Climatelinks Photo Gallery

This image shows a high concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a significant air pollutant concern, over Bangkok. Vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction dust, and agricultural burning contributes to the high levels of PM2.5 pollution the city experiences. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, leading to a range of health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The Government of Thailand and local authorities are implementing measures to mitigate PM2.5 pollution, such as promoting emissions controls, encouraging public transportation, and raising awareness about the importance of air quality. 

Landscape ecosystems contribute to climate regulation, water purification, soil fertility, and the preservation of wildlife habitats, making them essential to the well-being of both their human and non-human inhabitants.

Thailand's mangroves are vital habitats, providing numerous ecological benefits and serving as a shield against coastal hazards. By reestablishing mangroves, Thailand aims to enhance ecosystem resilience, protect coastal communities from erosion and storm surges, and promote biodiversity conservation. These restoration projects involve planting mangrove saplings, educating local communities about the importance of mangroves, and engaging stakeholders in sustainable practices. Through the collective commitment of government agencies, environmental organizations, and local communities, Thailand strives to revive the roots of mangroves, ensuring the long-term health and vitality of these invaluable coastal ecosystems.

Forester Lito Calub, a consultant with the BLUEFRA Association, trains members of vulnerable populations in Sitio Tawi Tawi, Brgy. Progonsino, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines in composting and organic farming.

Officers with the BLUEFRA Association deliver information on climate change mitigation and forest protection to local communities in Sitio Tawi Tawi, Brgy. Progonsino, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines.

The Haiti Timber Re-Introduction Program (HTRIP) at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) has planted more than four million trees in Haiti's Artibonite Department over the past 15 years. 25 rural communities and thousands of community members have produced seedlings, planted trees, and harvested fruit and timber to support this effort. The HTRIP team nurtures starter seedlings at the HAS campus. This important agroforestry project improves community resilience to climate change risks, including flooding, erosion, and drought. It also supports sustainable agroforestry practices to generate income for local farmers and combat deforestation. HAS receives support from USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program.

Roughly 50 percent of Haiti's population does not have access to clean water. Rural communities like Deschapelles are much less likely to have access to clean water than urban communities and are at the highest risk for deadly waterborne illnesses like diarrheal disease and cholera. Hôpital Albert Schweitzer's (HAS) advanced water system provides clean water daily to the hospital, its supporting buildings, and 30,000 people in the local community. Continuous operation and maintenance of these water resources contributes to mitigation of climate risks, including increased frequency of drought and reduced water quality.

Solar power currently covers 35 percent of the daily energy requirements for Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) to operate its campus in rural Haiti, reducing the hospital's carbon dioxide output by 200 tons per year. HAS received support from USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program and the American people to move towards a long-term goal of expanding its microgrid to operate on 100 percent renewable energy from photovoltaic solar and energy storage. The project will nearly double HAS’ solar output, allowing almost 70 percent of its daily power needs to be met with environmentally friendly renewable energy and further reducing its CO2 output. Haiti faces climate risks from the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. By upgrading its solar capacity and decreasing its reliance on diesel fuel, HAS will increase its capacity to treat critically injured people and provide emergency health care in the aftermath of climate-related disasters.

 Model Comprehensive Health Clinic (MCHC) SHABU in Lafia, Nasarawa State is a primary healthcare centre supported by KNCV Nigeria which has a molecular TB Lab run fully on Solar energy. The lab has a GeneXpert machine and an inverter AC and consists of 18 high-capacity solar panels and 12 dry cell batteries which ensure there is enough power to Find TB cases 24hrs of the day.

 The KNCV Nigeria Wellness on Wheels team at a motor park in Kano State taking mobile TB screening to those catching the early bus. The wellness on wheels is a mobile diagnostic truck with Solar Panels used in diagnosing TB cases under the USAID TB LON 1 & 2 Project

Dr. Deborah Ruth Amulen founded the Center for Insect Research and Development (CIRD), which has become a one-stop center for information and innovation related to the use of beneficial insects in Uganda. Since 2019, she and her team have piloted small-scale commercial black soldier fly (BSF) larvae farming as a potential replacement for more expensive and environmentally hazardous animal-protein feed ingredients. Through USAID's Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program, the team plans to train and help create 100 youth- and women-led BSF farming businesses and establish CIRD as a knowledge center for commercial BSF farming, facilitating a platform for actors along the BSF farming value chain to engage with each other. As part of the BSF farming process, the research team purchases organic waste to feed the larvae from a group of women waste sorters. The women in this group are single mothers who work in Kampala dumps to sort organic and plastic waste to sell to farmers. 

A smallholder farm, First Salaam Agro Allied Enterprise operated by Salihu Idris in Chanchaga-Badeggi in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State, joined the USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Extension and Advisory Activity in September 2022. Idris participated in disseminating and promoting the most impactful practices of biofertilizer use, particularly the use of biofertilizer (biochar and compost) to improve soil quality. He then farmed to demonstrate the use of locally produced biochar and compost in a community called Majin Gari in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State. 

Farmers in the community are now adopting the use of biochar and compost for their rice farming, thereby swelling the demand for biofertilizers. The use of biochar in the third farming trial saved the use of 100kg of urea in the farm, thereby ensuring no emissions in the farming cycle. The success has led Idris to establish a local biochar production facility with support from the USAID Feed the Future Migeria Agricultural Extension Activity in Majin Gari, Lavun.

The sea is the daily breath of the marine tribe in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia because they live and are raised from the sea. The local fishery, which the tribe sustains itself, must be managed in a way that ensures the long-term health of the fish stocks. This means that the fishery stocks must not be overfished and that the tribe must take steps to protect it from other threats, such as habitat destruction. The tribe protects its marine environment by planting and maintaining coral reefs, existing flora, and fauna. For them, the sea is everything– protecting the sea is an obligation for the future of their children and grandchildren.

In this photo, Behave Mauluka Nyoni is captured using an improved cookstove called "Zipolopolo," which is promoted through Self Help Africa/United Purpose, a non-governmental organization. Malawi is one of the countries grappling with deforestation due to overreliance on biomass as a source of energy; the percentage of people using electricity is very low. As such, a large population of households in the country depends on either charcoal or firewood, which is produced illegally. Annually, Malawi experiences massive load-shedding. This is because the country's hydroelectric power is affected by debris due to floods and cyclones. To lessen the pressure on natural resources, the organization is promoting these cookstoves. “Zipolopolo” cookstoves use pellets made from sustainable production. For example, the stove is powered by a lamp that uses a solar power source (low-carbon technology). Using the improved stoves will mean that trees are conserved and able to sequestrate more carbon dioxide, thereby mitigating climate change.

This 75 kWp solar project is located at a rice mill in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Despite being situated in one of the least developed areas of the country, Indigo Energy’s client is not left behind in using renewable energy to both reduce costs and contribute to sustainability. By transitioning to solar energy, the reliance on fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is significantly diminished. These fossil fuels are the primary sources of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change. Consequently, adopting solar energy substantially lowers the overall carbon footprint of the facility, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable environment. In fact, this rice mill alone can reduce its CO2 emissions by approximately 76 metric tons annually. The installation of the solar project showcases Indigo Energy's commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions even in remote and developing regions. By harnessing the power of the sun, this rice mill not only saves money but also sets a positive example for other industries to follow in the transition towards a more environmentally conscious future.

Indigo Energy installed a solar project at the car parking area of Junction Square, a well-known shopping mall in Yangon, Myanmar. In Myanmar society, there have been apparent and unconscious stereotypes suggesting that the electrical engineering career is not suitable for women. Many women engineers in the renewable energy industry encounter stereotypical questions like, "Can women really climb the roof?" or "Can women really carry solar panels?" These questions undermine women engineers' technical skills and abilities and perpetuate the belief that they are less capable in electricity-related fields. Indigo Energy is a diverse solar engineering company that firmly believes a person's exceptional work quality is not based on gender, religion, age, or any other factors. In the organization, 60 percent of managerial roles and 60 percent of engineers are women.