The Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam is one of the most productive agricultural zones in Southeast Asia, essential to rice, fruit, and aquaculture production. This fertile region, shaped by a complex network of rivers and canals, is affected by seasonal flooding which enriches the soil, thereby sustaining millions of livelihoods.   This...

Canada is currently facing an intense fire season, with hundreds of active wildfires across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. Smoke from these fires has severely degraded air quality both locally and across borders, including the United States.  This false colour image, acquired by one of...

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 2 August 2025, shows vivid turquoise and milky-blue swirls in the Barents Sea, north of Scandinavia. These striking patterns are caused by a large phytoplankton bloom, microscopic photosynthetic organisms that form the base of the marine food chain and contribute...

Stretching across the arid plains of northern Patagonia, the Alto Valle of the Río Negro is a remarkable agricultural oasis in Argentina. Despite the surrounding semi-desert landscape, this narrow strip thrives thanks to irrigation from the Río Negro River, supporting one of the country's most productive fruit-growing regions. Orchards of...

Mount Bromo, located in the Area Gunung Bromo, Podokoyo, Pasuruan in East Java, Indonesia, is a prominent active volcano and a popular tourist destination within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Rising to 2,329 metres, it is famous for its captivating sunrise views and its vast surrounding sea of volcanic sand. The volcano is part of the...

Situated in the south-western corner of Angola, the Iona National Park marks the northernmost reach of the Namib Desert, believed to be the oldest desert on Earth. Spanning 15,150 km², Iona forms part of one of the world’s largest transfrontier conservation areas, linking with the Skeleton Coast National Park and the Namib Partial Reserve to...

1 August is Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day, dedicated to raising awareness about MPAs and their vital role in marine environment conservation, sustainable development, and the well-being of communities.  In 2025, the Gorgona National Natural Park, located off the Pacific coast of Colombia, was one of four MPAs to receive the Blue Park Award,...

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is situated in the country's north-east, along the banks of the Spree River. Berlin’s geographical position places it at the crossroads of important European routes, contributing to its historical significance as a centre of trade and politics. With an area of around 890 square kilometres, it is one of the...

As of 29 July 2025, Portugal is impacted by major wildfires in the north and centre of the country, with more than 2,000 firefighters mobilised to battle the flames. The most affected areas are Arouca (Aveiro District), Ponte da Barca (Viana do Castelo District), and Penamacor (Castelo Branco District). The village of Fornos de Carvão, in the...

On 26 July 2025, a wildfire broke out in a rural, forested area near Pitsinades in central Kythira, one of the seven Ionian Islands in Greece’s Attica region. The fire prompted a large emergency response, including the evacuation of nearby residents.  On the same day of the fire’s outbreak, the Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection...

In mid-July 2025, the Albanian Ministry of Defence reported 18 wildfire outbreaks across multiple municipalities. The blazes have threatened residential areas and environmentally protected zones.  The Lura National Park in Dibër municipality in north-eastern Albania was among the areas most affected by the fires, with reports of burnt forested...

26 July was the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, dedicated to protecting these vital ecosystems around the world. In addition to supporting global biodiversity, mangroves contribute to food security, climate change mitigation, and the protection of coastal communities from hazards.  This image, acquired by one...

On 23 July 2025, a severe wildfire erupted in southern Cyprus, destroying homes and leading to the evacuation of hundreds amid an ongoing heatwave in the country. The fire has resulted in at least two casualties. The blaze, which broke out near the city of Limassol, has devastated approximately 100 square kilometres of the wine-producing...

On 22 July 2025, a wildfire erupted in Greece's Northern Peloponnese region, devastating a significant portion of the landscape. Over 340 firefighters, supported by aerial and ground units, worked to combat the flames.  On the same day of the fire’s outbreak, the Greek Disaster Planning and Management Directorate - General secretariat for Civil...

The Metelių Regional Park, located in southern Lithuania, is a protected Natura 2000 site renowned for its great lakes: Dusia, Metelys, and Obelija. They support rich aquatic biodiversity and are important stopover sites for migratory birds, including cranes and grebes. Reedbeds and wet meadows surrounding the lakes serve as breeding grounds...

Each summer, parts of the Baltic Sea display vivid green algal blooms, triggered by sunlight, high temperatures, and abundant nutrients. This image, acquired by a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite on 21 July 2025, shows widespread algal blooms off the coast of Sweden. The first signs of this event appeared in early July and have steadily...

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, acquired on 17 March 2025, shows the flow of the David Glacier as it feeds into the Drygalski Ice Tongue in East Antarctica. Stretching  90 km into the Ross Sea, the ice tongue is one of the largest floating ice extensions in Antarctica. The linear structure of the ice tongue reveals its dynamic forward...

Ouvéa Island, part of the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia, is renowned for its untouched beauty and ecological richness. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the island is fringed by one of the world’s most pristine lagoons, home to vibrant coral reefs and endangered species such as dugongs and green sea turtles. The surrounding reef...

On 17 July 2025, a large wildfire broke out in the municipality of Méntrida, located in the province of Toledo, within Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha region.  Driven by strong winds, the fire burnt over 3,000 hectares of land by the end of the day, prompting road closures and the evacuation of residents from nearby areas. Winds carried the smoke...

A wildfire caused by lightning on 4 July spread rapidly across the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA, on 11 and 12 July, fanned by strong winds. The fire destroyed several structures, including the National Park Service’s visitor hub and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the park’s North Rim. It also prompted the evacuation of...