A papal messenger of climate action and 'hope, humility and humanity'
U.N. leaders hailed Pope Francis as a champion of the environment and tireless advocate of refugees and migrants.
Climate & Health
Our coverage of the growing convergence of climate and global health issues, including the latest news on the science, politics and economics that are behind it.
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Nations make 'history in Geneva' with landmark pandemic treaty deal
WHO members finally reach consensus on a draft pandemic agreement after 13 formal rounds of meetings since Dec. 2021.
U.N. health agency members closing in on a new pandemic agreement
Talks will reconvene next week to finish a proposed global accord for the World Health Assembly to take up in May.
Global aid cuts pose 'threat of major backsliding' with maternal deaths
The loss of funding could unravel major progress since 2000 in reducing women's deaths during pregnancy and childbirth.
Health leaders warn of huge risks if U.S. cuts support for Gavi vaccines
One donor predicts more than 1 million kids in poor countries could die without U.S. funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Childhood tuberculosis cases surge by 10% in Europe and Central Asia
The spike in the world’s deadliest infectious disease comes as officials warn global aid cuts could lead to a resurgence.
Climate action to save glaciers 'a matter of survival' for people too
More than 275,000 glaciers cover 700,000 square kilometers of the planet. Glaciers and ice sheets store 70% of all freshwater.
'Spiraling weather and climate impacts’ from record carbon levels
The U.N. weather agency says some human-induced effects will be 'irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years.'
Nations rush to cash in as warming opens up Arctic's mineral wealth
The Arctic Council finds itself at a difficult crossroads as its member nations move to exploit the region's mineral wealth.
Trump-mandated funding cuts threaten HIV/AIDS work worldwide
Health officials say millions of lives are at risk as the U.S. withdraws funding from treatment and prevention programs.
Scattered climate follow-through as more scientists offer grim updates
Record heat and rightward political shifts toward nationalist self-interest undermine efforts to cut fossil fuel dependence.
Hiring freeze at WHO as U.S. exit threatens global health programs
WHO's emergency moves follow months of warnings the U.N. health agency faces severe impacts if U.S. funding dries up.
Trump announces U.S. exit from climate treaty, U.N. health agency
The process of forcing the United States to withdraw from the Paris climate treaty and WHO will take a year to complete.
2024 is warmest year on record, surpassing 1.5° Paris treaty target
The U.N. weather agency says the Paris Agreement's long-term temperature goal is "not yet dead but in grave danger."
Vanuatu climate and rights case led by law students goes to world court
The landmark case is expected to involve nearly 100 countries and more than a dozen intergovernmental organizations.
COP29 summit ends with pledge to spend billions on climate change
Developing nations say the global deal falls short. U.N. chief Guterres says it 'provides a base on which to build.'