The Local Councils' Expo, organised by the Local Councils Association on 22–23 November 2024, offered an exceptional platform to spotlight the pivotal role of local governance in driving climate resilience and sustainable community development. Representing the Research Innovation Unit (RIU), I was privileged to lead two workshops showcasing RIU's ongoing innovation in climate action. [...]
The urgency of just sustainability transitions has become increasingly evident in the wake of the European Environment Agency's (EEA) recent publication, Just Sustainability Transitions — From Concept to Practice. While the report provides insight into the multifaceted approaches taken by various European regions, Gzira's groundbreaking efforts through the JUSTNature project deserve focused attention. The JUSTNature [...]
As the Mediterranean basin endures yet another devastating weather event, the recent flash floods in Barcelona highlight an urgent need for adaptive strategies to combat the intensifying climate crisis. This catastrophe unfolded shortly after the catastrophic floods in Valencia, where over 200 people lost their lives in late October 2024. The consecutive nature of [...]
This past week, Spain's eastern coast endured one of the deadliest and most destructive flooding events in its recent history. As torrential rains transformed streets into rivers and swept away infrastructure, the storm claimed at least 95 lives, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Valencia. These events highlight the unique vulnerability of Southern Europe [...]
In a world reshaped by climate change, desertification is one of the most visible consequences impacting biodiversity and human societies. Recent images of water pooling in the Sahara Desert after uncharacteristic rainfall remind us of the complex, often paradoxical forces driving the spread of arid landscapes. While the Sahara, the world's largest hot desert, [...]
