global climate

The United Nations General Assembly is holding its annual 'High-level Week' in New York, bringing together heads of state and government for speeches and diplomacy at the start of the assembly session. Leaders typically use the gathering to address global conflicts, climate change and development priorities, and it remains one of the largest annual diplomatic events in the world, drawing heavy media and security attention.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres used his final address to the UN General Assembly to warn that superpowers cannot solve the world's problems on their own, framing multilateral cooperation as essential on issues such as climate change. The speech marks the closing chapter of his tenure, drawing commentary on his legacy and calls for renewed global cooperation.

The UN General Assembly's general debate continued into its fifth day in New York, with world leaders and foreign ministers taking the rostrum to lay out their governments' positions on conflicts, climate and development. UN News is summarising the day's key speeches and moments for audiences following the annual high-level week.

An international NGOs conference is taking place with climate risks, violence against women and social rights on its agenda. The gathering brings together civil society organisations to discuss pressing global challenges, from the impact of climate change to protecting women from violence and defending social rights. The Council of Europe's conference of international non-governmental organisations is hosting the discussions.

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, driving a major shift in global weather patterns. The development is expected to bring hotter temperatures, droughts and flooding to many regions, and scientists are watching closely for knock-on effects on agriculture, storms and global climate over the coming months.

The United Nations has described solving climate change as a 'decisive test of global solidarity', underlining its message that no country can tackle the crisis alone. The framing stresses that coordinated international action, financing and cooperation will determine whether global climate goals can be met, putting pressure on governments to work together rather than act in isolation.

The United States has finalised steep anti-dumping duties on imported solar products, raising costs for foreign-made panels and equipment entering the American market. The move is expected to affect solar developers and importers who rely on overseas supply chains, while domestic manufacturers may benefit from reduced competition. The exact countries and companies targeted and the size of the duties are not specified in available reporting.

A new examination of climate responsibility asks who must act to hold global warming to the 1.5-degree target set by the Paris Agreement. The question highlights ongoing disputes over whether the burden falls on wealthy historic emitters, fast-growing economies, or governments, companies and consumers alike, as nations remain off track on emissions cuts needed to meet the goal.

Healthcare systems are being pressed to rethink how they operate in order to reduce their environmental impact. Hospitals and medical services are significant sources of emissions and waste, and industry commentators argue that greener practices, from supply chains to energy use, are needed. The debate is part of a wider push to align health services with climate goals.

Pacific women are calling on global climate advocates to listen to their priorities before the COP31 negotiations. Writing on the Development Policy Centre's blog, they argue that those most affected by rising seas and extreme weather in the Pacific must shape climate policy, not simply be represented by it. Their message is a direct appeal to negotiators and campaigners ahead of the summit.

A new examination of evolutionary biology asks whether animals and plants can adapt quickly enough to keep pace with rapidly warming temperatures and shifting habitats. The piece highlights the mismatch between the slow pace of genetic adaptation and the speed of current climate change, raising concerns that many species may be unable to evolve in time to survive.

A new ranked chart by Visual Capitalist maps which countries' greenhouse gas emissions are rising fastest, and which are falling. The graphic is being shared in climate and environment discussions online, with users highlighting it amid broader concerns about climate instability and continued global pollution trends.

High-level meetings are under way on measures to address climate change and ensure a fair transition. Discussions focus on how governments can cut emissions while supporting workers and communities affected by the shift away from carbon-intensive industries, according to an announcement by Kyrgyzstan's e-government portal. Further details on participants and outcomes have not yet been made public.

A new study questions the widely held idea that climate change is driving a boom in global squid populations. Researchers challenge assumptions that warming oceans and changing conditions have fueled squid expansion, suggesting the picture is more complicated than previously thought. The findings are prompting discussion among marine scientists about how climate shifts truly affect squid stocks and the fisheries that depend on them.

A new Visual Capitalist graphic ranks how much clean energy countries have added since 2015, charting the global shift toward renewables over the past decade. The comparison is drawing attention as readers weigh which nations have expanded solar, wind and other clean sources fastest and whether the pace matches climate goals set under the Paris Agreement.

KESQ's Weather Insider segment examines the satellites used to study the world's oceans and monitor El Niño conditions. The piece explains how space-based observation of sea surface temperatures and ocean patterns helps forecasters understand and predict El Niño's effects on global weather. It highlights the role of satellite technology in improving weather and climate forecasting.