More than 1,100 photographs were submitted to the competition, which has become one of WMO’s most popular fixtures. Of these, 70 photographs – in keeping with the World Meteorological Organization’s 70th anniversary – were selected for public voting on social media. Following the social media voting, a WMO jury of meteorologists and photographers selected 13 winning photos for the calendar (one per month, plus cover photo). The final selection was based on votes, photographic merit and meteorological interest, like this supercell in Colorado.
Climate
Five reasons to be optimistic about climate action
There are encouraging signs, from the world’s largest economies to Small Islands Developing States and Least Developed Countries, that remind us of our potential if we accept responsibility and embrace solutions. On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, here are five key reasons to be optimistic.
Some 2 million people and 20 million livestock inhabit the semi-arid plains of East Darfur. A rising population and more frequent climatic variability, combined with ineffective governance and policies have put a severe strain on natural resources, such as water and land. These challenges have been exacerbated by a major armed conflict in Darfur that began in 2003. In a number of communities across East Darfur, things are slowly starting to change, with women playing a greater role in various decision-making processes.
Kiribati risks becoming the first country to lose its land territory to climate change, as sea levels rise. Supported by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kiribati's people are working to protect their islands, planting mangroves and preserving the shoreline.
For over a decade, the UNEP Emissions Gap Report has provided a yearly review of the difference between where greenhouse emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The report finds that, despite a brief dip in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3°C this century – far beyond the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C.
Climate change continued its relentless march in 2020, which is on track to be one of the three warmest years on record. 2011-2020 will be the warmest decade on record, according to the WMO.
Monitoring climate adaptation in Guatemala’s marine coastal zones
The UNEP report conducts a rigorous assessment of the contribution of material efficiency in residential buildings and light duty vehicle to greenhouse gas abatement strategies.
The industrial slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has not curbed record levels of greenhouse gases which are trapping heat in the atmosphere, increasing temperatures and driving more extreme weather, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean acidification, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The lockdown has cut emissions of many pollutants and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. But any impact on CO2 concentrations - the result of cumulative past and current emissions - is in fact no bigger than the normal year to year fluctuations in the carbon cycle and the high natural variability in carbon sinks like vegetation.
Distilling herbs with zero waste in eastern Serbia
Footing the bill: Innovative financing for climate action in Indonesia and the pioneering of Green Sukuk
The Climate Smart Cities Challenge is making an open call to city governments to join a competition that aims to stimulate and scale innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cities, while creating other social benefits.
Climate change is a menace to our world. Our league of superheroes are taking action now and they want YOU to join them!
UNDP launches a global campaign to end poverty and raise awareness of the alarming rate at which COVID-19 and climate change are increasing inequalities around the world.
