Europe’s eleven soil threats

Photo credit: Science Daily

In Norway, erosion caused by flooding and landslides, is a major soil threat. Here we see erosion in Trøgstad in the South-East of Norway.

Credit: Line Thomsen

European soil threats: What, where and why?

Source:NIBIO – Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research

Summary:

Over sixty soil experts have gone together and provided an up to date overview of European soil threats. The extensive report, which among other things provides information on the geographical spread of eleven soil threats, also addresses what kind of effect these threats may have on soil functions and ecosystem services, and why they occur.

 

Call for active participation of women in adaptation projects

Photo credit: SciDevNet

Copyright: Jeremy Hartley/Panos

Gender sensitivity could aid climate change projects

Sam Otieno

“Gender-sensitive approaches can ensure that everybody has an equal opportunity.” -Jechoniah Kitala, Practical Action Consulting East Africa

Speed read

• A study is identifying gender differences in climate change adaptation
• Initial results show that gender is key to participatory development
• An expert calls for active participation of women in adaptation projects

Men and women living in slums face different climate change impacts which, if overlooked, could further widen gender gaps in participatory development, says the preliminary findings of a continuing study.

The study is identifying factors that influence men and women in participating in climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

The preliminary results of the study were released last month (19 January) at a workshop organised by Practical Action Consulting East Africa in partnership with Institute of Development Studies, and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, both based in the United Kingdom.

According to Jechoniah Kitala, the principal project manager, Practical Action Consulting East Africa, which is conducting the study, the preliminary findings indicate that ignoring gender differences in climate change adaptation projects could widen gender gaps and hinder participatory development.

The study being conducted in Kisumu, Kenya began on August 2015 and is to end next month (March). It involves 128 participants, including key informants and opinion leaders at the county and community levels.

Read the full article: SciDevNet