Environmista

Even after decades of studying tigers, wildlife expert Ullas Karanth is still awestruck by these majestic creatures. Tigers, requiring vast territories filled with prey, are now under severe threat due to habitat loss, poaching, and increasing human-wildlife conflict. The global tiger population has dwindled from an estimated 100,000 in 1900 to just 4,500 today. In India, where most wild tigers live, human encroachment into tiger territories has led to fatal conflicts and retaliatory killings. To address this, Krithi Karanth, Ullas’s daughter, focuses on reducing human-wildlife conflict through community programs, compensations, and education to foster coexistence. #TigerConservation #WildlifeProtection #HumanWildlifeConflict #HabitatLoss #ConservationEfforts https://lnkd.in/eAmVEnRU

Air pollution is a major, yet often invisible, threat to human health and the climate. The new "air quality stripes" visually represent global air pollution trends since 1850, highlighting the disparity between regions with improving air quality, such as Europe, and those with worsening conditions, like parts of Africa and Central Asia. These stripes, inspired by Ed Hawkins' climate warming stripes, reveal the urgent need for international efforts to combat pollution, as over 99% of the global population now lives above recommended air quality levels. The visual tool not only simplifies complex data but also serves as a powerful call to action for addressing environmental inequities and transitioning to net-zero emissions. #AirPollution #ClimateChange #AirQuality #GlobalHealth #EnvironmentalJustice https://lnkd.in/eK_WEkss

Even during extreme heat waves, certain areas within ancient cities managed to stay cooler, offering valuable lessons for modern urban planning. Historically, architects in ancient civilizations, such as Rome and Greece, implemented strategies like narrowing streets to limit sunlight exposure and using light-colored surfaces to reflect heat. These ancient practices helped mitigate the "urban heat island" effect, where urban temperatures rise due to the loss of vegetation, heat-absorbing materials, and industrial emissions. Today, by incorporating similar strategies—such as increasing tree cover and utilizing reflective materials—modern cities can significantly reduce temperatures and enhance urban resilience. #UrbanCooling #AncientArchitecture #SustainableCities #ClimateAdaptation #UrbanHeatIsland https://lnkd.in/eZ8SRedg

A new study suggests that archaeologists should utilize satellite imagery to assess and monitor the impact of climate change on ancient underground structures, particularly in vulnerable areas like Alexandria, Egypt. With increasing natural disasters threatening UNESCO heritage sites, such as the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, satellite data could provide essential insights for stabilizing and protecting these fragile sites from climate-induced damage. #ClimateChange #CulturalHeritage #Archaeology #SatelliteImagery #Alexandria #UNESCO #AncientStructures https://lnkd.in/gQc6NJiB

Plasma technology, known for its unique properties, is revolutionizing cultural heritage conservation by providing non-invasive, eco-friendly methods for cleaning, decontaminating, and preserving historical artifacts, including corrosion removal, organic material cleaning, and protective coatings. #CulturalHeritage #Conservation #PlasmaTechnology #ArtRestoration #Innovation

Türkiye's Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums has tagged 254,698 artifacts in museums across the country using AI-supported DNA technology as part of an effort to combat smuggling and preserve cultural heritage. This initiative, which includes the chemical identification and digital coding of artifacts, aims to protect and pass down these treasures for future generations. By 2028, all 2.86 million artifacts in Türkiye's museums are expected to be digitally identified and secured. #CulturalHeritage #AI #ArtifactPreservation #MuseumTechnology #TurkishHeritage https://lnkd.in/e8ApaH9F

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has partnered with Dendra Systems to implement an advanced environmental programme focused on assessing and rehabilitating natural terrestrial habitats across Abu Dhabi. This initiative, the largest of its kind in the region, involved a detailed study led by young Emirati talents using AI and drone technology to monitor plant diversity and the impact of human activities on native vegetation. Covering 11,000 hectares, the project not only aims to preserve plant biodiversity but also supports the UAE’s broader sustainability goals, including achieving Net Zero by 2050. The programme has significantly reduced time and costs, proving the effectiveness of integrating innovative technologies into environmental conservation efforts. #Sustainability #EnvironmentalConservation #UAE #AI #DroneTechnology #NetZero2050 https://lnkd.in/dKpTDadn

Drones are increasingly being used in Indian forests to map habitats, track animal movements, monitor wildfires, and reduce human-animal conflicts. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as high costs, short battery life, regulatory constraints, and limited training among forest officials. While drones have proven effective in various conservation efforts, including during the Assam floods and in the Panna Tiger Reserve, experts emphasize the need for affordable prices, a standard operating procedure, and better awareness to fully realize their potential in forest management. #Drones #ConservationTech #WildlifeProtection #ForestManagement #India https://lnkd.in/egVzKgEj

Karnataka's Department of Archaeology, Museum, and Heritage (DAMH) is bringing the state's rich heritage into the metaverse by digitally scanning 530 protected monuments. In an innovative move, the first phase will feature immersive 3D and virtual reality walkthroughs for 10 selected monuments, using generative AI to create hyper-realistic experiences. This initiative aims to boost global accessibility, spark interest in heritage conservation, and potentially increase tourism. The digital data will be freely available for public use, encouraging the creation of new content and further engagement with Karnataka's historical sites. #HeritageInTheMetaverse #DigitalConservation #KarnatakaMonuments #VirtualReality #CulturalPreservation https://lnkd.in/eiBckn6J

Ensuring biodiversity protection in Kazakhstan is challenging due to the country's vast and diverse landscapes, including steppes, mountains, forests, and deserts, which make systematic data collection difficult and resource-intensive. Additionally, infrastructure development, such as power lines and wind farms, disrupts wildlife habitats and migration routes, particularly for species like the saiga antelope. The lack of reliable data further complicates conservation efforts, hindering informed decision-making and the establishment of effective policies. Moreover, climate change exacerbates these challenges by altering ecosystems and threatening species' survival. Despite the problems, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan continues to push forward with initiatives like the Altyn Dala program and the development of a national biodiversity strategy to ensure the protection of these critical ecosystems. #BiodiversityChallenges #KazakhstanConservation #WildlifeProtection #ClimateChangeImpact https://lnkd.in/eiZ6A7iU