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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Climate shocks set to worsen already fragile hotspots, Security Council hears

Climate shocks set to worsen already fragile hotspots, Security Council hears

Climate shocks are triggering worsening security environments, from Afghanistan to Mali, and UN peacekeeping missions are taking steps to adapt, from reducing their carbon footprint to addressing myriad related consequences. “Given the growing linkages of climate change, peace, and security as well as the broader changes to the conflict dynamics in the areas in which…

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G7 nations, ‘central to climate action’ says Guterres, calling for global reset

G7 nations, ‘central to climate action’ says Guterres, calling for global reset

The G7, which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union, is meeting in the city where the first atomic bomb was dropped in 1945, a place which Secretary-General António Guterres described, as a “testament to the human spirit”. “Whenever I visit, I am inspired by…

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Current climate polices ‘a death sentence’ for the world, warns Guterres

Current climate polices ‘a death sentence’ for the world, warns Guterres

Antonio Guterres was addressing via videolink, the fourth meeting of the Major Economies Forum, convened by the United States President Joe Biden, which is designed to galvanize efforts to keep the global temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, within reach – in line with the Paris Agreement. Biggest coffers, biggest emitters “You are the…

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WMO calls for more investment in integrated weather and climate services

WMO calls for more investment in integrated weather and climate services

This investment is critical, including to ensure that energy infrastructure is resilient to climate-related shocks, and to harness the power of energy generated from sources such as the sun and wind, the UN agency said.  In this regard, WMO is stepping up its activities to promote tailored weather and climate information, and forecasts, that support…

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General Assembly votes to seek world court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action

General Assembly votes to seek world court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action

The resolution was put forward by the cyclone-battered Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, supported by a “core group” of 17 countries from various regions, and is focused on the adverse impacts of climate change on small island developing States as well as climate justice.  The ICJ, also known as the world court, is the UN’s…

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