Ruoergai Wetlands Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China: In order to solve environmental problems, you first need to understand them. The expertise of UNV volunteers studying China's wetlands is helping to preserve biodiversity. Read

Amhara and Oromia States, Ethiopia: A UNV-led youth volunteering project is helping to combat desertification in Ethiopia by teaching young people about the environment and putting them to work in their communities. Read

Gore, Chad: It's easy to think being a refugee is a short-term situation, but in the camps of southern Chad people could be staying for a while. Helping them with longer-term development is Amadou Boubakar, a UNV volunteer Environmental Officer with UNHCR. Read

Bonn, Germany: Volunteers are making a significant impact on environmental programmes through the internet. Since 2000, online volunteers engaged via the UNV Online Volunteering service have undertaken 1,350 environmental assignments. On World Environment Day, 5 June, more than 100 online volunteers are involved in current initiatives. Read

Bonn, Germany: Volunteerism is critical in responding to environmental and sustainable development challenges such as the preservation of biological diversity. Maintaining the diversity of nature is going to require the dedication of us all. "That means recognizing people who are already acting," said UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity. Read

Damascus, Syria: The climate is in constant change... This was the main reason behind my application to become a UNV volunteer.

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Damascus, Syria: Volunteers have planted a forest near Damascus to increase biodiversity in their area. Staff from UNV, other UN agencies and many local volunteers were involved in the planting of 3,500 cedar, cypress, stone pine and wild pear trees in a nine-hectare plot. Read

Beijing, China: Volunteers in China organized by UNV and partners have launched "Smiling Beijing, Green Olympics" to promote volunteer action to save energy consumption and reduce pollution. Read

Apia, Samoa: UNV volunteer Dr. Willy Morrell has been helping to plant trees as part of a carbon-offsetting initiative at the South Pacific Games, held from 25 August to 8 September in Samoa. The project is helping to green the local environment and also offset the carbon emissions of the thousands of spectators, competitors and officials who have traveled from more than 22 countries to attend the Games. Read

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: It is not everyday that UNV volunteers and fishermen rub shoulders with an international celebrity. But the visit last week of Ms. Misako Konno, Japanese actress and writer, brought some rare glamour and excitement to a UN Volunteers project on Tonlé Sap Lake. Read