Climate and Environment

OCHA/Z. Nurmukhambetova

MARRAKECH: UN seeks to build climate resilience through new initiative

15 November 2016
Global

As the United Nations Climate Conference under way in Marrakech, Morocco, (COP 22) is discussing implementation of the Paris Agreement, the UN is also seeking to build climate resilience through the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s resilience initiative called A2R (Anticipate, Absorb, Reshape), launched a year ago.

Credit/The Cabinet Office of Japan

FEATURE: Feudal-era Japanese village leader stands as beacon for tsunami education

3 November 2016
Asia Pacific

Japan’s initiative to raise the awareness of the risks posed by tsunamis will this weekend mark a milestone when World Tsunami Awareness Day makes its debut on 5 November – an occasion that goes beyond paying tribute to the victims of tsunamis.

UN Photo/Eskinder

In historic ceremony, UN chief hails China, US for formally joining Paris climate agreement

3 September 2016
Americas

Visiting the southeastern city of Hangzhou in China, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the leaders of that country and the United States for formally joining the Paris Agreement on climate change today.

<a href=http://bit.ly/2boPul9>UNEP GRID Arendal/Peter Prokosch</a>

Threat of wildfires expected to increase as global temperatures rise – UN

12 August 2016
Global

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) has warned that wildfires could become more frequent and more destructive as global temperatures rise and drought conditions plague many regions of the world.

<a href=http://www.grida.no/photolib/detail/brain-coral-partly-damaged-from-illegal-anchoring-mu-ko-lanta-marine-national-park-thailand_5476>UNEP GRID Arendal/Peter Prokosch</a>

New UN-backed survey reveals ‘alarming’ damage to high seas and marine ecosystems

14 July 2016
Global

More than half of the world’s fragile coral reefs are under threat and most of our major fish stocks are now overexploited, according to the latest global assessments on the state of world’s high seas and large marine ecosystems launched today by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Danielle Parry/OCHA

FEATURE: Ahead of Paris Agreement signing, cyclone-hit Fiji champions climate change action

18 April 2016
Asia Pacific

As Fiji and Governments of more than 100 other United Nations Member States are preparing this week for the historic signing of the Paris Agreement, back in Fiji, residents of the South Pacific country are clearing debris and trying to recover from one of the region's fiercest storms.

<a href=http://bit.ly/1I5bMih>UNEP GRID Arendal/Peter Prokosch</a>

Marking World Wildlife Day, UN calls for global actions to save planet’s most iconic species

3 March 2016
Global

“Time is running out” to end wildlife poaching that threatens some of the world’s most iconic species, such as elephants, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as the United Nations marked World Wildlife Day.