Nations adopt goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030
The U.N. General Assembly called for all nations to work towards enabling affordable, quality health services for all.
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.
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Scientists report nations need to triple carbon-cutting to meet targets
A day before a U.N. summit, climate scientists said nations must reduce 'glaring' gaps between intention and action.
Youth climate activists at U.N. demand leaders stop wasting time
Students and young leaders met for a first U.N. Youth Climate Summit, pressing leaders to 'walk the talk' and save the planet.
Student-led 'strike' gains steam ahead of U.N. climate summit
Millions of children worldwide skipped classes to send a message they want governments to lead on the climate crisis.
Major investors with $35 trillion in assets pressure for climate action
More than 500 institutional investors urged governments to finally take significant action to reduce carbon emissions.
UNCTAD stresses climate impacts of trade ahead of summit to spur action
UNCTAD is looking at how to solve the climate crisis, particularly how sea level rise impacts small island nations.
Nations challenged to restore land fertility from desert landscapes
Farming, logging, mining and other human activities add to climate impacts on land, costing up to 17% of global GDP.
CITES tightens rules to protect wildlife trade on dozens of species
The summit is held once every three years to examine protections for wild animals and plants traded internationally.
U.N. health agency urges more extensive study of microplastics
Oceans, landfills and public spaces are filling with degraded bits and pieces of bottles, toys and other plastic pollution.
World leaders urged to adopt binding treaty protecting high seas
The treaty aims to strengthen protections for international waters beyond the jurisdiction of coastal nations.
Oxfam's Winnie Byanyima of Uganda to serve as the next head of UNAIDS
The activist, mechanical engineer and ex-parliamentarian is set to replace UNAIDS' embattled leader Michel Sidibé.
WFP to quadruple food aid in 4 countries hammered by drought
The U.N. food agency plans to offer food assistance to 700,000 people in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Youth climate movement decides strategy at Swiss-hosted summit
Their demands call for supporting developing nations, paying for cleaner technologies, and pressuring wealthy nations.
Climate report urges change in human diet to improve land use
The IPCC shows how overconsumption and ill treatment of animals, forests and plants is making global warming worse.
European Investment Bank may ban funding for fossil fuel energy
The aim is to fulfill the Paris treaty’s goal of limiting warming to no more than 2° C. above pre-industrial levels.
WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo a global health emergency
The U.N. health agency rejected an emergency declaration before but now fears Ebola spreading to other countries.