Climate and Environment

In cities like Beijing in China, smog has become a major health issue.
WMO/Alfred Lee

UN agencies join forces against environmental risks that cause 12.6 million deaths a year

31 May 2018
Global

Two United Nations agencies are combining their expertise to counter the growing threat of extreme weather, climate change and air pollution, which cause more than 12.6 million deaths a year, it was announced on Thursday.

Coral reef ecosystems house 25 per cent of all marine life, feeding hundreds of millions of people. A healthy reef at Molinere Bay, Marine Protected Area in Grenada.
Kadir van Lohuizen/NOOR/UNEP

Rich variety of life on earth essential says UN chief Guterres, marking biological diversity day

21 May 2018
Global

The welfare and prosperity of people now and in the future, depends on a “rich variety of life on earth” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his message for the International Day for Biological Diversity, marked on Tuesday. 

Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor). The Asian and southern African populations are partially migratory, with many making regular movements from their breeding sites inland to coastal wetlands when not breeding.
Mark Anderson

Save our planet by protecting migratory birds and their ‘epic journeys,’ urges UN chief

11 May 2018
Global

As they make their global journeys, migratory birds not only set birdwatchers’ binoculars agog, they also help the planet maintain its essential ecological balance.

Dohuk, Iraq, Sharia camp. Some Arab countries have experienced temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius over the past years. (file)
OCHA/Gwen McClure

Hottest April day ever recorded - maybe: UN weather watchdog

4 May 2018
Global

Deadly storms in India and record temperatures in Pakistan are an indication that more extreme weather events are happening globally owing to climate change, United Nations weather experts said on Friday.