Global Us: What connects us all

The Prunus Africana, also known as Red Stinkwood or Muiri, is a miracle of natural medicine. Traditional healers in Kenya use its bark to make remedies for a broad range of disorders. Improper methods of harvesting the bark and illegal logging, however, have made it an endangered species.

Giraffes were placed on the Red List of endangered species in 2016. Niger has only a few hundred West African giraffe left, many in a protected zone not far from the capital Niamey. Even there, humans and giraffes compete for many of the same resources.

Around 55 million tons of bananas are harvested every year. Ecuador is one of the world's leading exporters. But production of the Cavendish variety of the fruit is currently threatened by a fungal disease.

In the Mayan language, 'Guatemala' means 'Land of Trees'. But now less than a third of the country is covered by rain forest, while sugarcane and palm oil plantations eat away at what’s left. One movement is doing something about it.

The area around Kenya's Lake Naivasha is known colloquially as the flower bed of Africa. The cut flowers industry generates 5% of Kenya's GDP – and causes extensive pollution. Fertilizers from its fields drain directly into the lake’s waters.

In the metropolis of Belém at the mouth of the Amazon River, you don't have to look far for a bite to eat. Açaí is sold at the city's renowned Mercardo Vero Peso market. The slightly bitter palm fruit is packed with vitamins – and eaten best with fried fish.

The area around Kenya's Lake Naivasha is known colloquially as the flower bed of Africa. The cut flowers industry generates 5% of Kenya's GDP – and causes extensive pollution. Fertilizers from its fields drain directly into the lake’s waters.

Storms, devastating floods, heatwaves and cold snaps. Vietnam is facing increasingly extreme weather events. Life in rural areas is hard. People are having to adapt to the changing conditions.

Training schools for orangutans form part of a project by the Frankfurt Zoological Society on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Orangutans bred in captivity are prepared for life in the wild and then released into the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park.

War has devastated the central African wilderness. Rebel groups forage for food or sell ivory, gold and diamonds to buy weapons. Since the beginning of 2017, Luis Arranz has been working for WWF in Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas.