global climate

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, marking a major shift in global weather patterns. The development is expected to influence temperatures, rainfall and storm activity across many regions, and is drawing widespread attention as scientists and the public assess the implications for extreme weather worldwide.

Attention is turning to an El Niño event being described as unlike anything previously recorded. Commentators warn the pattern could bring record heat, intense storms and disruption to weather systems worldwide, affecting rainfall, crops and fisheries across the Pacific and beyond. The scale of the phenomenon and its link to warming oceans have made it a major talking point in climate discussion.

UN News examines how the recent global energy crisis has accelerated the shift toward renewable energy, arguing that solar, wind and other clean sources are redefining what energy security means for countries worldwide. The piece frames the transition away from fossil fuels as both a climate necessity and a strategic move to reduce dependence on volatile fuel supplies.

World leaders, citing climate change as an existential threat, are demanding that the United Nations function effectively on the issue. The call reflects frustration among governments over stalled international climate action and the UN's struggles to deliver coordinated global responses to warming, extreme weather and rising sea levels affecting member states.

Discussion is turning to what it means for global warming to exceed the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C threshold. Commentators are explaining that breaching the limit does not mean climate action is pointless, but signals that average temperatures have risen beyond the target, with worsening heatwaves, sea-level rise and ecosystem stress. The debate centres on how overshoot could be temporary and whether warming can be brought back down.

The Vatican has formally described the destruction of the environment as an 'ecological sin', a move championed by Pope Francis as part of his push to make climate protection a moral and religious duty. The framing, promoted through France 24's 'Down to Earth' programme, has drawn attention to how the Catholic Church is seeking to mobilise its global followers around environmental responsibility and the ethics of caring for the planet.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature used the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week to advance its agenda on nature protection, ocean conservation and climate action. The organisation says the gatherings offered a key moment to push for stronger commitments linking biodiversity and climate policy ahead of upcoming global negotiations.

World leaders gathered at the United Nations told each other that humanity is 'in this together', invoking shared responsibility for global crises. The pledge has drawn scrutiny over what concrete cooperation it actually entails, with observers questioning how rhetoric of solidarity translates into policy on issues like climate, conflict and inequality.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino spoke at the World Leaders Forum, addressing Panama's sovereignty, migration, and climate change. His appearance comes as Panama faces pressure over the migration route through the Darién Gap and global scrutiny of canal and territorial issues. The event drew attention from students and regional observers, with Mulino defending his government's positions on all three fronts.

A commentary argues that human rights and climate change can no longer be treated as separate issues, framing rising temperatures, displacement and resource shortages as direct threats to basic rights such as housing, food and safety. The piece calls for rights-based approaches in climate policy, a debate gaining traction among advocates and policymakers as climate impacts intensify worldwide.

An analysis by the Observer Research Foundation argues that diversifying staple crops toward millets would strengthen food security, improve nutrition, and support sustainability across the Global South. The piece frames millets as climate-resilient, nutrient-rich grains that could reduce dependence on rice and wheat, urging developing countries to prioritise them in agricultural policy.

Palau's president is promoting his country's campaign against climate change, highlighting how rising seas threaten the small Pacific island nation. Palau has been a leading voice for ocean conservation and climate action among small island states. The message is drawing attention to the existential risks climate change poses to low-lying nations and their push for stronger global commitments.

Yale School of the Environment has published five key takeaways from its experts' participation in Climate Week NYC, the annual gathering of governments, businesses and advocates held alongside the UN General Assembly. The summary distills what environmental scholars consider the most important developments and remaining challenges from this year's climate discussions in New York.

A UK climate minister has warned that the global food system is vulnerable to El Niño, the periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters that disrupts weather patterns and can hit crop harvests. The warning highlights concerns that extreme weather linked to El Niño could drive up food prices and threaten supply security at a time of already strained agricultural conditions.

The European Union is taking part in the FAO's Committee on Forestry and the 10th World Forest Week, meetings at the UN food and agriculture agency in Rome focused on global forest policy. The EU delegation is expected to press for sustainable forest management, stronger action against deforestation, and closer international cooperation on forest protection. Attention is on how the bloc's forest agenda aligns with its wider climate and biodiversity commitments.

Climate researchers are explaining how a Kelvin Wave affects ocean waters. A Kelvin Wave is a large-scale movement of warm water along the equatorial Pacific that can raise sea surface temperatures and influence weather patterns, including developments tied to El Nino. Scientists say understanding these waves helps forecast shifts in ocean conditions and global climate impacts in the months ahead.

A scientific colloquium has been published examining the legacy of Syukuro Manabe, the climate physicist whose pioneering computer models laid the foundation for simulating and understanding global warming. Manabe's work, recognised with the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics, is credited with first showing how rising carbon dioxide levels drive changes in the Earth's climate.

The Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The intervention formed part of the annual opening debate, where member states set out their positions on global issues. Small island developing states typically use the podium to press for climate action and financing support.

Grenada's Permanent Representative addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The address forms part of the annual debate in which UN member states set out their positions on global issues. The content of Grenada's statement has not been detailed, but small island developing states typically use the forum to press for action on climate change and sustainable development.