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Euronews
01-08-2025
- Euronews
From blue flags to ecolabels, how green are your beach holidays?
Summer 2025 is set to be one of the hottest on record in Europe, and millions will once again head for the coast. The Mediterranean is one of the world's favourite destinations, attracting one third of global tourists. However, its ecosystems are under growing pressure from the same sector that fuels its economy. In 2023 alone, the EU recorded 1.1 billion tourist nights, with Italy and Spain leading the way. It is easy to see why. European coasts offer more than just sea breeze. According to the European Union's 2024 bathing water assessment, more than 85% of Europe's bathing waters were rated 'excellent', with Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Greece topping the charts. But while the activities that draw people to the coast depend on clean and intact environments, tourists often leave places more polluted than they found them. A 2024 study published in the international journal Nature says that tourism's carbon emissions have grown at twice the rate of the global economy, and now account for 8.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Coastal tourists leave a trace of pollution behind 'In some hotspots, around 75% of annual waste is generated during the summer season', says Chloé Martin, Sustainable Tourism Programme Manager at Plan Bleu, the French activity centre of the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme. From the skies to the seafloor, every tourist leaves a mark on the environment. Martin points out that air travel, accommodation, and plastic waste are the main ecological concerns associated with coastal tourism. As tourism adapts to climate change, how can travellers make more sustainable choices? Climate change is projected to have a profound impact on beach tourism and challenge the industry's resilience, according to the EU Blue Economy Report 2025. Rising seas, hotter summers, and more frequent extreme weather events are reshaping the physical environment, ecosystems, and amenities that underpin coastal tourism. This can damage the reputation of many destinations, which is why sustainability and adaptability to climate change are now crucial for many seaside travel companies today. But as the promotion of ecolabels and sustainability certifications increases, how can travellers tell what is truly green and what is simply greenwashing? According to the European Commission, 53% of green claims in the EU are vague or misleading. 'They are used so much that people stop believing them,' warns Patricia Puig, a specialist in marine conservation and founder of Oceanogami, a Spanish consultancy company focused on ocean responsibility. Martin recommends that travellers check whether the issuing body is a private company or an independent public body, and whether the requirements are clear and publicly available, based on international standards that undergo regular verification. What to look out for on whale or dolphin watching tours? When booking a wildlife-watching tour, it is key to research beforehand. 'If you look at the promotional pictures of the company and you see a tourist touching an animal, that's not responsible', warns Puig. When anchoring a boat, a responsible company would prefer to stabilise the vessel by attaching it to a buoy where possible, rather than always anchoring in the sand, explains Puig, to prevent damaging the seabed. It is also advisable to keep a distance from the animals. How to snorkel and dive responsibly? 'We are guests in the marine environment', says Puig, reminding travellers that touching marine animals or plants can spread diseases and disrupt ecosystems. Even seemingly harmless actions, like removing pieces of coral as souvenirs, can cause lasting damage and should never be encouraged, especially by companies claiming to be sustainable. To enjoy these activities consciously, Puig recommends choosing certified operators that work with marine biologists and offer tours to small groups, thereby reducing environmental pressure. She also suggests using reef-safe sunscreen. And jet skiing? Jet skis disturb wildlife with noise and emissions. Some countries, such as Greece and Italy, are already limiting or banning the use of motorised watercraft in coastal areas to protect both wildlife and coastal communities. 'Underwater noise is very impactful for any organism, including invertebrates, corals, and fish', Puig told Euronews. Slowing down can significantly reduce harm to wildlife. Do you want to be sure that your sea holidays are really eco-friendly? Watch the video to find out more.
Shafaq News
24-07-2025
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Hellish Heat: Iraqi workers trapped in a climate-labor crisis
Shafaq News As temperatures in Iraq routinely soar above 50°C during the summer months, a silent humanitarian crisis is playing out in the country's bakeries, fish markets, and traditional kitchens. Far from air-conditioned offices or shaded infrastructure, thousands of informal and daily-wage workers are enduring prolonged exposure to life-threatening heat—without protective regulation, legal enforcement, or viable alternatives. This environmental-labor emergency is considered a chronic public health and governance failure, exacerbated by climate change and the state's inability to protect its most vulnerable citizens. Iraq's Escalating Climate Extremes Iraq is already one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. In 2025, Baghdad and other provinces recorded several consecutive days between 48-50°C, and the Iraq Meteorological Organization forecasts longer and more intense heatwaves in the coming months. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Iraq is facing 'a critical convergence of rising temperatures, declining water availability, and growing urban vulnerability.' The country's urban centers—already burdened by poor infrastructure and weak public health services—are especially ill-equipped to handle prolonged extreme heat events. The problem is not simply environmental, but systemic: climate change is interacting with weak labor protections and economic precarity to create conditions of extreme risk for Iraq's working class. Health Hazards in Iraq's 'Indoor Outdoors' Despite the assumption that extreme heat is primarily a concern for outdoor laborers, indoor workers in unventilated, fire-adjacent environments face a parallel—and often more intense—threat. In kitchens, bakeries, and grill stations, workers labor directly beside open flames and gas-powered ovens, often for 12-hour shifts. 'The sun is not our problem—the fire is,' said fish griller Hossam al-Din Abbas, explaining to Shafaq News that heat exposure is not only constant but intensified by the close-range proximity to high-temperature cooking stations. 'Halting work during dangerous heat is entirely up to employers. If we stop, we don't eat.' 'I've been doing this for 15 years. Every summer it gets worse. I've passed out, burned myself more times than I can count,' said bakery worker Kareem Farhan. 'We stand facing the fire for seven, sometimes ten hours straight. I've had to take weeks off because my body gave out—but I come back, because I need the job.' 'Many workers quit during the summer. It's just too much. But I've gotten used to it,' Farhan added. 'Used to being sick. Used to being tired. It's survival.' Medical professionals have verified these hazards, warning that prolonged heat exposure without ventilation causes circulatory strain, joint inflammation, muscle cramps, and chronic fatigue. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that occupational heat stress can lead to 'serious health outcomes, including cardiovascular and kidney diseases, especially when combined with poor air quality and lack of rest periods.' Yet in Iraq, these risks are normalized. Workers return to stifling stations day after day, often without contracts, health insurance, or even access to basic first aid. Legal Protections on Paper, Not in Practice Iraq's 2015 Labor Law technically mandates essential safety provisions: proper gear, medical checks, and visible health instructions. But enforcement is virtually nonexistent, particularly in the sprawling informal sector, where inspections are rare and employment terms are unregulated. Legal expert Nour al-Din Mahdi confirmed to Shafaq News that the absence of institutional oversight allows employers to 'violate basic safety requirements with impunity.' 'The Labor Law includes clear instructions for providing first-aid kits, protective gear, and regular health check-ups,' he added. 'But without inspections or penalties, these laws mean nothing in the informal sector.' Restaurant owner Abdulaziz Abdelwahid told Shafaq News that closing during summer isn't feasible when the business is the only livelihood. 'Injuries and resignations happen, but we can't stop—this is how we feed our families.' In essence, employers and employees alike are trapped in a mutual vulnerability: owners can't afford to close, and workers can't afford to stop—leaving no room for safety, even as conditions become lethal. Culture of Silence One of the most troubling dynamics is the near-total absence of complaints. Despite widespread suffering, no formal reports have been submitted by bakery or grill workers to Iraq's General Federation of Trade Unions. According to the union representative, Sattar al-Danbous, the federation has received no formal reports from bakery or grill workers, even during peak heat. 'This silence reflects not acceptance but fear—of losing jobs, of being uninsured, and of institutions that workers don't trust to protect them. Many simply view suffering as part of survival.' For many, physical harm becomes part of the job—baked into a labor culture where enduring risk is the price of economic survival. No Heat Limits, No Central Authority Across the Gulf, countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have implemented mandatory midday breaks or outright bans on outdoor labor during peak summer hours. These policies are informed by rising global awareness of occupational heat stress as a health hazard and economic risk. In contrast, Iraq has no such laws. There is no national heat index system, no binding protocol for temperature-based work stoppages, and no centralized body responsible for monitoring thermal conditions in workplaces. Labor unions occasionally issue safety advisories, but without inspections or consequences, most recommendations go ignored. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that without regulatory frameworks to protect against heat exposure, countries in the Middle East face 'increased rates of occupational illness, productivity losses, and premature mortality.' The Intersection of Climate, Poverty, and Neglect At its core, this crisis is not only about temperature. It is about inequality, deregulation, and environmental neglect. The state's failure to prepare for and respond to climate-induced labor risks is not an oversight—it is a structural issue deeply tied to Iraq's broader challenges: unstable governance, weakened public institutions, and reliance on an informal economy that employs over 60% of the workforce. Climate change has not created this vulnerability, but it has exposed and magnified it. If Iraq continues on this trajectory—without national heat standards, without enforcement of labor laws, and adaptation plans—the human toll will grow exponentially. Climate scientists warn that Iraq's average summer temperatures may rise by 2–3°C by 2050, making current conditions not an anomaly—but a baseline. Written and edited by Shafaq News staff.
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Dia Mirza on her journey from cinema to conservation
Acting gave me a voice, a platform, and a reach that I deeply value. But I've always felt a strong connection with Nature; it's been part of my upbringing and identity. Growing up in a verdant city like Hyderabad amid abundant biodiversity drove me to seek a deep connection with Nature wherever I go. As I became increasingly aware of the urgent environmental crises around us, I realised that visibility comes with responsibility. Gradually, I began engaging more intentionally with this mission, partnering with organisations, supporting campaigns, and eventually becoming a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. My advocacy is now as integral to my life as my work in cinema. Starting point As far as I can remember, the defining moment that led me here was a trip to the Pench forest in Madhya Pradesh during the 'Save Our Tigers' campaign. Walking through those ancient forests, hearing stories of vanishing species, and witnessing a tigress on a hunt gave me a profound sense of responsibility. I also remember the shock of seeing mounds of plastic waste littering the Himalayas while shooting Ganga: The Soul of India. That prompted me to address plastic pollution in my own life. I have since given up using single-use plastics. Working in this field, I draw immense fulfillment from the knowledge that one's voice can catalyse awareness, shift perceptions, and inspire change. Whether it's encouraging single-use plastic bans, promoting sustainable fashion, or speaking to school children about climate action, the ripple effect is real. Bringing together scientists, activists, policymakers, and citizens around shared goals feels powerful and hopeful. Nature has an incredible capacity to heal, and helping to amplify that message is a privilege. People connect through stories, not statistics, so I share messages with authenticity and clarity, often rooted in personal experience. Collaboration has been key; working with scientists, NGOs, governments, and artists requires openness and mutual respect. Using media and digital platforms responsibly also helps expand reach and engagement. Apathy and misinformation But one recurring challenge is navigating apathy or misinformation. Environmental issues can feel overwhelming, and many feel disconnected from them. I try to address this by focusing on accessible, solution-oriented messaging. Another challenge is balancing advocacy work with the demands of my career and motherhood, but I've learned that every small action counts. It's not about being perfect, but being committed. Even micro actions can have macro impacts. Looking ahead, I want to deepen my engagement with regenerative practices and community-led conservation. I believe there's an urgent need to make climate education mainstream, especially among young people. It has been rewarding to be involved in programs like Kids for Tigers and to voice educational characters, such as the animatronic elephant 'Ellie,' in a PETA India campaign. This is a space I hope to work more actively in. In the eventful journey so far, many people and movements have inspired me. The work of Jane Goodall has especially been close to my heart. Closer home, Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh Jhala, Bittu Sahgal, and the late Dhrubajyoti Ghosh have left a lasting impact. Movements like Chipko and Fridays for Future have shown how powerful grassroots action can be. I've also learned so much from indigenous communities, who live in harmony with Nature. Looking back, there have been so many memorable moments. At a beach clean-up initiative in Mumbai, a little girl came up to me with a piece of plastic and said, 'I'm doing this because I want the turtles to come back.' Her clarity and innocence brought tears to my eyes. Children are watching us, learning from us; they're ready to lead, we just need to show them the way. To all young people considering green careers, please know the planet needs you. Whether you're a scientist, artist, lawyer, entrepreneur, or engineer, every career can be green if it's driven by purpose. Don't wait for perfection; start wherever you are. Stay informed, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of community. Nature is resilient, and so are you. Courtesy: WWF-India Actor and producer, Dia Mirza is a United Nations Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General's Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals.
