer and father of 10 children. He is a former pastoralist that lost all his cattle due to cattle raiding. After that experience, he decided to invest his savings and becoming a farmer. Now, he has tragically lost almost all his maize crops due to hopper bands of locusts ravaging the region.

The desert locust upsurge could have devastating consequences in already vulnerable regions, potentially causing large-scale crop damage and threatening food security in countries affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A motorbike rider wearing a face mask rides a motorbike in a road surrounded by a massive swarm of locust ravaging a grazing area next to Archers Post, Samburu County, Kenya on April 24, 2020.

A locust plague fueled by unpredictable weather patterns devastated parts of East Africa. Voracious swarms -some billions strong- ravaged big areas of land and just as the coronavirus outbreak had begun to disrupt livelihoods. In spite of coronavirus-related travel restrictions, international experts are in place to support efforts to eradicate the pest with measures including ground and aerial spraying.

The Covid-19 pandemic has competed for funding, hampered movement and delayed the import of some inputs, including insecticides and pesticides.

Lisa, Chris and Celine, three young pastoralist Samburu taking care of their families cattle looks at a swarm of locust from some rocks in a grazing area next to Archers Post, Samburu County, Kenya on April 24, 2020.

Some herders in the region have watched the rangelands stripped bare before their eyes, and before their livestock can get to them.

A locust plague fueled by unpredictable weather patterns devastated parts of East Africa. Voracious swarms -some billions strong- ravaged big areas of land and just as the coronavirus outbreak had begun to disrupt livelihoods. In spite of coronavirus-related travel restrictions, international experts are in place to support efforts to eradicate the pest with measures including ground and aerial spraying.

Santa Cruz Chapel is partially under the water due to the rising sea on Talitip Island that used to be on land. The chapel still hosts services when the tide is low, a few times a year, in Talitip, Bulacan, Philippines on Nov. 18th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Residents of Houses on Talitip Island that were built with concrete and used to be on land, now surviving after adding bamboo structures over the water as the island is under the water due to the sea rising in Talitip, Bulacan, Philippines on Nov. 16th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Renato Truba, 50, blue shirt, and his sister Jasmin Trupa, 56, right, pink shirt, took care of their mother, Rorencia Trupa, 92, on the first floor of their house. It's two story house but since the flood in 2002, they have raised the floor of the first floor about 3 feels in 3 different times, in 2002, 2006, and 2012, leveling to the height of the street next to their house entrance at Panghulo Barangay village in Malabon City, which is a part of Metro Manila. Most houses in the neighborhood also were raised 3, 4 times to avoid flood in their houses in Malabon, Philippines on Nov. 18th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Renato Truba, 50, blue shirt, right, and his sister Jasmin Trupa, 56, left bottom, pink shirt, took care of their mother, Rorencia Trupa, 92, on the first floor of their house. It's two story house but since the flood in 2002, they have raised the floor of the first floor about 3 feels in 3 different times, in 2002, 2006, and 2012, leveling to the height of the street next to their house entrance at Panghulo Barangay village in Malabon City, which is a part of Metro Manila. Most houses in the neighborhood also were raised 3, 4 times to avoid flood in their houses in Malabon, Philippines on Nov. 18th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Houses on an island once connected to the mainland by a strip of land, at one point had about 100 houses, were raised after the rising sea flooded their houses and only few remained on Talitip Island that used to be on land. The land are still seen when it’s in a low tide like in this picture, in Talitip, Bulacan, Philippines on Nov. 18th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Children played on the seawall in Navotas where a typhoon destroyed many houses on the sea, right side, which was outside the seawall. Other people inside the seawall still live there and protected by the seawall where the sea level is higher than the ground on the left in Navotas, Manila, Philippines on Nov. 17th, 2019. Some people who lost their houses left there but then they returned to the area because it was hard to get a job at the places where they were relocated. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Anna Lampitoc, 32, her husband, Antonio Lacanaria, 33, with their 4 children, Kate Louisse, Red shirt, (11), Olivia Angela, 7, Black and white Stripe shirt, Jena Verinica, 4, white shirt, Luis Anton, 2.5 month, at her home at Socialized Housing in Tanza 2 in Navotas where she was re-located after a typhoon destroyed her house in Tulay 1 in Navotas which was outside a seawall in Navotas, Manila, Philippines on Nov. 17th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020. Her eldest son, Keith Lorence, 12, was playing outside. This house still often gets flooded whenever it rains heavily.

Anna Lampitoc, 32, her son, Keith Lorence, 12, showed the seawall around her home at Socialized Housing in Tanza 2 in Navotas where she was re-located after a typhoon destroyed her house in Tulay 1 in Navotas which was outside a seawall in Navotas, Manila, Philippines on Nov. 17th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020. Even with this seawall, their house still often gets flooded whenever it rains heavily.

A woman glances the sea from inside her house where it's protected by the seawall (not in the picture) in Navotas where a typhoon destroyed many houses on the sea outside the seawall. Other people inside the seawall still live there and protected by the seawall where the sea level is higher than these houses in Navotas, Manila, Philippines on Nov. 20th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Remedios Santos, 57, left, did dishes after the dinner with her grandson, Raymard Cabiterano, 13, not in the picture, in Tulay 1 in Navotas. She was re-located in the city but returned to the area because it was hard to get a job for her at the places where she was re-located. Children in the area played on the seawall, right which is protecting the houses on the left which is lower than the sea level in Navotas, Manila, Philippines on Nov. 20th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Desiree Rebaldo Alalay, 29, returned changes to a boy at her home which she uses as a small convenient store. She raised her house about 3 feels in three different times like the most of the neighbors in Panghulo Barangay, in Malabon City, due to the rising sea water and flood in Malabon, Manila, Philippines on Nov. 18th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020.

People have to use a small boats to commute at Artex Compound in Panghulo Barangay village which is under water now due to the raised street that blocked water to get out of the village in Malabon, Manila, Philippines on Nov. 18th, 2019. The story was published on Feb. 13th, 2020. Every time it rains, there is no sewage that can bring the water out and the water gets higher and higher.