Climate and Environment

Air quality improvements from COVID lockdowns confirmed

COVID-19 lockdowns brought rapid and “unprecedented” improvements in air quality in some parts of the world - but not enough to halt climate change caused by global warming, UN weather experts said on Friday.

Improving air quality ‘key’ to confronting global environmental crises

With environmental events becoming increasingly interconnected, a new global report on air pollution published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on Thursday underscores that improved air quality is “key to tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste”.

No Denying It episode 2: Edward Norton Introduces Nzambi Matee

In the second episode of the UN climate action podcast, No Denying It, actor Edward Norton introduces Nzambi Matee, a young Kenyan entrepreneur, who is rethinking how waste is managed and reused, with the aim of building a better society.

Climate and weather related disasters surge five-fold over 50 years, but early warnings save lives - WMO report

Climate change and increasingly extreme weather events, have caused a surge in natural disasters over the past 50 years disproportionately impacting poorer countries, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) said on Wednesday.

End of leaded fuel use a ‘milestone for multilateralism’

The global phase-out of leaded fuel represents a “milestone for multilateralism”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday, marking the end of a 20-year campaign to eliminate a major threat to the health of people and the planet.

Secretary-General calls for bold action to end biodiversity crisis

With one million species at risk of extinction, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called for greater leadership and political will to end the biodiversity crisis.

The ‘energy patriots’ bringing electricity to Indonesia’s remote villages

For millions of villagers in Indonesia’s remote areas, a 12-hour-per-day erratic electricity supply is the norm. With students studying by candlelight at night and health centres not running at full capacity, these communities face an uphill struggle to improve their well-being. 

No Denying It episode 1: Ezra Miller Introduces Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm

In the first episode of the No Denying It climate action podcast series, actor Ezra Miller introduces Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm, of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Canada, who is helping Arctic communities to become more sustainable.

Climate solutions, changemakers, and celebrities: major UN podcast series launched

The UN launches No Denying It, a new 10-part climate action podcast, on Thursday, featuring interviews with inspiring young activists, and the voices of internationally renowned celebrities, such as actors Ed Norton and Michelle Yeoh.

COVID, natural hazards and climate crisis in Asia and the Pacific expand ‘riskcape’

The convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic with natural hazards, made worse by climate change, has reshaped and expanded the disaster “riskscape” in Asia and the Pacific, according to a new report published on Wednesday by the UN’s regional commission there.