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The Environment and Underwater Sex: Navigating Sex as a Fish

Ibon Cancio Uriarte’s mainly researches how pollution influences sexual differentiation of fish. During his lecture at DSF, he started by providing some easy-to-understand and detailed explanations of reproduction before he moved on the main theme. He pointed out that Charles Darwin is a god for coming up with the theory of evolution; males are costly from the point of view of the species and biological sex is diverse. Cancio made the audience laugh with the examples he used to explain these ideas, while setting the scene to understand more technical explanations.

Ibon Cancio Uriarte’s mainly researches how pollution influences sexual differentiation of fish. During his lecture at DSF, he started by providing some easy-to-understand and detailed explanations of reproduction before he moved on the main theme. He pointed out that Charles Darwin is a god for coming up with the theory of evolution; males are costly from the point of view of the species and biological sex is diverse. Cancio made the audience laugh with the examples he used to explain these ideas, while setting the scene to understand more technical explanations.
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Iñaki Susaeta: Managing Waste and the Challenge of the Circular Economy

‘Waste: we do not want to see it, but it is here’ Iñaki Susaeta, an environmental technician at IHOBE, the Basque Government’s environmental management agency, thus started his talk at the Donostia Sustainability Forum. In a world flooded with statistics, Susaeta proposed a change of strategy: ‘for the narrative to try to kill the data’. The aim is to avoid cold figures to address the root of the problem: our relationship with objects and hidden cost of our development.

‘Waste: we do not want to see it, but it is here’ Iñaki Susaeta, an environmental technician at IHOBE, the Basque Government’s environmental management agency, thus started his talk at the Donostia Sustainability Forum. In a world flooded with statistics, Susaeta proposed a change of strategy: ‘for the narrative to try to kill the data’. The aim is to avoid cold figures to address the root of the problem: our relationship with objects and hidden cost of our development.
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Rebecca Von Hellfeld: “Monitoring stranded mammals is essential to assess ocean health”

Monitoring marine mammals through stranded animal networks in the United Kingdom has become a key tool for advancing conservation policies and improving marine management. This was explained by Rebecca von Hellfeld at the conference held as part of the Donostia Sustainability Forum, where she detailed how data collected through the CSIP and SMASS programmes have helped strengthen wildlife protection and guide evidence-based decision-making, in a model that can be replicated globally. Von Hellfeld is a researcher at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland). She holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and Business Management from the University of London, an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Environment and Marine Resources from EHU, and a PhD from Heidelberg University.

Monitoring marine mammals through stranded animal networks in the United Kingdom has become a key tool for advancing conservation policies and improving marine management. This was explained by Rebecca von Hellfeld at the conference held as part of the Donostia Sustainability Forum, where she detailed how data collected through the CSIP and SMASS programmes have helped strengthen wildlife protection and guide evidence-based decision-making, in a model that can be replicated globally. Von Hellfeld is a researcher at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland). She holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and Business Management from the University of London, an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Environment and Marine Resources from EHU, and a PhD from Heidelberg University.
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Salvador Rueda, creator of the superblocks: ‘Just reducing the vehicles on the road y 15% will free up 70% of space’

The current urban model is facing a major challenge. Cities are not only the main climate change scenarios, but are also major greenhouse gas emitters. The urban ecologist Salvador Rueda, President and Director of the Urban and Territorial Ecology Foundation, introduced the ecosystemic urbanism concept, which puts forward a comprehensive model designed to transform cities into resilient climate change scenarios and to return the public space to citizens.

The current urban model is facing a major challenge. Cities are not only the main climate change scenarios, but are also major greenhouse gas emitters. The urban ecologist Salvador Rueda, President and Director of the Urban and Territorial Ecology Foundation, introduced the ecosystemic urbanism concept, which puts forward a comprehensive model designed to transform cities into resilient climate change scenarios and to return the public space to citizens.
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Mª José Sanz: ‘Ten years on from the Paris Agreement, multilateralism at the COP continues to be alive and progressing’

The recent Conference of the Parties (COP30), held in Belem (Brazil) on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, ended with a series of decisions that show the persistence of the multilateral process defining these climate summits, despite the desired ambition not being achieved. At the Donostia Sustainability Forum, Mª José Sanz, the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), explained that progress had been made regarding aspects such as climate finance and protecting tropical forests, in spite of the extremely complex geopolitical context, characterised by a global ‘polycrisis’.

The recent Conference of the Parties (COP30), held in Belem (Brazil) on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, ended with a series of decisions that show the persistence of the multilateral process defining these climate summits, despite the desired ambition not being achieved. At the Donostia Sustainability Forum, Mª José Sanz, the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), explained that progress had been made regarding aspects such as climate finance and protecting tropical forests, in spite of the extremely complex geopolitical context, characterised by a global ‘polycrisis’.
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Ana Mª Vicedo: ‘There are ever more cases of climate litigation and many more bridges of communication between science and different areas of the law’

In 2024, the European Court of Human Rights found in favour of KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, a group of Swiss women aged 65 and over, in the case they brought against the Swiss government, accusing the latter of failing to act against climate change. The group argued that that the country’s government had not adopted sufficient measures to offset climate change, thus violating the human rights of older women, a group particularly vulnerable to heat waves.

In 2024, the European Court of Human Rights found in favour of KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, a group of Swiss women aged 65 and over, in the case they brought against the Swiss government, accusing the latter of failing to act against climate change. The group argued that that the country’s government had not adopted sufficient measures to offset climate change, thus violating the human rights of older women, a group particularly vulnerable to heat waves.
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Architecture for Tomorrow: Towards a Sustainable Reality

Building and urban planning are at a crossroads in a global crisis and which requires their model to be totally overhauled, as the architect Bruno Sauer, CEO of Green Building Council España (GBCE), explained during a talk at the Donostia Sustainability Forum; when he analysed the role that sustainable architecture must play as a driver for change in the face of the social and environmental challenges.

Building and urban planning are at a crossroads in a global crisis and which requires their model to be totally overhauled, as the architect Bruno Sauer, CEO of Green Building Council España (GBCE), explained during a talk at the Donostia Sustainability Forum; when he analysed the role that sustainable architecture must play as a driver for change in the face of the social and environmental challenges.
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Manu Soto Lopez: Cetacean Strandings and Sea Turtle Routes in the Bay of Biscay

Manu Soto Lopez is Professor of Cell Biology, director of Plentiza Marine Station and head of the Basque Cetacean Strandings Network, and monitors the routes of sea turtles as well; he gave detailed explanations of his work, but in a way that everybody could understand. In fact, he stressed right from the start that one of his goals is for people to know what – and what not – to do if they come across a stranding.

Manu Soto Lopez is Professor of Cell Biology, director of Plentiza Marine Station and head of the Basque Cetacean Strandings Network, and monitors the routes of sea turtles as well; he gave detailed explanations of his work, but in a way that everybody could understand. In fact, he stressed right from the start that one of his goals is for people to know what – and what not – to do if they come across a stranding.
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Eñaut Izagirre: 'The impact of the glaciers is close than we think"

This paper-colloquium analysed the importance of mountain glaciers, with particular emphasis on their role as sensitive indicators of climate change. Furthermore, the United Nations has declared 2025 to be the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation; therefore, Eñaut Izagirre proposed to listeners a transnational collective journey: from the large frozen regions of Patagonia and Alaska, to the last small glaciers of the Pyrenees.

This paper-colloquium analysed the importance of mountain glaciers, with particular emphasis on their role as sensitive indicators of climate change. Furthermore, the United Nations has declared 2025 to be the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation; therefore, Eñaut Izagirre proposed to listeners a transnational collective journey: from the large frozen regions of Patagonia and Alaska, to the last small glaciers of the Pyrenees.
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COP29: A de minimis climate financing agreement in transition towards COP30 in Brazil

COP29, held in Azerbaijan in November 2024, managed to establish a new climate finance goal, as the main outcome, and to reach breakthroughs on the carbon markets, as María José Sanz, the Scientific Director of BC3, Basque Centre for Climate Change, explained. Furthermore, progress was made as far as possible on the Global Goal on Adaptation and on the Gender Agenda.

COP29, held in Azerbaijan in November 2024, managed to establish a new climate finance goal, as the main outcome, and to reach breakthroughs on the carbon markets, as María José Sanz, the Scientific Director of BC3, Basque Centre for Climate Change, explained. Furthermore, progress was made as far as possible on the Global Goal on Adaptation and on the Gender Agenda.
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Mónica Guxens: "Our cities need a radical change to protect children's brains"

The Catalan researcher gave her talk entitled Environmental Exposure and Brain Development: What we Know and Forthcoming Challenges in one of the Conversations Environmental Framework Program 2030, within the free open days organized by the Donostia Sustainability Forum.

The Catalan researcher gave her talk entitled Environmental Exposure and Brain Development: What we Know and Forthcoming Challenges in one of the Conversations Environmental Framework Program 2030, within the free open days organized by the Donostia Sustainability Forum.
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Manuel Castañón: 'The time has come for environmental law to take an intergenerational approach in order to guarantee the survival of the human being'

'The decisions adopted by those of us alive today may affect the life and rights of the people yet to be born in the coming years, decades or even centuries," explained Manuel Castañón del Valle, a lawyer specialised in Environmental Law during his talk on "Environmental Protection of Future Generations. A Necessary Basis for International Law", given at the Donostia Sustainability Forum, in conjunction with the Basque-Navarre Institute of Architects (COAVN).

'The decisions adopted by those of us alive today may affect the life and rights of the people yet to be born in the coming years, decades or even centuries," explained Manuel Castañón del Valle, a lawyer specialised in Environmental Law during his talk on "Environmental Protection of Future Generations. A Necessary Basis for International Law", given at the Donostia Sustainability Forum, in conjunction with the Basque-Navarre Institute of Architects (COAVN).
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Quique Bassat: “Under-fives bear 88% of the burden of disease attributable to climate change’

This was stated by the paediatrician, specialist in epidemiology and director general of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, at the presentation of his talk ‘Climate emergency and global paediatric health’, within the framework of the Donostia Sustainability Forum.

This was stated by the paediatrician, specialist in epidemiology and director general of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, at the presentation of his talk ‘Climate emergency and global paediatric health’, within the framework of the Donostia Sustainability Forum.
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Julio Díaz: 'Being poor is the biggest killer in heat waves'

The heat waves recorded in recent years have raised the issue of the pressing need to adapt to the new environmental conditions imposed by climate change. High temperatures particularly impact people who are vulnerable due to their age, those with pre-existing conditions or, in the case of heatstroke, people who work outside at the hottest time of the day. Heat waves thus lead to excess deaths and an increase in hospital admissions.

The heat waves recorded in recent years have raised the issue of the pressing need to adapt to the new environmental conditions imposed by climate change. High temperatures particularly impact people who are vulnerable due to their age, those with pre-existing conditions or, in the case of heatstroke, people who work outside at the hottest time of the day. Heat waves thus lead to excess deaths and an increase in hospital admissions.
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Esther Badiola: "The climate agenda has no political persuasion"

A goal without a plan is just a wish; such an ambitious goal as the green transition defined by the European Green Deal needs financing that is up to the task. During a seminar of the Donostia Sustainability Forum, the economist Esther Badiola, senior adviser of the Climate Change Office in the EIB Operations Department, went over the key role that the institution is playing in the transition towards a sustainable economy.

A goal without a plan is just a wish; such an ambitious goal as the green transition defined by the European Green Deal needs financing that is up to the task. During a seminar of the Donostia Sustainability Forum, the economist Esther Badiola, senior adviser of the Climate Change Office in the EIB Operations Department, went over the key role that the institution is playing in the transition towards a sustainable economy.
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Climate emergency: challenges and opportunities for cities in the global north and south

Researchers Marta Olazabal and Marcelle Mardon participated in the public event Cities in a changing climate, organised by the Donostia Sustainability Forum. During the dialogue, the experts shared some of the main challenges that cities face in the context of climate change and increasing urbanisation processes. They also highlighted some of the opportunities offered by decarbonisation and adaptation policies in cities.

Researchers Marta Olazabal and Marcelle Mardon participated in the public event Cities in a changing climate, organised by the Donostia Sustainability Forum. During the dialogue, the experts shared some of the main challenges that cities face in the context of climate change and increasing urbanisation processes. They also highlighted some of the opportunities offered by decarbonisation and adaptation policies in cities.
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María José Sanz: "My assessment of COP28 is that the glass is half full"

The scientific director of the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) explained that the text approved there is equally good and bad for everyone.

The scientific director of the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) explained that the text approved there is equally good and bad for everyone.
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Investigations for Sustainability, to Inspire the Youth

During the 2022-2023 academic year, Elhuyar has carried out work on sustainability and the climate emergency in collaboration with the Department of Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. As a result, the brochure "Investigations for Sustainability, to Inspire the Youth" was created. It presents some key insights and projects for addressing sustainability in the classroom. On November 3rd, it was introduced during the roundtable discussion "Investigations for Sustainability, to Inspire the Youth."

During the 2022-2023 academic year, Elhuyar has carried out work on sustainability and the climate emergency in collaboration with the Department of Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. As a result, the brochure "Investigations for Sustainability, to Inspire the Youth" was created. It presents some key insights and projects for addressing sustainability in the classroom. On November 3rd, it was introduced during the roundtable discussion "Investigations for Sustainability, to Inspire the Youth."
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Solutions and hope for climate action

Matt McGrath is the BBC's environment correspondent, where he has worked since 1997. Between 2010 and 2011 he was a research fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the Knight Programme for Science Journalism, the most prestigious programme in the field. In 2019 he was awarded the first Biophilia Environmental Communication Award by the BBVA Foundation for his contribution to improving public understanding and awareness of environmental challenges. Caty Arévalo is a journalist and communicator specialising in science and the environment at the EFE news agency and has been reporting on the main national and international events in this field for more than two decades. Like McGrath, she was also a researcher at MIT in the Knight Programme for Science Journalism and at the Reuters Institute at Oxford University. In 2017 she was awarded the BBVA Foundation Prize for Biodiversity Conservation, in the category of Knowledge Dissemination and Awareness Raising in Biodiversity Conservation.

Matt McGrath is the BBC's environment correspondent, where he has worked since 1997. Between 2010 and 2011 he was a research fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the Knight Programme for Science Journalism, the most prestigious programme in the field. In 2019 he was awarded the first Biophilia Environmental Communication Award by the BBVA Foundation for his contribution to improving public understanding and awareness of environmental challenges. Caty Arévalo is a journalist and communicator specialising in science and the environment at the EFE news agency and has been reporting on the main national and international events in this field for more than two decades. Like McGrath, she was also a researcher at MIT in the Knight Programme for Science Journalism and at the Reuters Institute at Oxford University. In 2017 she was awarded the BBVA Foundation Prize for Biodiversity Conservation, in the category of Knowledge Dissemination and Awareness Raising in Biodiversity Conservation.
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Citizen´s assemblies, a new wave of citizen´s engagement in Europe

In this workshop, examples of citizens' assemblies carried out in Europe at different scales were presented in order to learn about the advantages of these processes, as well as the difficulties they face

In this workshop, examples of citizens' assemblies carried out in Europe at different scales were presented in order to learn about the advantages of these processes, as well as the difficulties they face
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Javier Clemente, head of "Todos Somos Reciclaje"

How should environmental issues be communicated with and for young people?

Javier Clemente spoke about his inspirational talk "Cómo comunicar sobre medioambiente en redes sin caer en el intento".

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Los embalses y el cambio climático

"In the Basque Country, water consumption is very moderate. Household appliances are efficient and awareness is very high. You cannot ask more to our society".

In this interview, Iñigo Elosegui delves into issues such as water consumption in the Basque Country and the effect of climate change on reservoirs.

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Global change and mega-fires

Inazio Martínez de Arano: "There is no forest policy that offers fire management strategies from a holistic point of view".

Inazio Martínez de Arano: "There is no forest policy that offers fire management strategies from a holistic point of view".
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Antonio Cerrillo, environmental journalist: "Overcoming eco-anxiety requires measures aimed at building and not continuing to watch and do nothing"

The diagnosis of the climate crisis, the debates surrounding the new paradigm of prosperity and the participation of social movements in the search for solutions were the focus of a new day of talks organised by the Donostia Sustainability Forum. The guest speaker on this occasion was journalist Antonio Cerrillo, environmental editor of the newspaper La Vanguardia and author, among others, of the book "Crisis climática. Un viaje por los escenarios del cambio climático en España y su impactos”.

The diagnosis of the climate crisis, the debates surrounding the new paradigm of prosperity and the participation of social movements in the search for solutions were the focus of a new day of talks organised by the Donostia Sustainability Forum. The guest speaker on this occasion was journalist Antonio Cerrillo, environmental editor of the newspaper La Vanguardia and author, among others, of the book "Crisis climática. Un viaje por los escenarios del cambio climático en España y su impactos”.
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The COP27 climate change summit. What's new?

COP27 was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 6th to 12th November 2022. It was the second best-attended summit after the Glasgow event in 2021 and the fifth to be held in Africa, one of the continents most vulnerable to the impact of climate change. DSF brought together a panel of experts to analyse the agreement reached in Egypt, from different points of view.

COP27 was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 6th to 12th November 2022. It was the second best-attended summit after the Glasgow event in 2021 and the fifth to be held in Africa, one of the continents most vulnerable to the impact of climate change. DSF brought together a panel of experts to analyse the agreement reached in Egypt, from different points of view.
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