united-nations
World held hostage by reliance on fossil fuels, Christiana Figueres warns — and climate health impacts are ‘mother of all injustices’
Former UN climate chief to co-chair Lancet Commission examining how sea-level rise is reshaping health, well-being, and inequality.
Women and girls bearing brunt of water shortages globally, UN warns
Unesco calls for action as lack of access and sanitation hits health, education and food security of women.
As Iran war roils energy markets, backers of renewables wish for a boost
The Iran war is shaking the global energy system and with it Earth's climate future.
US takes aim at UN climate proposal
The Trump administration is urging other nations to press a tiny Pacific island country to withdraw a United Nations draft resolution supporting strong action to prevent climate change, including reparations for damage caused by any nation that fails to take action.
Fossil fuel firms may have to pay for climate damage under proposed UN tax
Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation could also force ultra-rich to pay global wealth tax.
Climate change exacerbates global hunger crisis
One in 11 people experienced hunger last year, with climate change playing a major role.
In short:
- A United Nations report reveals that climate change and conflict are major drivers of global hunger and food insecurity.
- In 2023, 733 million people went hungry, with significant increases in chronic undernourishment since 2019.
- Extreme weather events and migration due to climate change disrupt food production and supply chains, worsening food insecurity.
Key quote:
“The agrifood system is working under risk and uncertainties, and these risks and uncertainties are being accelerated because of climate [change] and the frequency of climate events.”
— Máximo Torero Cullen, chief economist of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization
Why this matters:
Global hunger and food insecurity threaten human rights and economic stability, particularly in low-income nations. Without climate action, these issues will worsen, fueling more migration and conflict.
Most citizens in fossil fuel nations favor rapid shift to clean energy
A UN poll reveals that citizens in major fossil fuel-producing countries support a quick transition to clean energy to combat climate change.
In short:
- The UN’s largest climate opinion poll shows a majority in 77 countries want swift clean energy transitions.
- 86% of global respondents favor cooperation on climate change, transcending geopolitical differences.
- Significant support for fast transition seen in China, India, the US, and Saudi Arabia among others.
Key quote:
“There can be no doubt that citizens across the world are saying to their leaders, you have to act and, above all, have to act faster.”
— Achim Steiner, UNDP head
Why this matters:
Public demand for rapid energy transitions emphasizes global awareness and urgency about climate change. Broad support for international cooperation suggests potential for unified climate action, despite rising nationalism and conflicts.
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