By heat mapping the city of Taipei, citizens are reclaiming the right to be cool – Image: DW
Eco wins: From an AI-powered cute little pangolin, heat mapping to cool down cities and animals reducing wildfire risks by doing their thing, these real-world climate hacks are helping communities stay ahead of a changing planet.
Nature’s own Eco-firefighters
Sometimes the best climate solutions have four legs. From goats and sheep in the United States to donkeys in Spain, grazing animals are helping reduce wildfire risk by clearing dry vegetation that can fuel fires.
Carefully managed grazing not only slows the spread of potential wildfires but can also create access paths for emergency crews. It’s a simple yet effective example of how working with nature can help communities become more resilient to a changing climate.
Keeping cities cool: Reclaiming the right to a livable future
Young voices and urban innovators are driving change in the fight against extreme heat. Climate activist Che Chen is taking Taiwan’s government to court because he believes access to a livable, cooler environment is a basic human right for his generation and those to come.
At the same time, urban heat expert Tzu-ping Lin is developing practical solutions such as wind corridors, greener buildings and heat mapping to make cities more resilient.
One of the world’s most threatened animals speaks up
Conservationists and storytellers are finding new ways to connect people with endangered wildlife in South Africa by helping audiences imagine the world through the eyes of a pangolin.
The cute, AI-powered creature speaks South Africa’s 11 official languages, answers questions, reacts realistically and ultimately highlights the threats facing the world’s most trafficked mammal, which is poached primarily for its meat and scales.
The initiative is driven by a desire to inspire empathy and action, showing that protecting biodiversity starts with understanding the species we share our planet with.
DW.com/NAN 27-07-26
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