Students of a local school wade through chest-deep water on a flooded street, during a tidal surge. Chaktai, Chittagong. Global average temperatures have risen by 1°C over the last century, and climate scientists believe that warming could be between 3-5 °C by the end of this century. Our oceans absorb around 90% of that heat. But warmer water expands, and this, along with water being released from melting polar ice, is causing global sea levels to rise. Considering present warming trends, a 2013 World Bank paper suggests that Bangladesh will be hit by increasing river floods, more intense tropical cyclones, very high temperatures, and rising sea-levels (a 27 cm sea level rise is projected by the 2040s). This could leave some areas completely submerged, as well as affecting power, food and health. Chittagong is the second-largest city in Bangladesh, densely populated with over 4 million people . It’s often regarded as the commercial capital of Bangladesh , with its port handling over 90% of the country's foreign trade . Quote from Jashim Salam, photographer: “In the past few years, climate change has begun to take a major toll on my home city of Chittagong. Tidal surges – water levels rising significantly above the predicted tide levels – are affecting the city as often as twice a day, resulting in frequent flooding of homes and businesses. Prior to this, the last tidal surge occurred in 1991, when a hurricane hit the coastal area. Local people are growing increasingly concerned - we may have to move from our homes due to this excess of water. The effects of climate change have brought a sudden vulnerability to the lives and livelihoods of people living in Chittagong and the coastal areas of Bangladesh.”

Marisela's son holds cacao seed pods, after harvesting them from the family farm. Cacao is a source of income for Marisela's farm, municipality of Calamar, Guaviare Department, Colombia. Marisela is a farmer, mother and Secretary of the local ‘environmental promoters’ group in the municipality of Calamar, Guaviare Department, Colombia. The 'buffer zone’ around Chiribiquete National Park, Colombia is being deforested at an alarming rate, due to land grabbing and cattle ranching, especially in areas newly ‘opened up’ as a result of the peace process. In the municipality of Calamar, Guaviare Department, WWF-Colombia is working with a group of local community leaders (known as ‘environmental promoters’) with the aim of stopping this deforestation, protecting and restoring remaining forest, and helping provide alternative sustainable livelihoods to local people.

Clouds surrounding the Tre Cime di Lavaredo with wildflowers in the foreground, Sexten Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, Europe, July 2009