Extreme weather highlights need for greater climate action: WMO

Extreme weather highlights need for greater climate action: WMO

According to the UN weather agency, June witnessed the warmest global average temperature on record, and heatwaves have persisted into early July. Torrential rains and floods have resulted in dozens of fatalities and affected millions in the United States, Japan, China and India. ‘New normal’ “The extreme weather – an increasingly frequent occurrence in our…

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Cooperation key to weathering climate crisis, growing inequality, new tech challenge: Guterres

Cooperation key to weathering climate crisis, growing inequality, new tech challenge: Guterres

António Guterres was addressing the Council of The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the world’s largest regional security body in terms of landmass and population which currently includes China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and new member Iran. The UN has had a cooperation agreement with the Asia-focused SCO since 2010, which also partners…

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At Caribbean Summit, UN chief calls for climate action, debt relief, and urgent aid for Haiti

At Caribbean Summit, UN chief calls for climate action, debt relief, and urgent aid for Haiti

Haiti The security situation in Haiti “is appalling,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, recalling his recent visit to the fragile nation. He called for swift action at a time when the humanitarian needs are “soaring”. And although “there is not yet the political solution in sight”, the UN chief expressed hope and optimism. “It is…

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UN deputy chief praises China’s investment in tackling climate change, forging ‘new development pathway’

UN deputy chief praises China’s investment in tackling climate change, forging ‘new development pathway’

“The challenges are many and they are serious”, Amina Mohammed said, highlighting the plight of the planet. “Almost all our indicators on the climate and ecological crises are pointing in the wrong direction.” She praised China’s role in being an innovator and believer in the power of multilateralism to overcome challenges through collection action, pointing…

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Legal protection essential for people displaced by climate change: UN expert

Legal protection essential for people displaced by climate change: UN expert

“The effects of climate change are becoming more severe, and the number of people displaced across international borders is rapidly increasing,” said Ian Fry, independent human rights expert on climate change, who took up the new post last year.  “In 2020 alone, 30.7 million people were displaced from their homes due to weather-related events. Droughts…

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Guterres calls for phasing out fossil fuels to avoid climate ‘catastrophe’

Guterres calls for phasing out fossil fuels to avoid climate ‘catastrophe’

“We are hurtling towards disaster, eyes wide open”, he said.  “It’s time to wake up and step up.”  Mr. Guterres was speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters following a meeting with civil society climate leaders from across the world.  ‘Catastrophe’ looms  He said limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible but will…

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