Climate and Environment

Hundreds of wildfires have broken out in Siberia, some of which can be seen in this image captured from space on 28 July 2019.
ESA

Dramatic Arctic fires and sea ice melt, show need for urgent climate action

24 July 2020

“Exceptional and prolonged” temperatures in Siberia, have left parts of the Arctic warmer than sub-tropical Florida, and fuelled “devastating” wildfires for a second consecutive year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday, while warning also of rapidly decreasing sea ice along the Russian polar coast.

A woman and children use new handwashing facilities installed by UNICEF in Embratel, an informal urban settlement in Boa Vista, in northern Brazil.
© UNICEF/Yareidy Perdomo

World off track in meeting 2030 Agenda, UN deputy chief warns, calls for solidarity in COVID-19 recovery

16 July 2020

The world was off track in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, even before the COVID-19 crisis erupted, but can get back on course by increasing investment in public services, showing solidarity on financing, and “reshaping” how people work, learn, live and consume.