News by topic: Climate Change, Environment

Taking on environmental health risks, UN agencies aim to protect 'foundations for life' on Earth

10 January – Two United Nations agencies are teaming up in a major new initiative taking on the herculean task of combatting environmental health risks, which claim an estimated 12.6 million lives a year.

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Early action key to preventing crises related to El Niño and La Niña – UN relief official

2 January – La Niña is expected to impact weather around the world in 2018, a United Nations relief official said, urging governments and the international community to act early to mitigate the impacts from this potentially destructive weather pattern and its counterpart, El Niño.

UN peacekeeping operations will keep aiming to reduce their environmental impact – Security Council

21 December – The Security Council on Thursday said that United Nations peacekeeping missions will continue to consider ways to reduce the environmental impact of their operations, in line with relevant UN resolutions and mindful of the goals set out in international accords on the environment, including the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Arctic forever changed by rapidly warming climate – UN weather agency

20 December – The Arctic continued in 2017 to warm at double the rate of the global temperature increase, resulting in the second warmest air temperatures, above average ocean temperatures, loss of sea ice, and a range of human, ocean and ecosystem effects, according to the United Nations weather agency.

Electronic waste poses ‘growing risk’ to environment, human health, UN report warns

13 December – The growing volume of electronic waste, including discarded products with a battery or plug, such as mobile phones, laptops, televisions, refrigerators and electrical toys, poses a major threat to the environment and human health, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.

‘Invest in the future, not the past;’ green business key to winning war on climate change – UN chief

12 December – Those who fail to bet on a green economy will be living in a grey future, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned Tuesday, calling for greater ambition by governments, civil society, the private sector and finance partners to help tackle the global climate challenge.

Time running out for construction sector to cut energy use, meet climate goals - UN

12 December – The clock is ticking on efforts to reform the buildings and construction sector's energy performance and keep the Paris Agreement on track, new United Nations-backed research revealed on Tuesday.

On International Day, UN agency urges greater investment for sustainable agriculture in mountains

11 December – On International Mountain Day, the United Nations food security agency has called for greater focus on sustainable agriculture in highland regions around the globe to better respond to climate change impacts and migration challenges.

UN designates 2021-2030 ‘Decade of Ocean Science’

6 December – The United Nations today designated the years 2021 to 2030 as the ‘Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development’ to boost international coordination and cooperation in research and scientific programmes for better management of ocean and coastal zone resources and reducing maritime risks.

Careless disposal of antibiotics could produce ‘ferocious superbugs,’ UN environment experts warn

5 December – Growing antimicrobial resistance linked to the discharge of drugs and some chemicals into the environment is one of the most worrying health threats today, according to new research from the United Nations that highlights emerging challenges and solutions in environment.