U.N. seeks decade of cooperation to fight rise in sand and dust storms
A U.N. report estimates at least 25% of global dust emissions that scatter on land and ocean come from human activities.
Climate & Health
Melting glaciers. Rising sea levels. Wildfires. Food shortages. Mass coral reef deaths and widespread species extinctions. Global pandemics. Every other issue is secondary. In a world of climate change, direct impacts on humanity are evident where we live and work and on the health and well-being of many populations. Climate change is a truly global issue; fighting it demands global cooperation and financing through summits, known as COPs, and landmark treaties like the Paris Agreement.
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Biodiversity summit to focus on profit sharing from DNA sequences
Negotiators released new U.N. proposals to share revenues from drugs, cosmetics, and agricultural biotechnology.
Along the Rio Grande, disputes over water heat up with climate change
A little known international organization is in charge of mediating U.S.-Mexico water sharing during a time of drought.
War may cause 'irreversible' damage to Gaza's environment and health
Building debris may take US$647 million and 15 years to clean up. Around 800,000 tons might qualify as hazardous waste.
E.U. landmark nature restoration law approved in hard-fought victory
The highly contested law passed with 20 countries representing 66% of the E.U. population voting in favor — just above the 65% required for approval.
Russia's war on Ukraine causing climate devastation, study finds
A study estimates the world's armed forces have a combined carbon footprint equal to 5.5% of global greenhouse gases.
World must exit 'highway to climate hell' as temps head above 1.5° limit
The U.N. chief urges a tax on fossil fuel profits and ban on fossil fuel ads amid new climate reports of breaching 1.5°.
Nations update health emergency laws, extend pandemic treaty talks
The World Health Assembly amended its International Health Regulations and prolonged treaty talks up to a year.
World Health Assembly opens with push on health rules and pandemic
The U.N. health chief called the pandemic treaty 'a once-in-a-generation opportunity' to improve global health systems.
WHO pandemic treaty 'roller coaster ride' stalls but some are still hopeful
WHO leaders and diplomats signaled they'll push for next week's World Health Assembly to reauthorize another try.
WHO warns of gaps, bias in research on climate and vector-borne disease
Most research has focused on wealthier countries that have relatively low disease rates and access to quality heath care.
IUCN finds more than half of world's mangrove ecosystems could collapse
Mangrove ecosystems harbor fish and wildlife, protect against sea level rise, tides and storm surges, and store carbon.
Asia suffers under record 'additional heat' as the globe continues to warm
From Gaza to the Philippines, unseasonal temps in parts of Asia shut schools, hurt crops and challenged refugee camps.
Final round of pandemic treaty talks end without draft agreement
Negotiators had to juggle the promotion of health access and global equity with reaffirmation of nations' sovereignty.
Climate-impacted global bleaching of corals threatens marine fisheries
Climate scientists have warned for decades about bleaching of coral reefs, which are nurseries for commercial fisheries.
U.N. climate chief says next 2 years will be 'essential' to saving the planet
This year and next mark the countdown to a 2025 deadline for governments to strengthen their carbon-cutting plans.