In the Casa Jardim Reform, preservation was established as the central strategy of the project. The fundamental concept adopted is that the most ecologically correct construction is one that already exists.
The renovation aims to reorganize existing spaces, increase the entry of natural light, and reinforce the connection between the residents, the surrounding Atlantic Forest, and the house's original architectural design.
A climatic phenomenon occurring in the tropical Pacific Ocean thousands of kilometers away may influence weather conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the near future.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts the rapid development of a strong El Niño event between July and September 2026, with a significant rise expected in sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Models from leading global climate centers show a high degree of agreement, giving scientists confidence that El Niño will intensify throughout the autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
Globally, this phenomenon is associated with an increased risk of droughts, heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and marine heatwaves; however, its impact varies greatly depending on the region. Although residents of the UAE may not immediately feel all the effects of El Niño, by autumn, the global phenomenon will begin to shape local weather, leading to more humid conditions, increased cloudiness, and a higher probability of rain in some parts of the country.
Meteorologist Ahmed Habib from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) told Khaleej Times on Wednesday that it is important to understand that El Niño is a global climate driver whose effects vary from region to region. He emphasized that El Niño is a global phenomenon that does not occur locally, and its consequences depend on the specific region.
Mentioning East Asia, Dr. Habib noted that countries such as China, Japan, the Philippines, and eastern India have observed several tropical storms and cyclones in recent months. Nevertheless, there has been no activity of tropical storms or cyclones in their part of the Indian Ocean this year. Therefore, despite El Niño being a global phenomenon, it is necessary to understand exactly how it affects their region.
Despite global weather changes related to El Niño, the UAE remained mostly dry in May and June. Dr. Habib explained that although global conditions may change, local conditions differ, and currently, the necessary factor for widespread cloud formation or precipitation is absent. The atmosphere over the UAE remains relatively dry, unlike some parts of East Asia where humidity levels were linked to El Niño conditions. Autumn may bring higher humidity and chances of precipitation.
Although serious consequences related to El Niño are not expected during the summer season, meteorologists are closely monitoring the coming months. Dr. Habib stated that the phenomenon may become more influential for the UAE in the autumn. He specified that starting in autumn, especially in October and November, the effect of El Niño will be felt in their region, whereas in the summer, its influence is stronger in East Asia than in West Asia. With the change of season, residents may notice more moisture in the atmosphere, which will increase the likelihood of rain in the UAE.
According to Dr. Habib, El Niño is unlikely to trigger a significant temperature increase across the country. Instead, its main effect may manifest through increased atmospheric humidity, which promotes cloud formation and raises the probability of precipitation. This forecast comes against the backdrop of some areas in the UAE experiencing periods of unstable weather this week, although the country registered a relatively small amount of rainfall over the summer. On Wednesday, moderate and heavy downpours were recorded in some areas of Al Ain, which is unusual for the peak of summer.
Dr. Habib added that there is a possibility of rain on Thursday and Friday, especially in the eastern and southern parts of the UAE. Rain may reach some inland areas of Abu Dhabi, including Suwaiqhan and Madinat Zayed. Regarding temperatures, he noted that the UAE has not yet recorded 50°C this summer. He predicts that temperatures in the coming days will remain in the same range: between 47°C and 49°C in inland areas and between 41°C and 44°C along the coast.
Mahseer, known as the 'river tiger,' is an iconic freshwater species of significant ecological and cultural importance across Asia. Despite high reverence for these giant fish, they face a serious crisis. A new study conducted in three Indian states—Karnataka, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh—revealed that while most participants want to conserve Mahseer, only a few believe they have the real capacity to do so.
Researchers from the University of Transdisciplinary Health and Technology Sciences (TDU) and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) found that the biggest obstacle to the survival of these species is the gap between the desire to help and the ability to take action. These species are approaching biological and social extinction.
The work focused on five specific Mahseer species: Tor khudree (Deccan Mahseer), Tor putitora (Golden Mahseer), Tor remadevii (Humped/Orange-spotted Mahseer), Tor mosal (Mosal Mahseer), and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (Chocolate Mahseer). The research was carried out in three states known for Mahseer populations: Karnataka (Cauvery River basin), Assam (Brahmaputra system), and Uttar Pradesh (Himalayan mountain rivers).
The team conducted about 160 interviews and several focus groups with various groups of people, including local fishermen, tribal leaders, government officials, and scientists. Reflective thematic analysis was used to analyze the conversations. To understand the reasons for difficulties in conservation efforts, researchers integrated three conceptual frameworks: Conservation Planning Frameworks (CPF), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Social Values (SV).
CPF serves as the structural basis of the study, offering a phased approach to conservation management through three stages: situation assessment, decision-making, and implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation. It focuses on 'what' and 'how' groups and institutions carry out conservation activities. TPB posits that for a person to perform an action, they must meet three conditions: have a positive attitude toward the goal, feel social pressure to act, and, most importantly, feel actual behavioral control, which includes access to time, resources, favorable conditions, and decision-making autonomy.
The Social Values framework defines the deeper normative foundations of human decisions regarding nature. The study showed that traditional conservation methods fail because they ignore the human factor. Surveys revealed a significant gap: local communities living near the rivers and best understanding the fish often feel alienated from centralized governance. Decisions were made in distant government offices without considering the opinion of those affected, leading to feelings of helplessness and sometimes open conflict between groups.
Currently, conservation efforts often concentrate solely on the biological needs of the organism, such as water quality, habitat, or breeding habits, using only CPF and ignoring the people who share this environment. By integrating TPB and the analysis of Social Values with CPF, researchers were able to reframe the problem more effectively. Instead of simply asking about people's sympathy for Mahseer, they studied the deeply rooted moral obligations and cultural identities associated with this fish. This approach allowed them to identify systemic issues, such as the lack of inter-departmental coordination, which prevented various government agencies from coordinating their actions.
Scientists argue that to save Mahseer, India must transition to a co-management model. This means moving away from a system where the government simply gives orders to a system where local and tribal communities are granted legal authority and resources to manage their own river sections. This bottom-up approach will transform local residents from passive observers into active protectors of the ecosystem. Furthermore, the study recommends changing communication, suggesting that conservation messages should be based on the local culture and traditions of each region, rather than using general scientific terminology that may not resonate with people on the ground.
Moreover, the integrated approach used in this study offers a more effective conservation tool than traditional methods. It provides a detailed understanding of the personal motives, cultural identities, and moral obligations behind individual behavior. Such a holistic structure can enable the development of technically sound interventions that are socially acceptable, promote coexistence between humans and wildlife, and are more likely to catalyze sustainable behavioral change.
The plant Opuntia stricta, known as prickly pear, has represented losses for livestock farmers in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya for decades. The British brought this invasive species to the colony during the colonial era as a decorative hedge, and it began to spread rapidly, displacing local vegetation, degrading pastures, and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on livestock.
Despite its vibrant appearance, the fruits of the prickly pear are one of the most destructive invasive species in Kenya. Wild animals such as elephants, giraffes, and goats feed on these fruits, unintentionally dispersing thousands of seeds through their excrement. When the rains come, the seeds germinate quickly, allowing the cactus to occupy more and more territory at an astonishing rate.
Sharon Bundi from the Laikipia Permaculture Centre notes that 'the germination rate is extremely high,' and after the rains begin, the seeds establish very quickly, making the plant extremely difficult to control. Furthermore, the cactus accumulates a large amount of water, allowing it to survive long dry periods, competing with other plants for limited moisture and nutrients in the soil.
For pastoralist communities, every new patch of cactus means a loss of pasture. Dense, thorny thickets replace nutritious grass, forcing herders to travel further in search of feed. However, the greatest danger often comes from tiny, hair-like spines called glochids found inside the fruit. These glochids get stuck in the mouths and digestive systems of livestock, causing painful ulcers, infections, malnutrition, and, in severe cases, death, leading to the gradual destruction of family livelihoods.
Goats are particularly vulnerable because they greedily eat the fruits despite the danger. Bundi explains that 'when goats eat the fruits, their mouth becomes painful and swollen. Eventually, they cannot feed normally because both their mouth and stomach are affected.' For families whose lives revolve around livestock, the loss of even a few animals can mean the loss of food, income, and financial stability.
Japan Saruni, a herder from Koiji, personally witnessed this devastation. He reported that the invasive prickly pear took much of his livestock, leaving the family with significant financial losses. According to Saruni, many animals are injured trying to eat the cactus fruits; the tiny spines penetrate their mouths, making every bite painful. Others suffer serious eye injuries while trying to reach the fruits among the thorny leaves, and some eventually lose their sight.
Instead of viewing the cactus solely as a problem, the Laikipia Permaculture Centre (LPC) applied a circular economy approach, ensuring that every part of the plant is used for productive purposes. The fruits are processed into prickly pear juice, jam, and wine, developed in collaboration with the University of Nairobi. The seeds undergo cold pressing to yield premium cosmetic oil, and the remaining seed pulp is used as nutritious feed for livestock. The fruit peels are dried into a natural dye powder, and the cactus leaves are fed into biodigesters to produce methane for cooking.
The residual nutrient-rich slurry is applied as organic fertilizer to kitchen gardens, improving soil fertility and household food production. Bundi emphasizes: 'Essentially, we don't throw anything away from the cactus. Every part of the plant has value.' To ensure product safety, the centre collaborates closely with the Kenya Bureau of Standards and research institutions to guarantee that all products meet national quality standards.
In addition to producing value-added products, this initiative creates new economic opportunities for communities that traditionally relied almost entirely on animal husbandry. Residents now earn money by harvesting cactus fruits, supplying raw materials, and participating in processing and value addition. The long-term goal is to establish community-owned processing centers, allowing local residents to retain most of the profits.
Bundi explains that 'if income only comes from livestock, communities become very vulnerable during droughts. By creating enterprises around cactus, honey, aloe, and other natural resources, families have multiple ways to earn a living.' The project also works with communities on mechanically removing the cactus while simultaneously introducing biological control using cochineal insects, which naturally weaken the invasive plant. After clearing, the degraded land is sown with pasture grasses, moringa, and *Aloe secundiflora*. Aloe is processed into soap, lotions, and cosmetic products, while moringa provides both nutritional and commercial value. These efforts together restore ecosystems and create additional sources of income.
The environmental benefits of the project extend beyond combating the cactus. Biogas reduces reliance on firewood, organic fertilizer improves soil health, and restored vegetation reduces erosion, enhances water retention, and promotes livestock health. Although Opuntia stricta remains difficult to eradicate due to its easy regenerative capacity and continued spread via wild animals, the Laikipia Permaculture Centre demonstrates that environmental problems can become economic opportunities.
By combining ecological restoration, renewable energy, scientific innovation, and community entrepreneurship, this initiative offers a practical model for enhancing climate change resilience in Kenya's arid regions and beyond. For years, Opuntia stricta symbolized loss: lost pastures, dying livestock, shrinking incomes, and degrading landscapes. Today, thanks to the innovations of the Laikipia Permaculture Centre and the determination of local communities, the same cactus produces juice, jam, cosmetic oil, livestock feed, renewable energy, organic fertilizer, and new sources of livelihood. Bundi concludes: 'What was once a thorn in the side of pastoralist communities is becoming a symbol of resilience and innovation.' In Kenya's arid regions, communities are proving that when life gives you a cactus, it can be much more than just an invasive plant: it can be hope.
