Global Us: What connects us all

In Ghana, there’s hardly a dish that doesn’t include plantains. Deep fried and spicy, they’re a key component in Ghanaian cuisine. And hot off the grill, they’re also a perfect snack for that special craving.

Central America's smallest country, El Salvador, is being increasingly battered by the effects of climate change — drought, floods and violent storms. The small organization CESTA has long been fighting for more environmental protection in its own country.

Madame Fokou Alvine shows you her home in Cameroon, where she lives with her husband and her children.

Familial Forestry distributes fruit tree seedlings to families and schools, who are instructed to treat the saplings like family members. The project aims to increase tree cover, produce fruit and slow down the expansion of the desert in Rajasthan.

A valuable ecosystem lies on the seabed off the coast of the Maldives: seagrass meadows. Once under threat, these underwater meadows are now protected and the focus of research. They store carbon dioxide and protect the islands from erosion.

Fresh fruit and veg is expensive in Ghana, with demand met mainly by imports. Alberta Akosa's NGO Agrihouse Foundation encourages women to plant their own backyard gardens, which allows them to feed their families and also secures them an income.

Fresh produce is expensive in Ghana, with demand met mainly by imports. The Agrihouse Foundation encourages women to plant their own backyard gardens, which allows them to feed their families and secure an income.

Sustained droughts are wiping out trees in Tanzania. The organization Justdiggit wants to remedy the situation by planting trees in small holes for moisture collection. The trees grow better and fertile soil returns in their shadows.

The demand for drinking water is increasing with the growing global population, and it's in short supply in many heavily populated regions. Desalinating could help, but current methods are expensive. Could it be made more cost effective?

Little remains of Lebanon's iconic cedar forests and the 'Trees for Lebanon' project wants to bring them back. It is fighting for the environment and against discrimination and poverty at the same time.