Short Stories

You’d better believe it. This one is not about counting humans, their houses or their cars – but about gulls, their nests and their chicks: the first census of urban gulls has only just begun. This citizen science initiative organised by the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), is asking all residents of Portugal to register online the gulls, nests and chicks to be found in their respective towns. All this information will contribute to the census of the yellow-legged gull. The main goal is an estimate of the number of breeding pairs and the distribution of its …

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, PIK for short, is a scientific institution whose renown extends far beyond country borders. Currently working with 356 international scientists from countries from all over the world, the Institute uses an interdisciplinary approach to look for realistic solutions – even advising governments – and publishes information on current developments in scientific journals. Four research departments are working on what is known as the Earth System Analysis (oceans, atmosphere, biosphere), on climate resilience (the consequences of climate change and adaptation), transformation paths (climate risks and development) and complexity research (machine learning, non-linear methods and …

Saturday 10th July 2021 Do we know the extension of the protective layer we call the atmosphere that envelops planet Earth? Yes? No? I’d be happy to tell you. It is ten kilometres. This pouch of air, which extends up a mere ten kilometres above the earth, provides the living space for all life forms on this planet. For you, for me and for all other living beings too. We breathe in and we breathe out, in and out, and in and out once more. And when we get into a car and start the engine – wait a minute …

Saturday 3rd July 2021 Really? And the first step is taken in which direction exactly? These days I only watch weather forecasts where meteorologists will actually shed light on the background to our chaotic weather events and explain how things are connected. You see, this is not only about WHAT happens WHEN, HOW and to WHOM, but also about WHY we are seeing variations in temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, for example. It’s about cause and effect. And that only works if you have the desire to learn and to pass on what you’ve learned. Think of a car accident. …

Saturday 26th June 2021 One of the things we do here at ECO123 is to come up with ideas for tomorrow’s democracy. My Via-Algarviana represents in fact another project to protect the climate. To start with, walking is climate neutral. This now is a challenge to see whether we can join forces to achieve something positive that people will still talk about in 100 years’ time. This is about our nature and whether we are able to give her something good of ourselves – instead of always just taking from her. It’s a special skill, to inspire, sensitise and motivate …

Saturday 19th June 2021 Today the question is not which job I go for. It’s about a single principle which is a part of every job: to end the burning of fossil-fuels, while at the same time using cleanly produced energy. With a farmer it’s about the use of the tractor, the combine harvester, of tools powered by petrol or diesel fuel. This is also about whether I treat animals with respect; if I transition my farm to organic agriculture or continue to poison nature with glyphosate. This is also about natural fertilisation and so much more. Piloting a plane …

Saturday, 12th June 2021 Portugal wasn’t handed democracy on a plate. And the way we treat the planet is the way we treat other people. We take what we can get. Somehow, humans are by their very nature exploiters and thieves, staring enviously at the things others have and they don’t. Only when we look into the mirror and question and challenge ourselves are we given the unique opportunity to reflect. Are we really the person we think we are? If you want to be treated well, why do you treat other people, animals and nature badly? This is a …

Saturday the 29th of May 2021 There is no me (you) and my (your) environment, only me (you) as an integrative part of this one world: an integral part rather than separated from it. There is a close bond between ourselves and nature, the living environment making up this planet. Is this true? Since starting to live in the forest I feel closer to the elements, now more so than ever. What does this mean in practice? For one, I’ve already had to familiarise myself with the consequences of climate change several times over. And I feel that I have …

Saturday 15th May 2021 Climate-friendly travel is in everyone’s interest. Many of us are now already planning their next trip. How about a long-distance hike through the natural and cultural landscape of Portugal?  Those who don’t want to forsake their holiday entirely should calculate the CO2 burden resulting from their trip. ECO123 recommends climate-friendly travel by train & bus, by bike and on foot. The Via Algarviana (300 km), the Fisherman’s Trail, part of the Rota Vicentina (223 km) and the Grande Rota Vale do Côa (220 km) for instance are three long-distance hikes out of many different trails on …