Primary forest loss up 12% despite pandemic
Old-growth tropical forest losses rose 12% in 2020 accelerated by commerce and climate-related factors, according to Global Forest Watch.
Climate & Health
Melting glaciers. Rising sea levels. Wildfires. Food shortages. Widespread species extinctions. Global pandemics. Every other issue is secondary. The climate crisis is a health crisis — a reality highlighted by WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who points to the links between extreme weather, disease, and noncommunicable diseases. Science, politics, and economics are all at the heart of this urgent global issue.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
WHO report points to animal source of virus
The coronavirus was likely transmitted initially from bats to humans through another animal and not from an accident in a Chinese lab, scientists reported.
World leaders propose new pandemic treaty
Twenty five nations joined with the European Council and World Health Organization in making an "urgent call" for creation of an international pandemic treaty.
Delays foreseen with COVAX vaccine deliveries
International organizations acknowledged significant delays in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to poor nations due to pressure from India.
NATO ministers agree to climate strategy shift
Foreign ministers to NATO agreed to elevate the importance of global warming and other major environmental threats in military planning and strategy.
Women 'excluded' from COVID-19 task forces
Government efforts to fight the pandemic include just one woman for every three men on average, according to UNDP, which urged more gender equality.
WMO cautions against seasonal easing on virus
The U.N. weather agency advised governments against relaxing COVID-19 restrictions based on assumptions the coronavirus will decline with warm weather.
First WHO listing for one-shot COVID-19 vaccine
WHO approved Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, adding a fourth shot to the international arsenal of tools against the pandemic.
Pandemic hits anticipated halfway point
One year on, the pandemic has prompted one of the most remarkable scientific efforts — and brought into sharper focus many of the world's inequities.
Food waste could circle Earth sevenfold
While one-in-10 people on the planet suffers chronic hunger, the world wastes about 17% of all the food that is produced each year, UNEP reported.
Analysis finds climate pledges 'fall far short'
The world's promised cuts in greenhouse gases come nowhere close to fulfilling the 2015 Paris Agreement, according to a new U.N. analysis.
COVAX starts global vaccine push in Ghana
The COVAX Facility's global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines finally launched with the delivery of 600,000 doses to Ghana's capital Accra.
U.S. welcomed back to Paris climate treaty
French President Emmanuel Macron led a chorus of world leaders and advocates in celebrating the United States' official return to the 2015 Paris Agreement.
UNEP plan seeks way out of nature crisis
In a new major report, the U.N. Environment Program recommended a "scientific blueprint" for governments to tackle three environmental crises at once.
Airlines to help U.N. spread COVID-19 vaccines
Sixteen airlines joined a UNICEF-led initiative to push for speedier deliveries of coronavirus vaccines and medical supplies among more than 100 nations.
WHO adds vaccines for emergency use
WHO listed two of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccines for emergency use, only the second instance of approvals granted since the pandemic began.