climate

The Trump administration has sharply scaled back federal fuel economy requirements for new cars, easing standards that pushed automakers toward more efficient vehicles. The rollback is expected to lower compliance costs for carmakers while raising long-term fuel consumption and emissions, drawing criticism from environmental groups and praise from parts of the auto industry.

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 intensified droughts, floods and heatwaves to different regions, and scientists are closely monitoring how the unusually powerful event will affect temperatures, agriculture and extreme weather worldwide in the months ahead.

Attention is focused on claims that the current El Niño event is unlike anything previously observed. Commentators describe it as unprecedented in strength or behaviour, raising concerns about extreme weather, record global temperatures, and impacts on agriculture and ecosystems worldwide. Many are calling for closer monitoring of how this exceptional pattern could shape climate conditions in the months ahead.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant step in the country's climate policy and has drawn attention internationally as one of Europe's largest economies commits to ending reliance on coal, oil and gas.

Climate activists are protesting the rapid expansion of AI data centers and Amazon's plan to build what would be the largest gas power plant in the United States, arguing the tech boom is driving new fossil fuel infrastructure. Critics say the enormous energy demands of artificial intelligence are being met with gas rather than renewables, and campaigns against data center projects are gaining attention.

Corporations frequently defend their fossil fuel emissions as insignificant compared to the global total, a framing critics call misleading. A new Guardian piece examines what the true cost of those emissions would be if their full environmental and economic impact on the oceans were properly counted, challenging the industry's 'drop in the ocean' argument and reigniting debate over corporate accountability for climate damage.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will not take part in a high-stakes climate change case before the court, multiple US outlets report. His absence from the case could affect its outcome, since a split decision would leave lower rulings in place. The reports did not immediately detail his reason for withdrawing from the case.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate-change case just days before it was set to be heard. The New York Times reported the surprise withdrawal, which removes one justice from proceedings that could shape how climate litigation proceeds in the United States. No reason for the recusal was given in the initial reporting, and legal observers are watching closely for what it means for the case's outcome.

The UN General Assembly's annual high-level week is underway in New York, an event often called the biggest gathering in world diplomacy. Heads of state and government from nearly every country converge to deliver speeches, hold side meetings and negotiate on conflicts, climate and development. Observers are focused on which leaders attend, what major addresses signal, and what bilateral meetings on the margins may produce for global affairs.

The European Union has welcomed joint solutions to address water challenges in the Mediterranean region, urging cooperation among countries facing increasing water scarcity, drought and pressure on shared resources. The announcement highlights the EU's push for coordinated regional action on water management as climate change intensifies shortages across southern Europe and neighbouring Mediterranean countries.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino addressed the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University, discussing Panama's sovereignty, migration and climate change. His remarks come as the Panama Canal, migration through the Darién Gap and climate pressures remain central issues in US-Panama relations, drawing attention to how the small Central American nation navigates major global powers and environmental challenges.

The sixth and final day of the UN General Debate has concluded in New York, with speakers and organisers urging member states to convert the week's promises into concrete measures. UN News's daily wrap-up highlighted the closing message that declarations on climate, peace and development must now be matched by delivery back home.

Italy and the Czech Republic are preparing to call on the European Union to soften its rules on carbon permits and energy supply, according to a Reuters report. The joint push signals growing resistance within the bloc to strict emissions trading requirements, amid concerns over energy costs and security of supply. The move could complicate the EU's green transition agenda and will be watched closely by other member states.

Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NFL's Carolina Panthers and MLS's Charlotte FC, has announced Trane Technologies as a new cornerstone partner. The multi-year sponsorship deal makes the climate solutions company a key commercial partner across the organisation's teams and venues. The announcement was shared through the club's official channels, underlining the group's push to grow corporate partnerships in Charlotte.

New Yorkers are increasingly installing rain gardens, planted depressions that absorb stormwater, as a defense against worsening street flooding during intense rainstorms. The gardens capture runoff before it overwhelms the city's drains, and residents and neighborhood groups are adopting them alongside city efforts to expand green infrastructure to cope with heavier rainfall linked to climate change.

Warmer and less predictable weather is forcing Minnesota race organizers to rethink when marathons are held. MPR News reports that shifting conditions are changing the traditional marathon calendar in the state, with timing increasingly planned around heat and other climate-related concerns rather than long-standing dates.

An opinion piece by Huey Perry argues that societies cannot afford a wait-and-see approach to climate change and artificial intelligence. Perry contends that both challenges demand action now, before their consequences become irreversible, and that policymakers should treat them as urgent priorities rather than distant threats to be studied further.

The European Union is considering measures to restrict or impose additional duties on imported electric vehicles, amid concerns that cheap foreign imports, particularly from China, are undercutting European carmakers. The debate touches on trade policy, industrial competitiveness and the EU's climate goals, and is being watched closely by automakers including Toyota and European manufacturers who could benefit from protectionist steps.

Scientists are monitoring a slow-moving, planetary-scale Kelvin wave heading toward California. The oceanic phenomenon, which travels along the equator and can carry warm water eastward, is drawing concern over potential effects on coastal conditions and weather patterns. Observers are watching closely as the wave approaches the US West Coast, with experts weighing what its arrival could mean for the region.

The Trump administration is scrapping fuel economy standards put in place under President Biden, including the aggressive mileage requirements that pushed automakers toward electric vehicles. Officials cited slow consumer adoption of EVs and pressure on carmakers as justification for easing the rules. The rollback marks a significant reversal of Biden-era climate and transportation policy and is drawing attention from automakers, regulators, and environmental groups nationwide.