Africa aspires to major role in the effort to combat climate change
African leaders say they have a market-based plan to fight human-caused global warming that will spread economic development among millions of people on the continent.
Brazil
Amazon nations renew cooperation but fall short on deforestation plan
The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization agreed on some policies but not a unified goal to end deforestation.
Global food prices jump after Russia scraps U.N.-brokered grain deal
Increasing rice prices from India's ban “raises substantial food security concerns for a large swath of the world population."
Newly elected IPCC chair cautions against climate doom and gloom
Scottish energy expert Jim Skea said it's important not to despair over the 'existential threat' from rising temperatures.
Global climate litigation to force action more than doubles in 5 years
As climate litigation increases, the body of legal precedent grows, forming an increasingly well-defined field of law.
Deep-sea mining emerges as a flashpoint in shift from fossil fuels
Mining the deep seas: The best way forward to a green energy transition, or a looming environmental disaster?
Macron calls for "public finance shock" to curb climate pollution
Speakers blamed major economies for a system that puts profits over fighting poverty and caring for the planet.
Just 1-in-5 countries keeping up with U.N. human rights reporting duties
The treaty body that gets the worst cooperation is the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
U.N. stalemate over autonomous weapons enters second decade
Delegates in Geneva were able to muster a non-binding report that essentially prolongs a decade-old geopolitical impasse.
Faking content is getting easier. Digging for truth is getting harder.
There's a growing industry and more tools for producing and distributing disinformation. Meanwhile, authorities are getting more aggressive and hostile toward journalists.
World marks horrific slave trade history to guard against more abuses
The commemoration is not meant to be a look solely into the past; the idea is to preserve and teach an ugly chapter of history that might help ward off humanity’s worst impulses.
U.S. formally withdraws from Paris climate accord
The U.S. became the first nation to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, jeopardizing efforts at curbing the worst impacts of global warming this century.
Coronavirus cases top 30 million worldwide
Global coronavirus cases topped 30 million with 944,000 deaths, with the U.S., India, Brazil and Russia accounting for about half of the pandemic.
Treaty shows global diversity goals off-track
Humans are trashing the planet so fast it would take 1.7 "Earths" to regenerate all the biological resources used up from 2011 to 2016, a U.N. treaty reported.
Leaders seek 'quantum leap’ for vaccines
More than 30 nations pledged to help 10 international organizations raise US$35 billion for fast-tracking coronavirus tests, medicines and vaccines.
WADA dispute could entangle U.S. athletes
WADA said it will consider amending its rules to prevent the United States from jeopardizing the global anti-doping system.