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From the Sahel to the coastal zone, West Africa is experiencing a variety of environmental changes resulting from both slow processes and sudden shocks. These changes significantly influence migration patterns of populations within and outside of West Africa. In this region, where natural resources are the basis of livelihoods and food security, the relationship between environmental change and socio-economic vulnerability is of particular concern. Environmental degradation impacts the vulnerability of populations and their resiliency in complex ways. The presence of environmental and climatic stresses varies geographically. While desertification and drought are of primary importance for some areas, flooding, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels are the main dangers for others. Within the same population affected by the same climate threats, vulnerability and the likelihood of migration are influenced by socio-economic status, dependence on natural resources, and demographic characteristics. Given the differentiated vulnerabilities and resilience capacities, policies need to be adapted and implemented according to the particular needs of the populations. Policy-makers must also take account of vulnerability as perceived by the people concerned. Therefore, environmental mobility cannot be considered as strictly rational behavior based on real vulnerability. Local populations need to be informed of current and future environmental changes in order to accompany their mobility decisions. Migration can also be an important tool for resilience to socio-environmental change. Creating hosting infrastructure and putting in place mechanisms to protect migrants and displaced persons is a necessary step to mitigate future risks. Regional authorities need to work together to strengthen the resilience of communities of origin to climate shocks, but they must also facilitate migration as an adaptation strategy. De la zone aride au nord à la zone tropicale humide au sud, l’Afrique de l’Ouestconnaît une variété de changements environnementaux quiinfluencent les schémas de migration,tant interne que vers l’extérieur, de ses populations.Alors que la désertification et la sécheresse affectent particulièrement certaines zones, les inondations, l’érosion côtière et l’élévation du niveau de la mer sont les principaux dangers dans d’autres. Dans uncontexte où les ressources naturelles constituent la base des moyens de subsistance et de la sécurité alimentaire, la dégradation de l’environnement impacte de façon complexe la vulnérabilité des populations et ses capacités de résilience. Affectéspar les mêmes menaces climatiques, la vulnérabilité et la probabilité de migrer des individus/ménages sont influencées par leur dépendance aux ressources naturelles,leur statut socio-économique, et leurs caractéristiques démographiques. Compte tenu de ces différences, il est nécessaire que des politiques soient mises en œuvre pour répondre auxbesoins particuliers des populationslocales. Ces dernièresdoivent être informées des changements environnementaux actuels et futurs.La mobilité environnementale ne peut pas être considérée comme un comportement strictement rationnel basé sur la vulnérabilité réelle, les décideurs doivent également tenir compte de la vulnérabilité perçue par les personnes concernées. Créer des infrastructures d’accueil et mettre en place des mécanismes de protection des migrants et des personnesdéplacées est une étape nécessaire pour atténuer les risques futurs. Les autorités régionales doivent travailler ensemble pour renforcer la résilience des communautés d’origine aux chocs climatiques, mais ils doivent aussi faciliter la migration comme une stratégie d’adaptation.

This paper analysis the use of renewable energy sources (RES) dedicated mainly for electricity generation in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Hydropower sector including both large (medium) and small power plants is particularly considered. The region has very limited energy resources of its own and is heavily dependent on the import of the primary energy sources (in some way except Estonia). The main objective of energy policy of the Baltic countries is to reduce such a total dependence by favouring the use of RES. A brief description of energy sector is given, focusing on electricity generation. RES potential currently in use and to be exploited in the future is discussed. The countries targets broken down according to the individual RES to meet the EU "green" electricity directive (20011771 CE) are presented. Small and large hydropower potential is analyzed, a general overview of hydroplants in operation and planned schemes is provided. A particular attention is devoted to environmental and social aspects of hydropower development. The requirements of the protected areas in relation to dam construction are analyzed. an estimation of resistance to small hydropower development is shown. The environmental legislation including forbidden rivers for damming actually in force in the Baltic countries is considered: hydropower image perceptible by general public, NGOs and official environmental bodies are discussed. The causes and legal basis of the promulgation of the list of forbidden rivers are revealed. A conclusion is drawn that the contradiction between the two EU legal frameworks - environmental protection and promotion of renewables, in the case of hydropower exists. The evaluation of the quantitative impact of the forbidden rivers on hydropower resources in Lithuania proves the environmental legislation is one of the strictest in the European countries.

The St-Paul and Amsterdam (SPA) islands are surrounded by giant kelp of which the most abundant is Macrocystis pyrifera, a monospecific genus widely spread in both hemispheres. In SPA, the species is at the northern limit of its southern distribution. M. pyrifera is limited by the winter isotherm 3°C (lethality at 2°C) and the summer isotherm 18°C (lethality between 21 and 25°C). The average temperature of the sea water in SPA fluctuates between 12.5°C in winter and 19.5°C in summer. It is likely that the species may be threatened by the effects of climate change as observed in Tasmania. The problem would be related to the consequences of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), notably a decrease in precipitation and an increase in sea surface temperatures as well as mortality due to storms. {"references": ["F\u00e9ral (J.-P.) 2023. Les composantes biologiques : flore et faune marines subtropicales de l'h\u00e9misph\u00e8re sud \u2013 Les ceintures de Phaeophyceae. In: G. Duhamel (coord.) Les \u00eeles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam (Oc\u00e9an Indien sud) : environnement marin et p\u00eacheries. Mus\u00e9um national d'histoire naturelle, Paris, pp. 44-50 (Patrimoines naturels : 84) \u27e8hal-03575185\u27e9, doi : 10.5281/zenodo.7768595"]}