by Umair Irfan, Vox Don’t let the bitter cold fool you — the world just had the hottest January on record. Southern California experienced an exceptionally hot and dry start to winter this year, setting the stage for wildfires. Kevin Carter/Getty Images Another round of snowy, chilly weather is gripping the United States …
Richest nations ‘exporting extinction’ with demand for beef, palm oil and timber
By Phoebe Weston, The Guardian Consumption in wealthy countries including US and UK is responsible for 13% of global forest loss beyond their borders, study finds. A toucan in Costa Rica. Most wildlife habitats are being destroyed in countries with tropical forests, the study shows. Photograph: Francesco Puntiroli/Alamy The world’s wealthiest …
Brazil fires consumed wilderness area larger than Italy in 2024 – report
By Tiago Rogero, The Guardian New report says more than 30m hectares burned, 79% more than in 2023, after country saw worst drought on record. A car driving along a highway in an area engulfed by a forest fire near the city of Porto Velho, in Brazil’s Rondonia state, on …
Escalating armed conflict is most urgent threat for world in 2025, say global leaders
By Heather Stewart, The Guardian World Economic Forum says responses from experts in business, politics and academia also highlight climate crisis. ‘State-based armed conflict’ was the concern cited most by those surveyed by the World Economic Forum. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images Global leaders have said that escalating armed conflict is the …
2024 was hottest year on record for world’s land and oceans, US scientists confirm
By Oliver Milman, The Guardian Noaa says last year was the warmest since records began in 1850 and Nasa concurs: ‘The long-term trends are very clear’ It was the hottest year ever recorded for the world’s lands and oceans in 2024, US government scientists have confirmed, providing yet another measure …
World’s richest use up their fair share of 2025 carbon budget in 10 days
By Damien Gayle, The Guardian Emissions caused by wealthiest 1% so far this year would take someone from poorest 50% three years to create. There are calls for increased taxes on climate-polluting examples of extreme wealth such as private jets. Photograph: dogayusufdokdok/Getty Images The world’s richest 1% have already used up …
Google’s $1 billion bet on Africa’s digital future
By Kristen Houser, Freethink Simon Maina / AFP / Getty Images Pupils from Light House Grace academy use the Kio tablet created by the local technology company BRCK Education during a class sesssion in Kawangware, Nairobi. It’s 2030, and more than two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is now …
I’m a climate journalist and know I don’t do nearly enough. Here’s what I’m trying to change
By Aimee Rawlins, Fast Company In the era of Trump, it’s time for all of us to take a closer look at our consumption and break some bad habits. When food gets tossed into landfills, it lays there festering, releasing more methane than any other type of trash. And while …
Former EU environment chief warns against backsliding on climate crisis
By Jennifer Rankin, The Guardian Virginijus Sinkevicius, a former environment commissioner, criticises bloc’s decision to delay deforestation law. Firefighters on their way to tackle a wildfire in Ano Loutro, near Xylokastro in Corinthia, Greece, in September 2024. Photograph: Vassilis Psomas/EPA A former EU environment commissioner has warned against backsliding on the …
Biden Sets Higher U.S. Goal Under the Climate Pact That Trump Aims to Abandon
By Marianne Lavelle and Phil McKenna, Inside Climate News The White House says a 61 percent cut in U.S. carbon emissions by 2035 is possible under the Paris agreement, if state and local governments take the lead. Cows graze in a field near the coal-fueled Oak Grove Power Plant on …