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Nepal's leader, at UN, says recent floods serve as a 'warning to the world' about climate change

Nepal's leader, at UN, says recent floods serve as a 'warning to the world' about climate change

A month after deadly floods, Nepal's prime minister says the climate-connected catastrophe is a warning to the rest of the world

Syrian leader lashes out at Israel in UN speech, says Golan is inseparable part of Syria

Syrian leader lashes out at Israel in UN speech, says Golan is inseparable part of Syria

Syria's leader has lashed out at Israel in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly

Mayor Brandon Johnson Proposes One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers in Chicago Amid Environmental Concerns

Mayor Brandon Johnson Proposes One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers in Chicago Amid Environmental Concerns

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed a one-year moratorium ordinance on new data center developments within the city. The ordinance, now in the hands of aldermen, aims to provide the city with time to develop comprehensive long-term policies addressing concerns related to pollution, water usage, and electricity costs associated with these facilities. Mayor Johnson emphasized that while Chicago welcomes innovation and investment, growth must occur responsibly, protecting the health, safety, and quality of life for residents. This proposal follows an executive order issued by Johnson last month, which directed city departments to increase scrutiny of new data centers and established a task force to craft new regulations. Ald. Maria Hadden, chair of the City Council Environmental Committee and a co-sponsor of the legislation, views the moratorium as a 'year safeguard' to allow the city to catch up on regulatory frameworks. The move has drawn criticism from the Data Center Coalition, an industry group, w...

Affordability and Air Conditioning Concerns Outweigh AI at New York Climate Week

Affordability and Air Conditioning Concerns Outweigh AI at New York Climate Week

During this year's New York Climate Week, discussions among venture capitalists, engineers, and policymakers revealed that affordability and the demand for air conditioning are currently more pressing concerns than artificial intelligence in the context of climate resilience. While the U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a final climate warning, the focus on the ground shifted to immediate, tangible issues affecting everyday citizens. Affordability has emerged as a significant midterm election issue in the U.S., impacting 15 public utility commission seats and 36 gubernatorial races. Furthermore, air conditioning, rather than AI, is projected to be the largest drain on power, with heat-related deaths on the rise, making increased grid capacity a critical need.

Reps. Ross and Foushee Introduce 'Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026' to Fund Climate and Health Research

Reps. Ross and Foushee Introduce 'Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026' to Fund Climate and Health Research

Reps. Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee have introduced the 'Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026' in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation aims to establish a three-year scientific research program focused on understanding the warming effects of tropospheric ozone, which is a ground-level air pollutant and a greenhouse gas. The proposed bill would allocate $10 million annually for this research. Furthermore, it mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) produce a comprehensive summary report detailing the findings of the research, associated costs, benefits, and recommendations for future research needs. The bill has garnered support from environmental advocacy groups, including the Clean Air Task Force and the Natural Resources Defense Council. This House bill follows companion legislation that was previously introduced in the Senate by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Brian Schatz.

Past Emissions from Top Polluters to Drive Decades of Global Warming, Study Finds

Past Emissions from Top Polluters to Drive Decades of Global Warming, Study Finds

A new University of Washington study, published in PLOS Climate, reveals that past emissions from the top 178 oil, gas, coal, and cement producers, collectively known as carbon majors, will continue to warm the planet for decades to come. Researchers simulated global climate through 2500 using the Finite Amplitude Impulse Response (FaIR) model, analyzing scenarios with varying emission levels. The study concludes that even if greenhouse gas emissions were to cease immediately, the Earth would remain approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels due to the long-term persistence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Dargan Frierson, a UW associate professor of atmospheric and climate science, emphasized that a stable future necessitates the complete cessation of fossil fuel burning. The findings highlight that the warming caused by past emissions from these carbon majors is calculable and relatively independent of future emission pathways, meaning their historical contributions will cont...

Polar Oceans' Carbon Sequestration Potential Underestimated in Climate Change Mitigation Policies

Polar Oceans' Carbon Sequestration Potential Underestimated in Climate Change Mitigation Policies

A new review by an international team of polar scientists, published within the Horizon Europe project POMP, highlights that polar oceans, including the Arctic and Antarctic, are largely unrecognized in global blue-carbon approaches for climate change mitigation. These regions, which constitute about 20% of the global ocean, are experiencing rapid environmental changes, with parts of the Arctic warming at up to four times the global average. While traditional blue-carbon strategies focus on tropical and temperate coastal ecosystems like mangroves and salt marshes, polar ecosystems also play a significant role in capturing and storing carbon. The review categorizes polar blue-carbon habitats, noting strong evidence for carbon storage in Arctic salt marshes and seagrass meadows. Other pathways, such as kelp, phytoplankton, and carbon stored in deep-sea sediments, are less understood but are expanding or contributing to carbon sequestration. The study emphasizes that current scientific and policy frameworks a...

Morocco Outlines Principles for UN Peacebuilding Commission Presidency

Morocco Outlines Principles for UN Peacebuilding Commission Presidency

Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, presented the key principles guiding Morocco's 2026 presidency of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) at a high-level meeting in New York. The meeting, focused on 'National ownership in practice: Strengthening inclusive state institutions,' included prominent figures such as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. Bourita emphasized the importance of strengthening national ownership in peacebuilding efforts through inclusive institutions and international partnerships that align with the priorities of the countries involved. He highlighted that the PBC, 20 years after its establishment, is at a crucial juncture, especially with the upcoming Pact for the Future and the 2025 review of the UN peacebuilding architecture. Morocco advocates for national ownership as a practical principle rooted in sovereignty, shared responsibility, and the...

UN expands list of companies linked to Israeli settlements

UN expands list of companies linked to Israeli settlements

GENEVA, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights office issued a list on Friday adding 61 more companies operating in Israeli West Bank settlements, which the global body considers illegal.

Philippines Strengthens Climate Reporting and Action with UN Collaboration

Philippines Strengthens Climate Reporting and Action with UN Collaboration

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) in the Philippines has partnered with experts from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for a five-day assessment of the country’s first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1). This evaluation aims to identify opportunities to enhance national climate reporting and integrate climate data more effectively into policies, programs, and investments. The BTR is a comprehensive document detailing the Philippines' progress in addressing climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation efforts, adaptation strategies, and support mechanisms under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework. The review process involves detailed discussions, Q&A sessions, and consultations between the UNFCCC expert review team and various Philippine government agencies involved in climate reporting and action. This initiative is designed to strengthen coordination among government institutions to produce consistent, reliable, and useful climate inf...

U.S., Denmark, and Greenland to Sign Arctic Security Agreement, Expanding U.S. Presence

U.S., Denmark, and Greenland to Sign Arctic Security Agreement, Expanding U.S. Presence

The United States, Denmark, and Greenland are poised to sign a new Arctic security agreement during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This deal is expected to significantly expand the U.S. military presence on the Arctic island of Greenland, while simultaneously aiming to prevent adversarial nations from establishing their own military bases in the region. Denmark has indicated that this agreement will integrate Arctic security more broadly within the NATO framework. While President Trump has characterized the agreement as granting the U.S. "permanent control" over Greenland's security, officials from Denmark and Greenland emphasize that the island's sovereignty and its people's right to self-determination remain unchanged. The full details of the agreement, including the extent of the planned U.S. military buildup, have not yet been publicly disclosed. This development occurs as President Trump prepares for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where topics such as trade, artificial i...

Florida Keys Face Flooding Amid Rising Sea Levels

Florida Keys Face Flooding Amid Rising Sea Levels

The Florida Keys are experiencing significant flooding due to rising sea levels, a phenomenon exacerbated by climate change. Local authorities have reported that several low-lying areas are already submerged, with water levels expected to rise further in the coming days. The flooding is impacting both residential and commercial areas, with some roads becoming impassable. This situation highlights the increasing vulnerability of coastal regions to the effects of climate change, as higher sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events put pressure on infrastructure and local communities. Efforts are underway to mitigate the impact, but the situation remains challenging for residents and businesses in the affected areas.