Organizations call for fossil fuel ban treaty
Nearly 200 public health organizations want a "fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty" to end global dependence on carbon emissions linked to air pollution.
Climate & Health
Our coverage of the growing convergence of climate and global health issues, including the latest news on the science, politics and economics that are behind it.
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The Commonwealth's new head may be king of environment and climate
King Charles III, the new monarch, has long been an outspoken voice on climate, deforestation and pollution.
Famine is 'at the door' in two areas of Somalia, U.N. warns
Famine looms in parts of Somalia between October and December, the U.N. humanitarian chief warned.
U.N. settles on new climate leader for 'decisive decade' of urgent action
Simon Stiell, a former senior official in Grenada's government and engineer, has been appointed the new U.N. climate chief.
WHO warns of waterborne diseases in Pakistan
Flood-ravaged Pakistan faces major public health threats from waterborne and infectious diseases, the World Health Organization cautioned.
Talks fail to clinch global ocean treaty
Diplomats suspended talks after they could not agree on a proposed treaty to protect marine species and minerals in high seas covering 43% of Earth.
U.N. declares healthy environment a human right
A second vote in the United Nations solidifies international recognition that everyone's access to a clean and healthy environment is a fundamental right.
Monkeypox declared a global health emergency
WHO's chief declared monkeypox a global health emergency, citing a rapid escalation in cases to more than 16,000 among 75 nations and territories.
Pandemic sets back childhood vaccinations for first time in 30 years
The report blames misinformation, conflicts and wars, lockdowns, supply chain disruptions and diverted resources.
Pandemic 'nowhere near over' with new surges
The public health experts who declared COVID-19 was a pandemic said it isn't over yet because new variants "may present an even greater health threat."
Nations approve first guidelines for valuing nature
The IPBES guidelines could prod decision-making beyond just politics and economics to deal with our massive loss of species and rising temperatures.
Global hunger spikes to 9.8% of world population
Global hunger soared last year to affect almost one-in-10 people on the planet even before Russia's war in Ukraine, five United Nations agencies reported.
Europe in 'urgent' fight against monkeypox
Monkeypox cases tripled in Europe over the past two weeks in what WHO calls a race to prevent the virus from becoming entrenched in the region.
Ocean summit ends declaring a 'global emergency'
More than 150 nations committed to put science at the heart of renewed efforts to tackle the multiple human-caused crises threatening the ocean.
WHO readies monkeypox emergency reponses
The U.N. health agency is seeking global access to vaccines against monkeypox and calling a meeting to decide if the virus outbreak is a global emergency.
Share of parties to global environmental treaties
Share of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste and other chemicals that meet their reporting commitments.