Minister and oil executive defends UAE hosting U.N. climate summit
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber insists the world's seventh largest oil producer sees the 1.5° climate goal as its "North Star."
Climate & Health
Melting glaciers. Rising sea levels. Wildfires. Food shortages. Mass coral reef deaths and widespread species extinctions. Global pandemics. Every other issue is secondary. In a world of climate change, direct impacts on humanity already are evident on environments where we live and work and on the health and well-being of many populations.
Accelerated melting in the world's cryosphere alarms climate scientists
New measurements show a dramatic decline in the health of glaciers and sea ice, perpetuating the cycle of warming.
Clean energy buoys odds for Paris Agreement's preferred 1.5° limit
In 2015, nations committed to hold global warming to no more than 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels, or preferably 1.5°.
Developing nations address climate threat at U.N.'s high-level gathering
Some in the developing world fear that the war in Ukraine is diverting attention away from the dangers of climate change.
Negotiations for a pandemic treaty gain ground in political declaration
The U.N. health agency praised world leaders for a 'historic' commitment to working together against future pandemics.
OPEC and IEA chief at odds over global demand for oil, gas and coal
Oil producers took issue with a prediction by the energy agency's chief that demand for fossil fuels will peak by 2030.
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.
Leaked audio indicates U.N. climate summit host will try to limit scrutiny
In the recording, UAE officials anticipate a need to "minimize" attacks on the Gulf nation's human rights record when it hosts COP28 in Dubai later this year.
UNESCO World Heritage sites contain 20% of known species
The 1,157 protected sites account for less than 1% of Earth's surface but play vital roles as biodiversity hotspots.
Extreme weather is 'new norm' as sea level rise threatens Pacific areas
WMO said the summer of extremes continues: July was the hottest month ever recorded and the high-impact weather continues through August.
New global fund launches to restore biodiversity in developing countries
The Global Environment Facility set up the new multilateral fund with key initial investments from Canada and the U.K.
Danger of exhausting local water supply puts 1-in-4 at risk globally
'Extremely high water stress' afflicts 83% of the population in the Middle East and North Africa and 74% in South Asia.
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.
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.
Scientists link human impacts to heat waves in U.S., Europe and China
Heat waves can be expected about once every 15 years in the U.S. and Mexico, once a decade in Southern Europe, and once every 5 years in China, according to the study.