Global Us: What connects us all

The blue-billed curassow is one of the world’s most endangered birds. It can still be found in Colombia’s Magdalena region. But even here its habitat is shrinking, as land is cleared to make way for coca plantations and animal ranches.

Plastic waste is a serious problem on the island nation of Sao Tomé and Principe off the west coast of Africa. A local initiative tackles the problem by involving the whole population in collecting plastic bottles.

In Africa's greatest mammal migration, around 10 million fruit bats travel from Congo to Kasanka National Park in Zambia every year. The species is under threat: they're hunted in Congo, and their forest habitat in Zambia is shrinking.

Canadian entrepreneur Tim Jones runs a successful urban development organization. Artspace brings together creatives in real estate projects, serves the needs of the arts and cultural community and helps upgrade neighborhoods responsibly.

The Schmierers live in Hong Kong. Stefan Schmierer is a lawyer who was born in Stuttgart. His wife Elaine is a designer born in city. They have an 18-month-old daughter named Gabriella.

Coffee is one of Costa Rica's main exports but coffee production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts are underway to make it less environmentally damaging.

Hot dogs are among the most popular snacks in Denmark. They're sold on every other street corner in Copenhagen, usually served with mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, onions and pickled cucumber.

In South Africa, 68 percent of mothers of babies under 2 are single parents. The Clothing Bank project trains them to set up small businesses, selling clothes they've bought at discounted prices.

Peru's coast is home to a large population of giant manta rays, spanning as much as 7 meters. Peruvian conservationist Kerstin Forsberg has managed to get them classified as a protected species and is trying to persuade fishermen not to catch them.

Peru's coast is home to a large population of giant manta rays, spanning as much as 7 meters. Peruvian conservationist Kerstin Forsberg has managed to get them classified as a protected species and is trying to persuade fishermen not to catch them.