Global coronavirus cases exceed 70 million
Confirmed COVID-19 cases topped 70 million with 1.58 million deaths as the pandemic raged out of control and nations pinned hopes on rolling out vaccines.
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. "The climate crisis is a health crisis," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, pointing to links between weather events, disease outbreaks, and noncommunicable diseases.
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UNEP report points to catastrophic warming
Unmet promises to cut carbon emissions put the planet on track for temperatures to rise "in excess of 3 degrees Celsius this century," UNEP reported.
Big pharma sees wide use of vaccines by late 2021
Several CEOs of leading drugmakers expressed confidence the pandemic can be brought under control starting sometime in the second half of next year.
New U.N. 'day' to aid efforts against epidemics
After holding its first high-level session on the pandemic, the U.N. General Assembly created a new "international day" to prevent health crises like COVID-19.
U.N. calls on nations to end 'war on nature'
The U.N. chief appealed to world leaders to start fixing our "broken" planet by ringing in 2021 with a commitment to a carbon pollution-neutral future.
IUCN finds climate top threat to UNESCO sites
Climate change is damaging one-third of the world's UNESCO sites and has become the single-biggest threat they face, IUCN warned.
WHO plugs need for testing even after vaccines
Even after COVID-19 vaccines become available, nations must offer widespread testing against infections to end the pandemic, WHO's chief said.
Global coronavirus cases surpass 60 million
The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections across the world topped 60 million with 1.4 million deaths as drug makers rush to produce new vaccines.
WMO says CO2 levels again at record high
Atmospheric CO2 levels reached a record high in 2019 and are expected to keep rising this year despite an economic slowdown due to the pandemic.
G-20 pledges global access to vaccines
G-20 leaders ended a summit promising to make COVID-19 vaccines affordable and equally accessible for all and to support the U.N. health agency.
IFRC finds climate aid not reaching most in need
None of the 20 nations most vulnerable to climate change were among the top recipients of aid to help adapt to global warming, IFRC reported.
WHO chief says vaccines alone won't end pandemic
WHO’s chief said reports of Moderna's experimental coronavirus vaccine were "encouraging news," but cautioned more will be needed to end the pandemic.
Pledges to ensure vaccines access in poorer nations
International organizations and European governments pledged to broaden access to vaccines among poorer nations at the third annual Paris Peace Forum.
Envoy says 126 nations seek carbon neutrality
The top U.N. official for global climate action said 65% of the world body's 193 member nations will seek net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Coronavirus cases top 50 million worldwide
Coronavirus cases topped 50 million with 1.25 million deaths as a second wave made Europe the worst-hit region and brought a record number of U.S. cases.
U.S. poised to rejoin global health, climate efforts
Elected 46th president of the United States on Saturday, Democrat Joe Biden signaled policy reversals to combat the pandemic and global warming.