Pollution, climate change feed drug-resistant 'superbugs'
Fed by pollution and climate change, strains of bacteria immune to all known antibiotics may become a major cause of death by mid-century, says the U.N. environment agency.
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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Keywords for the next pandemic: accountability, equity, solidarity
Chief among the questions over a proposed pandemic treaty is an "accountability gap" that undermines the proposed treaty's potential, an independent coalition of global leaders said.
Pandemic treaty 'zero draft' gives WHO 20% share of responsibility
The rationale for the World Health Organization's proposed pandemic treaty is to erase the "gross inequities" between rich and poor that's been a scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We're still living in a pandemic, U.N. health agency chief and panel agree
World Health Organization leaders agree COVID-19 remains an emergency but the pandemic may be approaching "an inflection point" of higher immunity resulting in fewer deaths.
U.N. health agency urges nations to update preparations for nuke risks
As recently as May almost half of WHO's 194 member nations said they "still lacked essential elements of preparedness for radiation emergencies," according to senior agency officials.
WHO's chief wants the pandemic declared over in 2023. Some experts say that may not be a good thing.
Despite the temptation to end the pandemic, some leading health experts say it would be better to continue living with the official designation, which keeps up the pressure on authorities and civilians alike to act with caution.
Asia-Pacific rocked by growing hunger, nutrition and health crisis
The new U.N. report blamed the “5F” crisis – a combined lack of feed, fertilizer, financing, food and fuel – for the growing hunger, lack of nutrition and associated medical issues in the region due to conflicts, climate and other factors.
Protesters at Davos target climate inaction and carbon-intensive rich
The mounting frustration and anger over inaction on climate change is compounded by outrage over the many rising inequalities around the world between rich and poor.
The Davos gathering, driving up private jet traffic in a climate crisis
An analysis shows the number of private jet flights to and from airports serving Davos during the 2022 meeting caused CO2 emissions equivalent to about 350,000 average cars.
Outrage over UAE appointing oil exec to lead next U.N. climate talks
Along with overseeing one of the world's biggest oil companies, Sultan Al Jaber is the UAE's minister of industry and advanced technology and chief executive of renewable energy company Masdar, based in Abu Dhabi.
World's aging dams lose storage capacity at alarming rate
Trapped sediment robs dams of storage capacity. Storage loss by 2050 will equal the combined yearly water use of Canada, China, France, India and Indonesia, says a U.N. University report.
Study shows efforts to restore Earth's depleted ozone layer are 'on track'
If the policies and trends continue the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 values – before the appearance of the ozone hole – by around 2066 over the Antarctic, and by 2045 over the Arctic and 2040 for the rest of the world.
Chinese health officials pressed for COVID-19 spike data
WHO is seeking more information from Beijing about the COVID-19 surge in China while many nations impose travel restrictions. The E.U. is offering China free vaccinations.
U.N. summit clinches 196-nation deal to halt biodiversity loss
Negotiators reached the 30% by 2030 or "30 by 30" deal – which would improve on the 17% of land and 10% of water now protected – just as the almost two-week United Nations Biodiversity Conference, or COP15, was due to end.
IEA: Global coal use to peak before solar, wind overtake it
Driven by rising energy costs and supply uncertainties caused by the war in Ukraine, governments and businesses increasingly look to solar and wind as reliable energy sources. They will overtake coal, but not for a few more years.
Small island nations ask U.N. tribunal for climate opinion
The request is based on "the fundamental importance of the oceans as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and the direct relevance of the marine environment to the adverse effects of climate change on small island states."