The starting point was a pioneering study in the mid-1970s on the ecology and metabolism of the city of Hong Kong, combined with a survey of the quality of life of individuals and human adaptation.

UNESCO: Urban connections of biosphere reserves

With a superior capacity for memory, human societies evolved steadily through cumulative cultural adaptation.

FORBES: How a 'Theory of Mind' Made Humans Unique

Human survival has been based on unrivaled adaptation to the environment, but plants and animals will and are inevitably succumbing to subtle changes in the climate.

CNN: Climate change: Time is running out

Scientific data focus on bio-physical factors and broad spatial scales, but lack the perspective, societal components and human dimension that Arctic communities require to guide adaptation.

UNESCO: THEMES

Oceans Day at Durban will draw high-level attention to ocean issues during the COP17 climate talks, highlighting the direct link between climate change, the health of the oceans, and human well-being, as well as the need for sufficient funding to support bold mitigation and adaptation measures that will minimize climate change impacts on coastal communities and ocean ecosystems and resources.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES