Collecting data on cetaceans is difficult because they live far offshore. In Alaska, scientists have been observing orcas since the 1970s. Living Planet reporter Emily Schwing was there when they sighted a superpod of whales.

The latest study on the situation of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the globe shows that species have experienced mixed fortunes: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species update finds that some large species, like humpbacks, have increased in number. Populations of smaller species, such as river dolphins, however, have been declining.

The conservation union IUCN is convinced their findings show that efforts to protect animals pay off and that species can recover. But they’ve only been able to assess half of the world’s cetaceans because of a lack of data.

Collecting data for cetaceans is indeed very difficult: They live far offshore, and some of them are found in remote parts of the world. In Alaska, researchers have been studying whales off the coast since the 1970s. This summer, one main focus of research was on orcas, or killer whales. In the Northwestern portion of the Gulf of Alaska, a whalewatching tour boat recently reported sighting a pod of killer whales. But what researchers found wasn’t just a pod… it was a superpod!

Report: Emily Schwing

Who says young people are not interested in becoming active to protect the environment? We give you the "Climate Change College" ambassadors who carry out projects all across Europe.

The UN’s International Youth Day was celebrated around the globe on August the 12th. This year, it was dedicated to combating climate change, with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling on young people around the world to become active in tackling the climate change problem.

A group of young people have been doing exactly that, as "climate ambassadors" and students of the Climate Change College. This summer, they went on a field trip to Arctic Alaska earlier this summer. And their commitment to tackling climate change doesn’t stop there.

Report: Irene Quaile

Cyprus is suffering the worst drought in 100 years. The Mediterranean island has started rationing its water, and found an intriguing solution against empty water reservoirs.

While here in Germany and other parts of northern Europe are suffering from heavy rain and frequent flooding, the sunny Mediterranean tourist island of Cyprus is grappling with the opposite problem.

Cyprus is chronically short of water - some parts of the island have had no more than a brief shower for over four years. Water reserves are now at their lowest level for a century. But the Cypriots have come up with an intriguing solution.

Report: Tabitha Morgan

Switzerland is a popular destination with tourists. Tourism is one of the country’s most important industries. Switzerland, it seems, is an ideal destination for people looking to spend their holidays close to nature.

And that’s what more and more people are interested in. There are no reliable figures on eco-tourism in Switzerland just yet, but tourism experts believe the number of eco-tourists in the country has risen sharply over the past few years.

One region that was amongst the first to embrace the concept, is the Entlebuch region, between Bern and Lucerne. In 2001, it was accepted as the first Swiss UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

These are pilot regions, where the emphasis is on conservation of the natural and cultural landscapes, while bolstering the economy by actively involving the locals in shaping their livelihoods and opportunities for business and recreation.

Report: Veronika Meier/ Catherine Graue