COVID-19 has not stopped the climate crisis. The damage inflicted by climate change continues to mount, from worsening wildfires, floods and storms, to rising food insecurity and economic loss. As the impact from climate change worsens around the world, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, is convening a roundtable of 20 global climate leaders. The event will showcase high-impact actions and ambition to confront the climate crisis through six climate-positive examples. Follow this 90-minute virtual event on September 24th, 11:30 a.m. EDT. Climate action is needed now more than ever!
Giving vulnerable Bangladeshis the resources to cope with climate change
Anyone anywhere can access multidimensional maps and statistics showing key climate and environmental trends wherever they are, thanks to a new tool developed by Google and FAO.
When FAO’s early warning system indicated a possible drought, field staff consulted with the farmers likely to be the most affected before tailoring action plans to their needs.
Just after the world came together for the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, the Bank Group unveiled an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan to ramp up financial and technical support to developing countries to step up climate action. The World Bank Group committed to increasing climate finance from 20% of lending in 2016 to 28% by 2020. This target was exceeded each year for the last three consecutive years. In total, over the duration of the Action Plan, the Bank Group has delivered over $83 billion in climate finance.
United in Science 2020, the new multi-agency report coordinated by WMO, highlights the increasing and irreversible impacts of climate change, which affects glaciers, oceans, nature, economies and human living conditions. It also documents how COVID-19 has impeded our ability to monitor these changes. Emissions are heading in the direction of pre-pandemic levels following a temporary decline caused by the lockdown and economic slowdown. The world is set to see its warmest five years on record – in a trend which is likely to continue.
Despite the tendency for La Niña to have a cooling effect on global temperatures overall, above-average temperatures are expected to be predominant.
Keeping it local: Activating the power of community for climate resilience in Bangladesh
Global consumers are warming up to electric cars, whose sales are expected to jump from 3 million vehicles in 2017 to 23 million in 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. Similar growth is expected for rechargeable batteries. While this is great news for efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, an UNCTAD report says the expected boom in mining for the raw materials used to make rechargeable batteries raises environmental and social concerns that must be urgently addressed.
As the world plans for a post-pandemic recovery, the United Nations is calling on Governments to seize the opportunity to “build back better” by creating more sustainable, resilient and inclusive societies. “We need to turn the recovery into a real opportunity to do things right for the future,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The United Nations devises a blueprint for a healthier planet and society that leaves no one behind. Mr. Guterres proposed six climate-related actions to shape the recovery. Actions are being taken across the UN system to ensure a more resilient future.
Tuvalu wields new data in the fight against climate change
To make green recovery a reality, the immediate post-COVID-19 period of the next 6 to 9 months needs to focus on climate policies and climate-friendly technologies according to the UNFCCC.
Transforming food and agriculture: Creating food security while fighting climate change