I just love creating my own worlds. Especially the ones that feel real and exist between us and within ourselves. It’s like my pencil has a mind of its own and suddenly there’s a brand new story on the page. It’s like I’m directing a movie and only I know how it ends. Or doesn’t…
<figure><img alt="Pure Love by Migel7765" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*fM2JKigJYsDB4LaDeKWZfA.jpeg"><figcaption>Pure Love by Migel7765</figcaption></figure>At the end of the day it’s like I lived it, but not quite. It’s different, but familiar. It has a story, a plot, a message. A little bit dreamy and a little bit realistic. A bit surreal, a bit not. It’s this perfect in-between that I love. And it’s not just some boring landscape, or too abstract art. It’s alive.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/675/1*Tvi0b9Q8MC4ODG3ugqLRNA.jpeg"></figure>Something as pure as a mother-child relationship contrasted with the polluted air that surrounds us. In this quasi-post-apocalyptic scene, the Mickey Mouse gas mask demonstrates the mother’s attempt to appear more welcoming to her child, but the overall picture is even more frightening and disturbing.
<h3>Migel7765 on Twitter: "Work in progress'Pure love'Pollution theme for @WolfSociety_fnd pic.twitter.com/7lFXQomKxr / Twitter"</h3>
Work in progress'Pure love'Pollution theme for @WolfSociety_fnd pic.twitter.com/7lFXQomKxr
Mother and child breathe into each other from mask to mask, making the strength of their love even stronger. The flying fish demonstrate the surreal nature of the whole scene, while also bringing in the typical element that accompanies all of Migel7765’s work.
<h3>Wolf Society Foundation 🌱🎨 on Twitter: "Awsome job Miguel7765 @mishosifko The artwork will be available soon at https://t.co/b7bMV6dw5A Keep an eye on it! https://t.co/X0lxl0RICS / Twitter"</h3>
Awsome job Miguel7765 @mishosifko The artwork will be available soon at https://t.co/b7bMV6dw5A Keep an eye on it! https://t.co/X0lxl0RICS
In migel7765’s work you will find fragments of ordinary things from life and absurdity mixed into an original surreal cocktail. He likes to compose elements into seemingly nice things that disturb and make you think about the irony of life, and although he works more with themes related to the dark side of human nature, in the overall context he tries to lighten and ridicule it.
<h3>Wolf Society Foundation 🌱🎨 on Twitter: "Soon available at https://t.co/b7bMV6dw5A https://t.co/ogSdBhLg9y / Twitter"</h3>
Soon available at https://t.co/b7bMV6dw5A https://t.co/ogSdBhLg9y
Very characteristic in his work are the eyes and the fish — as if someone is watching it all from behind the scenes through them, saying that you can’t hide from yourself.He does painting, drawing and street art. He works with oil, acrylic, spray and pen/markers.
<h3>Wolf Society Foundation 🌱🎨 on Twitter: "Soon available to mint via Manifold https://t.co/UJ4GN7LZAj / Twitter"</h3>
Soon available to mint via Manifold https://t.co/UJ4GN7LZAj
Pure Love by Migel7765 is the first NFT artwork from Earth Pollution collection by Wolf Society and is now ready for minting on Manifold.
<ul>
<li>unlimited supply</li>
<li>available only until 31th Aug 2023</li>
<li>reserve 0.166 ETH</li>
</ul>
By owning this utility NFT artwork you will support: - our partner conservation projects - the artist Migel7765 - the Wolf Society project - and yourself (see what’s in store for you)
<a href="https://wolfsociety.org/art-impact?nft=pure_love">Grab one for you now &gt;&gt;</a>
Artist
Misho Sivko ///// @migel7765 surreal — contemporary — weird pen drawing, oil, acrylic, spray paint #followtheblindfish #artisgod
About Wolf Society Foundation
The wolf society financially supports projects that heal the earth’s climate. Each such project needs funding in addition to enthusiasm, perseverance, and human resources. To make a significant global impact, we need a continuous flow of work and funds into quality wildlife conservation and rewilding projects. The wolf society believes in the tremendous power of the arts and artists to promote conservation. The wolf society brings together the arts, the public and the latest NFT and blockchain technologies. Together we harness the social capital needed to protect the earth’s natural resources and climate.
We raise the necessary funds by selling artwork from collaborating artists, which can be purchased in nft digital format. By purchasing nft artworks or entire nft collections, you will support our partner conservation projects, the artists themselves and the wolf society project. In addition, nft technology allows us to reward your contribution with many real-world benefits and perks. The specific benefits you will receive by purchasing and holding nft artworks offered on wolf society are listed in the details of each nft artwork. the wolf society is constantly working to add new benefits that will enrich your spirit and life. together, we are creating a better place to live, for everyone.
<a href="https://wolfsociety.org/art-impact">Let’s make Art Impact!</a>
<img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=fb3edc6269b6" width="1" height="1" alt="">

How It’s Made: Pure Love by Migel7765

The Wolf Society Foundation is happy to announce that we have partnered with One Tree Planted to plant trees! One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is dedicated to global reforestation. They plant trees to restore nature and biodiversity. They also raise awareness about the importance of trees, offer businesses a simple sustainability solution, and motivate younger generations to do something positive for the environment.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*AvJYqtbVspQXCQPqX5B70w.jpeg"></figure>One Tree Planted is on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife.
Reforestation helps to restore forests that have been degraded or deforested, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity habitat. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/612/1*y3swHtet5g6KmqUfDF70nw.png"></figure>At Wolf Society we are currently supporting following reforestation projects by One Tree Planted:
Renature Mata Nacional de Leiria in Portugal
Before the wildfire of 2017, this was a glorious forest of old growth pines and other trees, a place for many nature-based activities such as walking, cycling, and picnicking, where along the routes through this forest, various viewpoints, picnic spots and natural water sources could be found.
Unfortunately, in 2017, in just 24 hours, almost the entire forest was burned, with little more than 1,500 hectares remaining intact today. While these pine trees burnt, 700 years of history was going up in flames, as did the future of this forest.
<a href="https://wolfsociety.medium.com/renature-leiria-portugal-b52789fe47ef">Read more about this project &gt;&gt;</a>
Restoring the Southwest Coast of Guatemala
Mangrove forests and landscapes along Guatemala’s Pacific coastal marine zone are essential to regional environmental stability and vital to the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of coastal people who earn a living through fishing, tourism, and farming.
Unfortunately, coastal landscapes and mangroves including the Manchón Guamuchal Nature Reserve are threatened by harmful activities on coastal land such as illegal logging and deforestation in watershed regions, solid and liquid waste pollution, and unnatural diversion dams that cause unbalanced hydrological conditions leading to a consistent deterioration of the mangrove ecosystem.
<a href="https://wolfsociety.medium.com/restoring-the-southwest-coast-of-guatemala-36d78911441c">Read more about this project &gt;&gt;</a>
Reforestation and Landscape Restoration in Malawi
Deforestation in the areas where we are active is mainly caused by the need of wood for construction, production of charcoal, firewood for cooking, and wood for making bricks and tobacco curing. To relieve pressure on forests we are assisting in planting woodlots and reforestation, but are also teaching local women how to build <a href="https://wellsforzoe.org/wfz-clay-brick-rocket-stove/">clay brick rocket stoves</a> which are more efficient (and safer) than open pit fires.
Our long term goals in all areas are to halt soil erosion completely and build up a soil layer inside the forests and to provide habitat for wildlife. Additionally the goal is to provide firewood &amp; timber for locals in self-managed forest which will be in a condition enabling Assisted Natural Regeneration at a later stage. Another general goal ist to enable the growth of additional successor species to live in the forests like mushrooms, grasses and mammals.
<a href="https://wolfsociety.medium.com/malawi-reforestation-landscape-restoration-5b09e5befa7">Read more about this project &gt;&gt;</a>
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/833/1*fIbIQOFvjFMONeKgOJtXdA.jpeg"></figure>About Wolf Society Foundation
The wolf society financially supports projects that heal the earth’s climate. Each such project needs funding in addition to enthusiasm, perseverance, and human resources. To make a significant global impact, we need a continuous flow of work and funds into quality wildlife conservation and rewilding projects. The wolf society believes in the tremendous power of the arts and artists to promote conservation. The wolf society brings together the arts, the public and the latest NFT and blockchain technologies. Together we harness the social capital needed to protect the earth’s natural resources and climate.
We raise the necessary funds by selling artwork from collaborating artists, which can be purchased in nft digital format. By purchasing nft artworks or entire nft collections, you will support our partner conservation projects, the artists themselves and the wolf society project. In addition, nft technology allows us to reward your contribution with many real-world benefits and perks. The specific benefits you will receive by purchasing and holding nft artworks offered on wolf society are listed in the details of each nft artwork. the wolf society is constantly working to add new benefits that will enrich your spirit and life. together, we are creating a better place to live, for everyone.
<a href="https://wolfsociety.org/art-impact">Let’s make Art Impact!</a>
<img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=f7bbea1872a2" width="1" height="1" alt="">

The Wolf Society Foundation partners with One Tree Planted

The warming of the planet due to human activity is accelerating, according to a study released Thursday by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), AFP reports. Its rate has increased by an unprecedented 0.2 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the amount of emissions in the atmosphere has also increased to an annual average of 54 billion tonnes.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*_RpdWaBYMqT7eBFD"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@markusspiske?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Markus Spiske</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>The coming longer and more intense heatwaves will pose a deadly risk to people living in large areas of Southeast Asia and in the equatorial regions of Africa and Latin America, according to research.
“Although we have not yet reached 1.5 degrees Celsius warming (compared to the pre-industrial era), the amount of greenhouse gases that humanity can produce without exceeding the carbon budget is likely to be exhausted in the next few years,” said the study’s lead author, Piers Forster, professor of physics at the University of Leeds.
The so-called carbon budget has halved since the last report in 2021, according to the IPCC. It is a prediction of how much emissions may be released into the atmosphere before temperatures reach a threshold 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Crossing that threshold will trigger irreversible changes around the world, according to scientists.
To avert disaster, greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by at least 40 percent by 2030 and carbon neutrality achieved by 2050.
<h3>IPCC on Twitter: "Heat, malnutrition and harm from wildfire are some of the adverse impacts on health and well-being from human-caused #climatechange that will continue to intensify, according to #IPCC's Synthesis Report.➡️ https://t.co/zAMzd12lR7 https://t.co/MKJqOK68ID / Twitter"</h3>
Heat, malnutrition and harm from wildfire are some of the adverse impacts on health and well-being from human-caused #climatechange that will continue to intensify, according to #IPCC's Synthesis Report.➡️ https://t.co/zAMzd12lR7 https://t.co/MKJqOK68ID
The new data also showed that the move away from burning coal is paradoxically linked to faster warming. That’s because there are fewer polluting particles in the air, which shield the Earth from the full force of the sun’s rays and slow it down by up to half a degree Celsius.
<img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=503be26b2d6e" width="1" height="1" alt="">

Recent analysis has shown that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate

In response to the raids against climate activists, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the importance of climate protection and activist action. Protesters are putting immense pressure on governments and financial authorities to take greater action.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*RIwAghwcXhZYNlOvYc-twg.jpeg"><figcaption>Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/dmncwndrlch-3075312/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4891280">Dominic Wunderlich</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4891280">Pixabay</a></figcaption></figure>“Climate activists, driven by the moral voice of young people, pursue their goals even on the darkest of days. They need to be protected and we need them now more than ever,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
At crucial moments, he said, demonstrators make a significant contribution to forcing governments and economic leaders to do more. Governments are responsible for enforcing laws and ensuring security, according to Dujarric. However, he stressed that people have the right to nonviolent protests.
German police searched 15 properties in seven federal states as part of an investigation into the financing of the environmental group Last Generation (Letzte Generation). The raids were linked to various lawsuits filed over the past year against members of the group. The seven suspects, aged between 22 and 38, face charges of forming or supporting a criminal organisation. The group denies involvement in criminal activity.
Last Generation activists have paralysed rush hour traffic in German cities several times in recent months in an attempt to pressure the government to take stronger action against climate change. They also used to stick to the road during protests. Some activists have also stuck to various works of art in German museums and galleries.
The group is calling for Germany to stop using fossil fuels altogether by 2030 and for the government to take a number of short-term measures, including lowering the maximum speed limit on motorways to 100 kilometres per hour, to reduce emissions from transport.
<img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=5cfd77600021" width="1" height="1" alt="">

UN chief highlights importance of climate activists

Deforestation in the areas where we are active is mainly caused by the need of wood for construction, production of charcoal, firewood for cooking, and wood for making bricks and tobacco curing. To relieve pressure on forests we are assisting in planting woodlots and reforestation, but are also teaching local women how to build <a href="https://wellsforzoe.org/wfz-clay-brick-rocket-stove/">clay brick rocket stoves</a> which are more efficient (and safer) than open pit fires.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*fV7xzAHnPqm4ea73UzZnbA.jpeg"><figcaption>Clay brick rocket stoves, Malawi</figcaption></figure>We additionally are currently investigating the use and promotion of solar cooking solutions with the German organization <a href="http://www.solare-bruecke.org/index.php/en/">Solare Brücke</a> and are planning to add a solar community kitchen to at least one of the community nurseries by means of another project. We provide sources of alternative income and we hold meetings with all involved and emphasize the importance of especially protecting mature indigenous forests for various reasons.
In order to achieve a high level of community engagement and to tackle the inherent problem of “woodlots and reforestation”, we will not only assist in planting tree seedlings for reforestation now but also assist in introducing a continuous management cycle of harvesting and replanting trees from woodlots and reforested areas in a few years, thereby granting local planters ownership of their own forests.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*Y-MFHc1rNjaOjReYWyMOWQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Embangweni Pano, Malawi</figcaption></figure>To ensure best practices we are led by the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.15498">ten golden rules for reforestation</a> recently published by A. Hardwick and A. Antonelli.
1) Protect existing forest first
We support community forest committees that are safeguarding protected forest areas in some of our areas of activity.
2) Work together
We are active in all areas upon request by communities. We organize meetings with all traditional and local authorities to discuss the objectives and ways of achieving them. These are individual planters in the form of tree planting clubs, village chiefs, Traditional Authorities, Forestry Commission Officers, local government regulators, Beekeepers Association, Herbalists and Ignatius Malota (the Assistant Curator for the <a href="http://www.sdnp.org.mw/enviro/herb/">National Herbarium &amp; Botanic Gardens of Malawi</a> as well as <a href="https://www.conservationmanagementservices.co.za/profile.php">Ken Coetzee and his team</a> especially to implement erosion-control.
One of our general focuses is to increase gender equality in Malawi and at all activities, it is mandatory to involve women. Currently, we have employed 70% of women in all tree planting-related activities.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/810/1*Cn-TCxOGtzzflknWZhBpwA.jpeg"></figure>3) Aim to maximize biodiversity recovery to meet multiple goals
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iXudXqSP6DXeh1M108_A2a1gTPfk6ZxyoM1-Zh_DGSs/edit?pli=1#heading=h.omuzfjp8a56a">Projects</a> (Google Docs on demand)
4) Select appropriate areas for reforestation
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iXudXqSP6DXeh1M108_A2a1gTPfk6ZxyoM1-Zh_DGSs/edit?pli=1#heading=h.omuzfjp8a56a">Projects</a> (Google Docs on demand)
5) Use natural regeneration wherever possible
For Project A, C, and D (for more information check the Project links to Google docs above) nearly no indigenous tree species or even decent ground cover is left in the areas so the option of Natural Regeneration is rarely possible, but through the planting of fruit trees known to attract seed-dispersing wildlife, we hope to increase the odds of this additionally happening.
6) Plant species to maximise biodiversity
We are only promoting the nursing and planting of <a href="https://wellsforzoe.org/indigenous-trees-species/">indigenous forest tree species</a>. Species are compared with recommendations of <a href="https://vegetationmap4africa.org/">VECEA map</a>. All involved are surveyed about which species they would prefer to plant. Additionally, we contact traditional medicine men as well.
The focus is multi-faceted:
- on non-invasive indigenous fast-growing (we crosscheck all selected species with the <a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/product/qi">Invasive Species Compendium</a>, soil-improving trees providing ground cover and a quick improvement of microclimate with a possibility of a short harvesting cycle;
- on possible further benefits like providing food and habitat for wildlife, especially insects, birds, and mammals (monkeys, bats);
- and also additionally on species with medicinal properties that are highly valued and thereby selected.
7) Use resilient plant material
As it is not common in Malawi to collect and nurse indigenous tree seeds it can be challenging to find the seeds in the required amounts and genetic variability ourselves but we are receiving seeds from the botanic gardens who ensure us that they conform to best practices in this regard. They maintain a wide variety of species and advise us which species to grow in where. Additionally, we will be transplanting few seedlings from the indigenous protected forest (Project A) to increase the biodiversity of planted seedlings.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*evbFkh84o2UH0YksJjijYA.jpeg"></figure>8) Plan ahead for infrastructure
We have six huge community nurseries in different areas right now: WfZ Centre Nursery, Enyezini Nursery, Misuku Nursery 1, Misuku Nursery 2, Kaswiti Nursery, Embangweni Nursery.
Being active in the area for more than 15 years with all our different projects we are aware of most obstacles that might come up. Indeed it is because of this that we are invited to particular areas and offered existing infrastructure or ground to occupy for the duration of the projects.
9) Learn by doing
We perform protocolled seed germination trials at our <a href="https://wellsforzoe.org/2018/11/05/lusangazi-farm/">eco farm in Lusangazi</a>] just outside Mzuzu before ordering or nursing large amounts. As we receive seeds from Botanics they also advise us on the most promising methodology. We have come up with a thorough monitoring process to improve upon previous results based on data in a scientific iterative process.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*CRfjpSSOJe8gqrybJ-McDA.jpeg"></figure>10) Make it pay
Having a positive impact on the lives of the poorest is the main goal. We are paying more than 400 workers this planting season to dig planting holes and are giving community tree planters a variety of free fruit tree seedlings as a planting incentive, enabling the possibility of fruit selling and other Non-Timber-Forest-Products (NTFPs).
We also include the Beekeepers Association in the planning stage to make sure that their requirements in terms of species suitable for beekeeping are met as well. We are regularly told by the Traditional Authorities of the areas that the prospect of firewood woodlots on their doorstep and improved growing conditions is also payment in itself towards a better future but the various incentives reach right down to the planters.
<h4>Our Restoration Methods</h4>
Riparian-zone restoration
Most riverbanks in the areas where we are active are severely degraded with few to no vegetation cover remaining. The goal is to plant indigenous trees and shrubs at river shores and smaller streams to reduce erosion, slow downstream flow, filter water and create habitat for unique riverine flora &amp; fauna resulting in a diverse resilient functioning riparian-forest-system additionally preventing the drying out of riverbeds in the dry season. Only indigenous species which are well adapted and typically found in this habitat will be planted. A buffer zone on both sides of the rivers &amp; streams of 10–20 m will help to stabilize soil and improve microclimatic conditions.
Assisted Natural Regeneration
As many indigenous forest trees only thrive in shaded conditions in the first years, climax species can be planted in deforested land now only when covered with shrub/bushland with medium density. Firebreaks will be established through the planting of fire-tolerant indigenous trees and selective removal of grasses.
Reforestation
Some areas where we are active are completely barren with no vegetation cover even during the rainy season. This hints at removal of fertile soil and most likely of all dormant seeds. Together with the team of <a href="https://www.conservationmanagementservices.co.za/profile.php">Ken Coetzee</a> we will implement soil erosion control methods to decrease rain-water-runoff.
In these areas, a mix of indigenous mostly nitrogen-fixing pioneer species will be planted to rapidly establish a nutrient-rich litter layer and enable the development of suitable conditions for later-succession species (which will be planted after 3–4 years through Enrichment Planting).
To achieve a high impact in barren areas in a relatively short time frame a high planting density (~15000 trees/ha) is feasible — additionally, it is a powerful tool to convince local farmers to use nature-based solutions: a fundamental change in the landscape will be directly observable in 1–2 years.
As the planting density of 10,000–15,000 trees/ha is relatively high we will accompany a transition to a community-managed regenerative forest by pruning or harvesting a small percentage of the well-coppicing pioneer species after 4–5 years and replanting them with climax species.
The whole idea of this is to provide alternatives to firewood extracted from the few remaining old-growth trees in high mountain areas or surrounding forests. The total agreed number of trees will remain standing.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/810/1*idOqHAIik6iTKLVRstH2ug.jpeg"><figcaption>Chitipa area, Malawi</figcaption></figure>Erosion control
In some areas where we are active erosion threatens food security, especially of low-income households. Areas with Interill, Sheet and rill erosion will be planted with indigenous forest trees, combined with additional measures (woven wooden fences or dams to decrease flow-speed) as well as the planting of grasses (infertile vetiver or indigenous grass species or oats (which are known not to be invasive but well suitable)) with extensive root systems. Gully-slopes will be planted with additional waterlogging-tolerant species (e.g. Sesbania Sesban) where possible.
Agroforestry trees
Listening closely to the needs of <a href="https://wellsforzoe.org/planters/">planters</a> who often requested inorganic fertilizer (which we do not provide, as we insist on Nature-based solutions) we see their need to improve soil quality and will thereby provide indigenous agroforestry nitrogen-fixating species well proven to increase yields especially of maize and other staple-crops through the improvement of nutrient-levels and increased water-retention when planted at an average distance of about 5m.
It also allows for natural fencing and additionally allows for a personal woodlot for farmers. As we are following a participatory approach we can not yet give a prediction of how many trees will be planted in agroforestry systems especially as it is private land of the farmers but we will do provide educational training about how especially nitrogen-fixing trees should affect their harvest and which additional benefits come with it.
Having promoted agroforestry species in many areas in Malawi we estimate a high adoption rate. As this can not be guaranteed this will be an additional benefit of this project and any number of trees can be seen as a surplus.
Fruit trees
Community planters and nursery workers will receive fruit trees as additional rewards to plant on their own lands. This will ensure high participation for labour-intensive tasks as well as food security for often malnourished families (Mango, Oranges, Tangerines, Avocado, Pawpaw, Apples, Guava, Brazilian Nuts, Mulberry, Mexican apple).
<h4>Ecological Benefits</h4>
Our long term goals in all areas are to halt soil erosion completely and build up a soil layer inside the forests and to provide habitat for wildlife. Additionally the goal is to provide firewood &amp; timber for locals in self-managed forest which will be in a condition enabling Assisted Natural Regeneration at a later stage. Another general goal ist to enable the growth of additional successor species to live in the forests like mushrooms, grasses and mammals. Exact number of benefitting species can not be given at this stage.
<h4>Community Benefits</h4>
Employment
We are employing community workers for nursery work, fencing, soil restoration activities, planting seedlings, watering, and more.
Education
We support girls with Girl Student Education. Namely with food, clothing, school fees, additional courses, and counseling. Additionally, we educate all workers on how to grow their own seedlings and how to properly take care of planted trees, as well as we of course teach them all we know about the importance of indigenous trees
Empowerment
A majority of paid workers are female
Efficient cookstoves
We don’t only encourage tree planting but also do courses with women and show them how to build clay &amp; brick rocket stoves to save firewood. This benefits them, the forests and the climate.
Protection
We support the community and their forest committee to protect the protected forest areas
Families supported
We estimate there will be a total number of about 600 families supported. After planting season we will be able to give you an exact number and many personal stories of many of them.
<h4>Project Summary</h4>
Country: Malawi Planting Location: <a href="https://maps.wellsforzoe.org/?lat=-11.477446&amp;lng=33.859834&amp;zoom=17">Enyezini</a>, <a href="https://maps.wellsforzoe.org/?lat=-9.693743&amp;lng=33.496838&amp;zoom=15">Misuku</a>, <a href="https://maps.wellsforzoe.org/?lat=-11.315811&amp;lng=33.953992&amp;zoom=18">Kaswiti</a>, <a href="https://maps.wellsforzoe.org/?lat=-12.110587&amp;lng=33.421455&amp;zoom=18">Embangweni</a> Trees to Plant: 500,000 Start Date: 1st December 2023 End Date: 31st March 2024
Key Impact Areas Soil Stability and Erosion Control, Biodiversity/Habitats, Watershed/Riparian Restoration, Climate Stability, Gender Equality
Tree Species All indigenous forestry species include: Albiza Versicolor, Senegalia Polyacantha, Afzelia Quanzensis, Khaya Nyasica, Faidherbia Albida, Terminalia Sericea, Tephrosia Vogelii, Pterocarpus Angolensis, Acacia galpinii / Senegalia galpinii, Erythrophleum, Albizia Adianthifolia, Sesbania Sesban, Ziziphus Abyssinica, Piliostigma/Bauhinia Thonningii.
Fruit trees include: Mango, Oranges, Tangerines, Avocado, Pawpaw, Apples, Guava, Brazilian Nuts, Mulberry, Mexican apple.
Support this project
You can support this project at <a href="https://wolfsociety.org/art-impact">wolfsociety.org</a> This project is supervised by <a href="https://onetreeplanted.org/">onetreeplanted.org</a>
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Malawi Reforestation & Landscape Restoration

Mangrove forests and landscapes along Guatemala’s Pacific coastal marine zone are essential to regional environmental stability and vital to the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of coastal people who earn a living through fishing, tourism, and farming.
Unfortunately, coastal landscapes and mangroves including the Manchón Guamuchal Nature Reserve are threatened by harmful activities on coastal land such as illegal logging and deforestation in watershed regions, solid and liquid waste pollution, and unnatural diversion dams that cause unbalanced hydrological conditions leading to a consistent deterioration of the mangrove ecosystem.
This is an interconnected environmental problem causing disruptions to feeding and nesting areas for coastal migratory birds, increased coastal erosion, and greater vulnerability of the region to changing weather patterns, like storms and high winds that contribute to forest fires. Importantly, as livelihood opportunities decline with the degradation of mangrove forests, pressures on surrounding forests and ecosystems continues to grow.
<figure><img alt="Restoration site in San Marcos, Guatemala" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*DRqfgWzN3FtOqYGgW_s0uA.jpeg"><figcaption>Restoration site in San Marcos, Guatemala</figcaption></figure>The Solution is Reforestation
To overcome these challenges, this project proposes to plant and monitor the growth of 1,330,000 mangrove and broadleaf tree species to restore 1,025 hectares within the mangrove ecosystem of Guatemala over four years from December 2021 to November 2025. During this period, we will increase the number of mangroves planted within the Manchón Guamuchal mangrove forest as well as expand planting activities to include planting broadleaf tree species in local farms and watershed areas surrounding the mangrove ecosystem.
Project Activities
The project activities will support regional MLMs (Mesas Locales de Mangle) to strengthen their community-based model of mangrove restoration and ensure successful growth and monitoring of at least 450,000 red, black and white mangrove trees, planted at a density of approximately 20,000 seedlings per hectare, and 880,000 broadleaf tree species, planted at a density of 1,111 seedlings per hectare.
The Rainforest Alliance team will train the communities on four reforestation and restoration strategies: (1) direct planting; (2) injecting mangrove seedlings with growth promoting bacteria; (3) developing nurseries to grow trees that will be planted in degraded areas; and (4) using natural regenerative processes.
Project staff and partners will support communities to select planting sites, conduct site preparation and maintenance, collect seedlings, plant seedlings, and monitor tree growth.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*NbKJvx59nfmaEiMY7hLyOg.jpeg"><figcaption>Degraded landscape in Retalhuleu - potential restoration site, Guatemala</figcaption></figure>Partners &amp; Experience
The Rainforest Alliance is well-positioned for the project’s success with over 25 years of experience working in Guatemala and over 5 years working in the country’s Pacific coastal zone. Over the years we have built trusted relationships with community members and local partners working to restore mangroves.
This project will leverage the capacity of existing community-based organizational structures called Local Mangrove Roundtables (Mesas Locales de Mangle or MLMs) as well as landscape partners including Guatemala’s National Forest Institute (Instituto Nacional de Bosques or INAB), Private Institute for Climate Change Research (Instituto Privado de Investigación sobre Cambio Climático or ICC), National Council of Protected Areas (Consejo Nacional de Area Protegidas or CONAP), private sector companies, and municipalities to achieve improved ecological benefits and increased livelihood opportunities for communities along the Pacific coastal marine zone.
Notably, this project aligns with the Rainforest Alliance’s strategy in Guatemala for the next four years and this project will work in many the same landscapes involved in the piloting of LandScale, a tool to assess and communicate landscape sustainability that aligns existing plans and resources, monitors progress toward common goals, and communicates impact to attract more financing and support.
Ecological Benefits
Planting mangrove and broadleaf trees has many ecological benefits along the Pacific coastal marine zone. Mangrove trees and shrubs grow in saline lagoons that connect freshwater to saltwater, making these forests some of the most productive, diverse, and complex. Broadleaf trees planted in the surrounding regions protect these vital mangrove ecosystems. Ecological benefits of this project include
Increased biodiversity and ecological health Mangrove regions are crucial habitats for more than 118 species of migratory birds, 198 species of fish and crustaceans, 57 amphibians, 52 reptiles, and several species of mammals. Mangroves provide areas for breeding, nesting, and feeding and healthy mangrove roots provide refuge for reptiles and amphibians.
Increased water quality Mangroves filter sediments to eliminate biological contaminants.
Improved climate stability through carbon capture Mangroves and broadleaf trees act as carbon reservoirs and planting them will expand blue carbon sinks as they absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon. This protects coastal regions against extreme weather patterns, such as floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes
Reduced shoreline destruction By shielding coastlines from storm damage and waves, mangroves help minimize property damage and loss of life from severe weather patterns
Decreased erosion Mangroves and broadleaf trees are essential to preventing shoreline erosion, acting as buffers that catch pollutants and materials washed downstream, as well as stabilizing land elevation through sediment accretion.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*APQf_ts0ZwFWfX-77hOxGQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Ocosito River in Retalhuleu - the location for where a majority of river side restoration will take place</figcaption></figure>Community benefits
Coastal communities depend heavily on the health of ecosystems in these regions, as livelihood activities are centered on the production and commercialization of fish species and crustaceans, as well as tropical fruits and wood products, such as wood fibers and primary construction materials. Tourism services, including recreational fishing and birdwatching, are also prominent community businesses in the region.
By restoring the degraded lands and mangrove forests, the project will support diversified income streams and increased livelihood opportunities for more than 400 families in both the short and long term:
Restored forest ecosystem in the watershed will provide a source of primary wood materials, often used for the construction of local housing and household items and tools, as well as for cooking.
Restored mangroves will contribute to a more balanced and healthy abundance of fish and crustacean species, as well as migratory birds, eventually helping to repair the struggling ecotourism sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where relevant, community members will have increased access to government forest and other incentives programs, including an innovative food-for-work program through which community members will receive basic food items in exchange for tree planting services.
Project Summary
Country: Guatemala Province: Departments of San Marcos, Retalhuleu and Suchitepéquez Planting Location: Ocós and La Blanca departments of San Marcos; Champerico and Retalhuleu departments of Retalhuleu; Mazatenango and Santo Domingo departments of Suchitepéquez Area: 1,025 hectares Trees to Plant: 345,000 Start Date: 19th January 2024 End Date: 30th November 2024
Key Impact Areas: Forest Fire Restoration, Soil Stability and Erosion Control, Biodiversity/Habitats, Social/Community Impact, Watershed/Riparian Restoration, Climate Stability, Indigenous Groups, Youth Engagement and Education
Tree Species: Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. f.), Buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erectus), Gunacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), Matilisguate (Tabebuia rosea), Aripin (Caesalpinia velutina), Cenicero (Albizia saman), Madre Cacao (Gliricidia sepium), Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra).
Approximately 25% of trees planted will be mangrove species (black, red white, and buttonwood) and approximately 75% will be broadleaf tree species (non-mangrove species listed above).
Support this project
You can support this project at <a href="https://wolfsociety.org/art-impact">wolfsociety.org</a> This project is supervised by <a href="https://onetreeplanted.org/">onetreeplanted.org</a>
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Restoring the Southwest Coast of Guatemala

The Leiria Pine Forest was initially planted by King Afonso III in the thirteenth century. This was planted to halt the both the progress and the degradation of dunes, and to protect the city of Leiria and surrounding farmlands from the encroachment of wind-blown sand coming from these dunes. Between 1279 and 1325, this forested area was increased by King D. Dinis to it´s current dimensions, covering an area of 11.500ha.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*8ODbddm06w99LXxrPP_MZw.jpeg"><figcaption>Mata Nacional de Leiria, Portugal</figcaption></figure>This pine forest was particularly important to the Portuguese during the ‘Period of the Discoveries’, as the wood from these pines was used for the construction of the Portuguese Caravel (an ocean-going ship). The pitch (or resin) used to protect these wood-constructed vessels, was also extracted from the pine trees of the Leiria Forest.
Classified as a public protected area, this forest was a source of wood that is extracted via a sustainable production system. This aspect of sustainability allows the forest to be enjoyed as a place of recreation. Unfortunately, in 2017, in just 24 hours, almost the entire forest was burned, with little more than 1,500 hectares remaining intact today. While these pine trees burnt, 700 years of history was going up in flames, as did the future of this forest. Between January and October of 2017, the country lost 418,000 hectares of forest and woodlands. Before the wildfire of 2017, this was a glorious forest of old growth pines and other trees, a place for many nature-based activities such as walking, cycling, and picnicking, where along the routes through this forest, various viewpoints, picnic spots and natural water sources could be found.
As a forest restoration project, in an area where wildfires are common and soil fertility is low, notwithstanding the effects of a changing climate, there is the need to initiate large-scale restoration interventions focusing on these aspects. Opportunities do exist to restore soil fertility and to enhance the local water cycle by planting endemic, fire resistant and fire resilient plants thereby enhancing the natural propagation of cover vegetation protecting the soils of this area. These activities support both ecological resilience and climate adaptation, while also reducing local livelihood vulnerabilities to shocks, such as wildfires.
Under these circumstances, this project aims to restore as much of the landscape as possible. In so doing, this project supports the recovery of biodiversity that in turn supports the return of local ecosystem services as well as ecosystem resilience and adaptation to climate change. Collectively, this restoration action aims to avoid the ‘tipping point’ where desertification of this area is highly likely. These intentional actions involve the planting of endemic species, such as maritime pine, as well as cork oaks and strawberry trees.
The planting will be carried out by a skilled team with a focus on local employment and training.
As part of the social regeneration of this area, materials, machinery and vehicle rentals, the propagation of plants, and labour will be hired or acquired locally, the aim of which is support the local economy whenever possible. Within this strategy, our partners will also develop an awareness and education campaign along with activities aimed at involving the local community that relate to landscape-based conservation, the fostering of forest protection and conservation, and the mitigation of wildfires.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*MNkvkBveTOrwTNU02z3K_A.jpeg"><figcaption>Mata Nacional de Leiria, Portugal</figcaption></figure>Ecological Benefits
The landscape of the Leiria Pine Forest is characterized by a continuous coastal dune system. These dunes form a plain of sandy substrate with both resinous trees and bushes. Interspersed within this dune complex are small ephemeral freshwater lakes that are filled via seasonal waterlines. The typology of the dunes and the specificity of the intra-dune spaces, along with the resilience of the primary dunes and good condition of longitudinal dunes makes the Leiria Pine Forest an important Portuguese landscape recognize in terms of its ecological, cultural and historical values.
The area most affected by the 2017 wildfire ~were the dunes with Maritime pine. Within this area, other important vegetative components, such as the Fire tree (Myrica faya), along with associated undergrowth habitats were severely affected by this fire. This scrubland type vegetation of the Leiria Pine Forest is of a mixed composition, which includes a diversity of endemic species of great ecological importance, such as the Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), the Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), the Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus), the Fire tree (Myrica faya), the Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), and the Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus). The shrub formations that constitute the undergrowth of the pine forest are formed by gorse and heather, in which the Tree heather (Erica arborea), the Common heather (Calluna vulgaris), the Gorse (Ulex europaeus), the Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), the Narrow-leaved Mock Privet (Phillyrea angustifolia), the Myrtle (Myrtus communis) and the Mediterranean buckthorn (Ramnus alaternus) all stand out. The Alder (Alnus glutinosa), the Black Poplar (Populus nigra), along with Willow species (Salix spp.), are typically found in the river corridors, coexisting with the Common oak (Quercus robur), the Red oak (Quercus rubra), the Common walnut (Juglans regia) and the Chestnut (Castanea sativa).
In this landscape where the forest dominates, a reasonable faunal richness coexists. This is mostly due to the shrub layer which is rich in food resources as well as to the existence of primary water lines and several dispersed water collection points, making up the system of freshwater lakes. Found in this area great variety of game, amphibians and bird species, including birds of prey, including insectivorous birds that look for food in tree trunks, constituting an important phytosanitary control for this forest.
This project will positively impact at least 50 associated endemic tree and shrub species, as well as approximately 54 endemic faunal (animal) species that exist in this rich and unique landscape, and that were severely impacted by the wildfire.
Apart from the direct impact of the restoration of these species through the recovery of pre-fire habitats supporting the recovery of biodiversity, the project also aims to have a positive impact on the recovery of ecosystem health and integrity, supporting ecosystem resilience, relating to disturbances such as wildfires, and adaptation, relating to climate change.
The restoration of these habitats also has the potential for supporting livelihood sustainability, as well as enhancing measures that support local fire-control regimes. Combined, this restoration process aims to enhancing the future potential of these, now degraded, landscapes to meet demands for a range of ecosystem services, such as cultural services. Being adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean the preservation of this area will also contribute to mitigate coastal erosion resulting from a rise in sea level, a foreseeable problem of the near future.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*1s1AhkprZtabScO7YJvf3w.jpeg"><figcaption>Mata Nacional de Leiria, Portugal</figcaption></figure>Community Benefits
First, recovering land potential, the productive capacity of land, and returning ecosystem health and integrity (functioning ecosystems) supports mechanisms that ensure and protect local livelihood sustainability over the long-term. This support extends to neighbouring farmlands areas that persist and that were the reason for the development of this forest in the first instance. By contributing to ecosystem resilience and adaptation, as well as supporting local fire-control measures, this project should enhance the future potential of these, now degraded, landscapes to meet demands now and in the future for a range of ecosystem services.
Leiria has a population of 128,640 inhabitants, who still honour the importance that the historical aspects of this area which is embedded in the history of Portugal. Unfortunately, this memory was tarnished by the 2017 wildfire. Nowadays, despite the impact of the fire of 2017, the importance of this area remains, not only symbolically, but also as a place of leisure where families travel daily throughout the year to carry out sports, educational and social activities. The goal then of this this project is to contribute to these happy moments, once again making them a reality. By involving of the local authorities along with the local community (creating what is referred to as a ‘coalition of the willing’) provides support for this area to once again be a legacy for the future.
Secondly, as the aim is to recruit local people, and to acquire local goods and materials, this project aims to impact both the social and the economic aspects of the Leiria. This strategy not only brings benefits to the local economy but also contributes to reducing the project’s ecological footprint. The estimate is that around 90% of the funding will be directly invested in the local economy through the creation of 12 to 15 seasonal jobs, via the rental of machinery for land preparation and from the acquisition of locally supplied plants.
Finally, one of the project missions is to always include the local community. In this way, during the planting season, the intention is to occasionally promote planting activities for volunteers and for local schools, not only to reinforce the ecological importance of this area, but also to raise awareness around the severity of impacts such as wildfires and the long-term effects a changing climate will have on this forest ecosystem. Through academic partnerships already in place, we will develop a system to monitor and evaluate the impacts of this intervention, as well as disseminate the findings to better understand ‘best practices’ for reforestation and ecosystem restoration.
Project Summary
Country: Portugal Province: Leiria Planting Location: Mata Nacional de Leiria (a Portuguese Public Protected Area) Area: 11.500ha Trees to Plant: 312,500 Start Date: 1st January 2024 End Date: 31st December 2024
Key Impact Areas: Forest Fire Restoration, Soil Stability and Erosion Control, Biodiversity/Habitats, Social/Community Impact
Tree Species: Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) — 90%; Stone pine (Pinus pinea) — 3%; Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) — 3%; Cork oak (Quercus suber) — 2%; Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) — 0,5%; Alder (Alnus glutinosa) — 0,5%; Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) — 0,5%; Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) — 0,5%.
Support this project
You can support this project at <a href="https://wolfsociety.org/art-impact">wolfsociety.org</a> This project is supervised by <a href="https://onetreeplanted.org/">onetreeplanted.org</a>
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Renature Leiria - Portugal

Last year was the second warmest on record in Europe. It was accompanied by a number of climatic extremes. The combination of the warmest summer on record and a dry winter led to a record loss of Alpine glaciers.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*qu8MgR2COcG3ND_E"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@angarav?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Antonio Garcia</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>The European Union’s atmosphere and climate change monitoring agency Copernicus said in its <a href="https://climate.copernicus.eu/esotc/2022">2022 climate report</a>.
Europe has seen its highest ever number of hours of sunshine, which has brought unprecedented solar electricity production on the one hand, but increased risks to human health on the other, according to the report.
Last summer was Europe’s hottest on record, with 1.4 degrees Celsius above the average for the period 1991 to 2020. The summer heat and lack of snowfall led to the Alps losing a layer of ice equivalent to five cubic kilometres, according to the report.
However, the drought lasted not only in winter but also in summer, causing problems for farmers and water transport, for example.
Two thirds of Europe’s rivers had below-average levels last year and the average annual soil moisture was the second lowest in half a century.
“The report strongly draws attention to alarming climate changes, including the hottest summer on record in Europe, accompanied by heat waves in the Mediterranean and record temperatures in Greenland,” said Carlo Buontempo, head of Copernicus’ climate change service.
Understanding the dynamics of Europe’s climate is key to efforts to reduce the impacts of change on the continent, he said.
Extreme events can also have negative consequences for human health, climatologists say. Southern Europe, for example, had the highest number of days last year when heat was a health risk, according to the report.
Carbon emissions from numerous forest fires during the summer period were the highest in 15 years.
The EU agency’s report also discusses the impact of last year’s weather on Europe’s energy sector, which is also trying to speed up its transition to renewables in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The fact that Europe has seen the most sunshine in 40 years has had a positive impact on the above-average production of solar power plants. In contrast, onshore wind farms, especially in southern and central Europe, have produced less electricity due to weaker winds.
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Europe has experienced a year of extremes

The world has had its second warmest March on record. The EU’s Copernicus meteorological service announced this in its regular monthly report. Additionally, the second-lowest extent in the history of satellite data was observed for Antarctic sea ice.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*1J1U6fN0LE5ToUr5"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@nasa?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">NASA</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>Temperatures have risen across the globe
Temperatures above the average were recorded in a large area, which includes North Africa, southwestern Russia and much of Asia, leading to many new March temperature records being made.
March temperatures were higher than normal in southern and central Europe, and lower than usual in northern Europe. Eastern North America, Argentina, and its surrounding nations, much of Australia, and the Antarctic coast experienced unusually warm temperatures.
On the other hand, western and central North America experienced greater-than-normal coldness.
Sea ice is shrinking
Antarctic sea ice in March was the second lowest on record for satellite data, 28 percent below average. According to Union Service deputy director Samantha Burgess, “after a record low extent in February, Antarctic sea ice in March reached the second lowest extent in the 45-year satellite dataset, continuing a long-term trend of declining sea ice in the polar regions.” Sea ice concentration was well below average in all sectors of the ocean around Antarctica.
In the Arctic, March sea ice extent was four per cent below average, the fourth lowest value for March in the satellite data record.
In contrast to the mostly below-average sea ice concentrations in other sectors of the Arctic Ocean, concentrations were well above average in the Greenland Sea.
Above average dry and moist
Northern Europe and Turkey experienced more rain than the average amount in March, as indicated in the report.
In contrast, the areas that experienced above-average drought in March this year included most of the Iberian Peninsula, the Alpine arc, parts of central Europe, the eastern Balkans and the north-western Caspian coast. In the Iberian Peninsula, conditions were favourable for fires.
Drought was also above average in Argentina, southern Australia, south-west Africa and parts of Asia. In many cases, these conditions were associated with above-average temperatures.
Outside Europe, March 2023 was wetter than average in parts of the USA, several parts of Asia, the Horn of Africa, New Zealand, northern Australia, parts of southern Africa and Brazil. Heavy rainfall led to flooding in many regions.
<a href="https://climate.copernicus.eu/">The Copernicus Climate Change Service</a>, implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts on behalf of the European Commission with EU funding, regularly publishes monthly climate bulletins reporting on observed changes in global surface air temperature, sea ice coverage and hydrological variables.
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The world experienced the second-warmest March on record

It will take several years for the data to be incorporated into sea surface models. Researchers investigating Petermann Glacier found that it is melting at an accelerated rate, potentially leading to a rapid rise in global sea levels. They believe that similar trends could also be occurring on other glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica, potentially exacerbating the issue.
<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*GT5Ol5hnXPMGtguu"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@vincegx?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Vince Gx</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>Using satellite measurements of the glacier’s surface, the researchers found that Petermann jumped up and down in response to the tide, dramatically shifting its moorings on the seafloor.
This movement has excavated a large cave at the base of the glacier, and warm water is now regularly flowing under the glacier. “There’s a constant stream of seawater that gets several kilometres under the glacier and melts the ice,” says one of the study’s authors, Eric Rignot, a glaciologist at the University of California, Irvine, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. “We think this could change sea level projections,” he added.
The study was published a week ago in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
This may be just the beginning
The Petermann Glacier, about 15 kilometres wide, can be completely destroyed by greenhouse gas emissions. If the entire huge ice area behind Petermann were to melt, the world’s ocean levels could rise by more than 30 centimetres.
Yet Petermann has not changed as much as some of Greenland’s other glaciers. Partly, perhaps, because it is far to the north. But it has also seen significant changes. In 2010 and 2012, two huge chunks of ice broke off from it, losing about a third of its surface area. It has not recovered since then.
The glacier has also started to shift, as the point at which it is grounded at the bottom of the deep fjord has moved more than three kilometres inland into Greenland. This is due to the warming of the water in the fjord.
According to Rignot, the warming is still only a fraction of a degree, but the water is already slightly above freezing, warm enough to melt the ice. Especially at the depths and pressures that are observed where the iceberg meets the bed.
Petermann loses several billion tons of ice each year. Compared to a few other large glaciers in Antarctica or Greenland, it’s not that much, but it may just be the beginning.
Sea levels may rise faster
All of this probably reflects hardly observable changes at the point where the glacier joins the bed. However, satellites can detect changes in the height of the glacier’s surface, which can tell what’s going on underneath, as well as the glaciers’ response to tidal cycles.
This is what the new research captures — it shows that these cycles have a very big impact on glacier melting. Satellites have shown that there is in fact no real grounding ‘line’ where the glacier connects to the seabed — rather, it is a broad zone, more than a kilometre long, across which the glacier moves backwards and forwards across the seabed. This movement accelerates melting by allowing seawater to mix near and even under the glacier.
Research has also shown that a large cavity has now formed in the centre of the line. It is almost 20 square kilometres in size and in this area the ocean can enter and cause melting even without the help of the tides that move the glacier.
All of this means, scientists say, that we may need to adjust our current models to account for faster melting. This could “potentially double” sea level rise projections, the study says.
“There are probably a lot of other glaciers in the same situation with tidal scouring,” Rignot said. Petermann, he said, is a good example of what can happen in Antarctica, where there is much more ice than in Greenland.
The research was conducted by scientists from three U.S. institutions — the University of California, Irvine, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Houston — in collaboration with foreign colleagues from institutions in China, Finland, Germany and Italy.
Models don’t react quickly
The new measurements have stunned several scientists who were not involved in the study. But they were not convinced enough to draw the same conclusions.
“The melt rate we’ve quoted is very large, much larger than we had anticipated in this region,” said Hélène Seroussi, a glaciologist at Dartmouth College who uses models to study glaciers and sea level rise.
Seroussi said the models used to predict sea level rise will not immediately change based on the results of the current study.
“We are still many years away from properly implementing these processes in numerical models,” Seroussi said. “It is important to understand that there is always a long delay between the discovery of a new process and its inclusion in numerical models because we need to understand these processes perfectly from a physical point of view.” This requires further research, according to Seroussi.
Andreas Muenchow, a scientist at the University of Delaware who studies the Petermann Glacier, also cautions against jumping to conclusions.
“I really like the idea of the tidal heartbeat of the glacier’s grounding zone, where the glacier moves up with the inflow of warm water during high tide and moves down with the outflow of cold water during low tide,” Muenchow said.
However, he notes that “very high melt rates are indeed real, but they are estimated over very small areas.”
“My main conclusion is that the models need to be improved,” Muenchow concluded. “The study provides a sharper focus on what processes we need to investigate in the vicinity of floating glaciers in Greenland or Antarctica if we want to use models to predict future sea level rise.”
Overall, the new study again highlights that we don’t really know how quickly one of the biggest impacts of climate change — sea level rise due to melting glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica — will manifest itself. We are still finding out new details — and new reasons to assume that it could be faster than expected.
source: Washington Post
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