Climate and Environment

In Mazambara, Zimbabwe, where rain has been very sparse, a woman shows a plate of cicadas, one of the food options available after the WFP food ration is over.
WFP/Matteo Cosorich

Climate crisis ‘affecting quality of life and fuelling discontent’

16 January 2020
Global

The climate crisis, as well as persistently high inequalities, and rising levels of food insecurity and undernourishment, is affecting the quality of life in many societies and fuelling discontent, the UN warned on Thursday, on the publication of the 2020 World Economic Situation Report (WESP).

2019 was the second warmest year on record after 2016, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
WMO/Jordi Anon

2019 second hottest year on record, UN confirms

15 January 2020
Global

Last year was the second warmest year on record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Wednesday. 

Secretary-General António Guterres addresses audience at a ceremony in Lisbon as the Portuguese city receives the 2020 Green Capital Award, presented by the European Commission.
CML/Luís Filipe Catarino

Capacity of cities to tackle climate change key in ‘crucial battle’ for planet’s preservation, says UN chief

11 January 2020
Global

Cities – hubs of creativity and new ideas – can provide solutions to resolve humanity’s “suicide war” against nature, and lead the world towards a sustainable future, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Saturday in Lisbon, which has been named the 2020 European Green Capital. 

The low-lying island nation, Tuvalu, in the Pacific Ocean is particularly susceptible to higher sea levels caused by climate change.
UNDP Tuvalu/Aurélia Rusek

Inaction over climate emergency ‘not an option’ says UN Assembly chief

10 January 2020

Inaction when it comes to the fight back against damaging climate change is not an option, the President of the UN General Assembly told a major energy conference in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Two firefighters in Queensland, Australia, where the worst wildfires seen in decades are devastating large swathes of the country.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Australia bushfire crisis: UNICEF offers help and support

6 January 2020
Asia Pacific

Raging bushfires wreaking havoc across Australia have prompted the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, to offer its support to the Australian Government and its partners which are battling the “unprecedented disaster”.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the media at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Stop escalation, urges UN chief, as geopolitical tensions reach ‘highest level this century’

6 January 2020

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to de-escalate geopolitical tensions on Monday, which he described as being “at their highest level this century” as the new decade dawns.