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World Day to Combat Desertification and Drough
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drough
June 17 marks the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, a time to reflect on the growing threat of drought, the loss of biodiversity, and the shrinking of fertile farming land.
Protecting soil and preserving its moisture is crucial for our planet’s health. Teaching children about the water cycle helps them understand the delicate balance that supports ecosystems and agriculture.
In my book Lully Sheep to the Rescue, young readers journey with Lully Sheep and friends as they work to solve the climate crisis in Apple Valley. With the farmers growing anxious and asking, “Where are the clouds?”, Lully steps in to bring hope to a land thirsting for rain.
This book is highly educational as it explains the events that occur during unexpected floods and sudden, dramatic droughts.
Why are clouds so important?
Where do they carry the water from?
How do they form?
Through this book, children will learn about the water cycle, its various phases, and how it moves throughout the environment.
All living beings are made of water, and even some rocks contain water.
Water covers approximately 71% os our planet's surface.
However, not all water is visible; this book also discusses groundwater and its significance, mainly in desert regions.
Water has played a major role since the origin of life and in shaping our civilizations. It influenced how groups of humans lived, migrated, settled, farmed, and domesticated animals.
We have a natural affinity for being near bodies of water, such as oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and even groundwater found inside caves.
And let's not forget glaciers: they are a huge source of frozen freshwater. Glaciers not only serve as the largest reservoirs of freshwater, but also have a role in shaping our planet's climate. Their slow movement shapes some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.
So, water not only sustains life, but it is also an artist itself; it creates the most beautiful landscapes. It truly is an amazing artist.
You can buy the book here 👇
Text copyright © Cláudia C. Barreira 2025.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
August 9th is the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
These population groups have deep traditional ties to their land.
They preserve and pass on their cultural heritage to younger generations for continuity. This heritage can be centuries or even thousands of years old, and has been passed down through generations.
Indigenous Peoples have a deep connection to nature. They have a thorough understanding of their surrounding landscapes, biodiversity, and natural resources. Many Indigenous communities live in harmony with the seasons, relying on what each season provides for food. Their hunting and fishing practices are also aligned with these seasonal cycles. 🌳
They serve as the protectors of their landscapes, biodiversity, and natural resources. Many Indigenous groups possess agricultural, forestry, and herding methods that promote sustainable food production. Acknowledging their cultural heritage is crucial, as it provides valuable insights into nature conservation and highlights their understanding of how significant climate shifts impact both their way of life and the surrounding environment.
“Lully Sheep to the Rescue” is a heartwarming children’s book that brings big ideas into a fun and magical adventure.
When Lully Sheep sees troubling news on TV, she sets off to Apple Valley, where the farmers are facing an unprecedented drought. Their crops are suffering, and the clouds have vanished! Determined to help, Lully and her friends team up to solve the mystery and bring the clouds back. 🐑🐖
This delightful story helps children playfully explore important questions: Why is water so important for all living beings? ☁️ What happens when clouds disappear? ⛈️
With colorful storytelling and lovable characters, Lully Sheep to the Rescue introduces young readers to the wonders of the water cycle and inspires them to take action for a sustainable future.
Bonus: The book provides a clear and engaging explanation of the water cycle, helping children understand the origins of clouds and the importance of water.
October 15: International Day of Rural Women
October 15: International Day of Rural Women
October 15th marks the International Day of Rural Women — a day to recognize and honor the vital role women play in agriculture and rural communities.
Since the emergence of agriculture, women have been central to food production, transforming agricultural and livestock products into food and clothing. For millennia, they’ve cultivated land, cared for animals, and sustained communities through their labor.
According to the United Nations, women produce nearly half of the world’s food. Yet, they continue to face significant inequalities compared to men. Many rural women lack the legal right to own land, struggle to access fertile soil and irrigation, and face barriers in acquiring machinery that could improve their productivity.
Despite these challenges, rural women remain active in farming and livestock to support their families. Unfortunately, limited access to education restricts their influence in policy-making and their ability to secure funding for better tools and market opportunities.
Agriculture and irrigation are deeply intertwined — and when climate shifts occur, such as droughts, crops and livestock suffer, threatening the livelihoods of entire families.
Before women gained access to education and formal employment, many relied on rudimentary farming as their primary means of survival, often working land that was distant from home, without machinery, proper irrigation methods, or access to fertilizer.
Today, it remains crucial to invest in education and resources for rural women. Empowering them to shape policies can lead to improvements not only in agriculture, but also in access to healthcare, clean drinking water, sanitation, education, fair wages, and better elderly care, while also helping to eliminate child labor in rural communities.
Equally important are their access to internet connectivity, financial inclusion, and improved transportation and mobility, all essential to reducing isolation and fostering a sense of global inclusion.
Let’s celebrate these powerful women!
Many rural women take on these roles not by choice, but because they have no alternative, shaped by entrenched traditions and political ideologies that limit their options.
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