Putting food on the table is a challenge for millions worldwide, especially those who have to deal with the aftermath of climate disasters. Last year, the assisted more than 15 million people in 42 countries, helping them withstand droughts, floods, storms, and other climate shocks. However, as climate impacts drove nearly 57 million people into hunger last year alone, many more people require protection. At , world leaders must increase support for those affected by the worst climate disasters worldwide. This can be achieved through funding to strengthen local systems and capacities in conflict or fragile settings, enhancing loss-and-damage support, and transforming the systems that bring food to our tables.
Climate Change
In the face of climate change, pastrolists in South Sudan are losing their livestock and in turn, their livelihoods. With support of through funding from the Africa Development Bank, , now have enough water for the animals.
The Marsh Arabs, the wetlands' indigenous population of Iraq, have fished and cultivated crops for 5,000 years, raising water buffaloes and building houses from reedbeds on floating reed islands at the place where the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers meet before flowing into the Gulf. But climate change, water pollution, oil exploration and the construction of upstream dams threaten the survival of this delicate ecosystem and its ancient Mesopotamian culture, which some trace back to the Sumerians. Jassim Al-Asadi, head of the leading conservation group Nature Iraq, warns that a drought, which is now in its fourth year, is turning vast areas of once flourishing wetlands and agricultural land into desert. As a result, salinity is rising in the shrinking channels and waterways, killing fish and making buffaloes sick.
The (WHO) and the global health community are urging negotiators to prioritize the on in the upcoming negotiations. Climate change is already affecting our health and contributing to the spread of infectious diseases. Extreme weather events will also strain healthcare infrastructure. Urgent mitigation measures, including transitioning to clean energy sources, are necessary to protect human health and create sustainable outcomes. To reduce the negative impact on health, the health community stresses the importance of reducing and stopping emissions. According to WHO, 7 million premature deaths annually are attributed to air pollution.
With global temperatures hitting record highs and extreme weather events on the rise, this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (Dubai, November 30 - December 12), known as, is a critical opportunity to correct course and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis. At COP28, the world will take stock of progress on the Paris Agreement - the landmark 2015 climate deal - and bring together leaders from governments, businesses, NGOs and civil society to find concrete actions to dramatically reduce emissions and protect lives and livelihoods. Follow our live blog.
Climate change has caused an increase in uncertainty about our future. The unprecedented mobilization of young people worldwide shows their immense power to hold decision-makers accountable. Their message is clear: the older generation has failed, and the young will pay in full — with their very futures. A is taking place ahead of COP28 in Dubai and provides a space for capacity building and policy training. GCOY also brings together all collected inputs, which will be directly fed into the climate negotiations via the official youth policy paper.
The link between humans and the environment must be preserved, for the benefit of safeguarding our planet for present and future generations to come.
The Secretary-General is traveling to Antarctica to witness the impact of the climate crisis firsthand. “Scorching temperatures mean Antarctic ice is melting ever-faster, with deadly consequences for people around the world,” said António Guterres. He’ll take his experiences to the UN climate change conference COP28 (30 November-12 December) where the world will take stock of progress on the Paris Agreement. Present trends are racing our planet down a dead-end three-degree temperature rise, but we know it is still possible to make the 1.5-degree limit a reality with climate action.
warns that the ongoing El Niño event is expected to last at least until April 2024, influencing weather patterns and contributing to a further spike in temperatures, both on land and in the ocean.
The Quinault, a Native tribal community in Washington State, has been forced to relocate their coastal village to higher ground as high tides threaten to wash away the land they’ve inhabited for thousands of years. As weather systems spin out of control across the globe, we take a closer loo
Storm Daniel hit Libya on 10 September 2023, causing floods that killed over 4,300 people with twice as many still unaccounted for. Over 43,000 people have been displaced and are in urgent need of food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and financial support. The floodwaters have also exposed landmines and unexploded ordnance, posing a threat of disease. is working with local authorities in Benghazi to accelerate the rebuilding process and offer an environmentally sustainable recovery that engages Libyans and provides livelihood opportunities.
As climate change feeds increasingly frequent hurricanes in the Caribbean, has implemented a revolving loans programme. This will facilitate low-interest loans to Antigua and Barbuda residents for hurricane-proofing their homes.
In 1987 Cyclone Uma, resulted in a spike of malaria incidence due to damage to health facilities, and increase in the number of mosquito breeding sites. In 2015, Cyclone Pam found Vanuatu prepared, having learnt from its previous experience, and no increase in malaria outbreaks were detected. In March of 2023, Vanuatu was hit by twin Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin within 48 hours of one another and the damage was extensive, creating a serious burden on the country’s resources. and partners are to enhance the capacity of national and local health system institutions, personnel, and local communities to manage health risks induced by climate variability and change.
Now must be the time for ambition and action
On 20 September, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is convening a Climate Ambition Summit, asking governments, businesses, finance, local authorities, and civil society to present credible, bold, new, and ambitious steps that will accelerate climate action and respond to the urgency of the climate crisis. “The world is watching – and the planet can’t wait,” the UN Chief said. Watch the event live or on-demand on
By the time many of the teenage climate activists of today are in their late 20s, climate change could force an additional 100 million people into extreme poverty []. By 2050, the risk of hunger and malnutrition could rise by 20 percent if the global community fails to act now []. This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy, “Empowering the next generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.