Leaders appeal for action and unity at polarized U.N. climate talks
The summit is supposed to work out a 'rulebook' for nations to follow to fulfill their Paris Agreement climate pledges.
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
Panel finds toxic work culture under 'patriarchal' UNAIDS leadership
An independent panel says the embattled U.N. agency is rife with sexual harassment, bullying and abuse of power.
Global carbon emissions projected at record high with 2-3% annual rise
Ahead of U.N. climate talks, studies show carbon dioxide released in 2018 will be the biggest increase in seven years.
Global health care systems hang in the balance of U.N. climate talks
Air pollution concentrations tied to greenhouse gases worsened in almost 70% of cities from 2010 to 2016.
Nations' plans for cutting carbon emissions are dangerously off-track
Global greenhouse gas emissions, rather than fall, rose in 2017 by 0.7 gigatons to 53.5 gigatons, after three years of decreases.
Move over tobacco, air pollution is the next major public health target
As much as 91% of the world's population breathes unhealthy air, which is why it's the focus of a global health conference.
Experts dash false hopes that climate change won't bring misery
The Nobel Prize-winning U.N. panel on climate change said it's life or death for much of the planet as soon as 2040.
Nations agree to fishing ban allowing Arctic marine protections
Concerns about climate change's rapid rate of advance in the far north drove three years of talks on commercial fishing.
Critics see lost chance on fighting noncommunicable diseases
Low- and middle-income countries and the poorest and most vulnerable populations worldwide are the hardest hit.
Wetlands vanishing at triple rate of forests as global temperatures rise
The losses from 1970 to 2015 threaten the 'world's most valuable ecosystem' with a huge amount of biodiversity.
Nuclear power's complexities emerge in the age of climate change
The picture is complicated by safety and environmental concerns and IAEA's dual roles as watchdog and promoter.
High seas treaty moves a step closer to reality among U.N. delegates
A new treaty is being negotiated aimed at protecting the rich biodiversity of the open ocean against commercial pressures.
Hot planet on a path of 'suicidal emissions' from fossil fuel burning
The U.N. secretary-general demanded that nations act far faster and more decisively to combat the climate crisis.
Polar research looks at climate unknowns in southernmost ocean
One of the themes of a polar conference focuses on the need for more scientific research into the Southern Ocean.
U.N. report identifies vast climate risks in exceeding 1.5° Celsius limit
The report from the U.N.'s Nobel Prize-winning climate panel aims to strenghten nations' actions under the Paris treaty.
Transition to renewable energy lags behind Paris treaty climate goals
High shares of renewables are being integrated in the power sector, but not fast enough to fight climate change.