climate

Italy's parliament has approved a move toward restarting nuclear power, reversing a stance the country has held since abandoning nuclear energy after referendums following the Chernobyl disaster. The vote opens the way for new nuclear technology, including small modular reactors, as Italy seeks stable low-carbon energy supplies. Supporters frame it as energy security and climate policy; critics recall Italy's long-standing public opposition to nuclear power.

UN News has published a feature looking at how the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is changing the idea of energy security. The piece argues that the recent global energy crisis pushed countries to rethink dependence on imported fuels, and that expanding wind, solar and other renewables can reduce exposure to price shocks and supply disruptions while supporting climate goals.

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 shift in the country's climate policy and aligns with its existing goal of climate neutrality by 2045. Observers are weighing how Germany plans to replace gas and coal while maintaining industrial output.

Justice Samuel Alito will not take part in a Supreme Court case concerning climate change, according to the Wall Street Journal. His recusal leaves the remaining eight justices to decide the matter, potentially raising the chances of a 4-4 split that would leave lower-court rulings in place. No reason for his withdrawal from the case was given in the report.

Nepali political figure Balen Shah addressed the UN General Assembly, delivering a speech focused on climate change and Nepal's message to the world. The full speech circulated widely and generated strong engagement, with viewers sharing his remarks on the climate threats facing Himalayan nations and Nepal's call for global action.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has withdrawn from a major climate-change case just days before it was due to be heard, according to a New York Times report. The recusal of a justice at the last minute from such a consequential case is highly unusual, and it remains unclear what prompted the decision or how it will affect the court's handling of the dispute.

Canadian farmers are speaking publicly about the mental health challenges tied to agricultural work, including isolation, financial pressure and unpredictable conditions. The discussion, covered by CTV News, is drawing wide attention as farming communities and advocates push to reduce stigma around seeking help in rural areas.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate change case before the court, according to reports from USA Today and the Detroit Free Press. The move means the remaining eight justices will decide the landmark litigation. His withdrawal is drawing attention because recusals at the Supreme Court are rare and the case could shape US climate policy.

The Wall Street Journal reports that American pressure is energizing Canada's energy sector, framing it as a sleeping giant now being roused. The piece suggests U.S. policy is pushing Canada to develop and assert its energy resources more aggressively. Further details from the article are not available, so the specific measures and reactions remain unclear.

Italy and the Czech Republic are preparing a joint call for the European Union to relax its rules on carbon permits and energy supply, according to a Reuters report. The push signals growing resistance within the bloc to strict emissions trading requirements as governments weigh energy security and industrial costs. It adds to debate over how far the EU should go in easing green regulations.

The Trump administration's push to expand domestic mining of critical minerals is moving into a region conservationists call America's 'forgotten wildlife corridor'. Reporting by InvestigateWest and Inside Climate News examines how mineral extraction plans could fragment habitat used by migrating wildlife, pitting the national strategy to secure supply chains for batteries and defense industries against environmental protection. Critics warn the corridor's ecological role has been overlooked in the rush to permit new mining projects.

Scientists are tracking a slow-moving kelvin wave, a vast pulse of warm ocean water travelling along the equatorial Pacific toward the US West Coast. The phenomenon is closely tied to El Niño-Southern Oscillation dynamics, and observers warn it could shift weather patterns, raise coastal sea levels and influence storm activity for California in the months ahead, sharpening fears of extreme conditions on the West Coast.

Carbon Brief has published an explainer outlining how rising sea levels threaten human communities, cultural heritage and natural ecosystems worldwide. The piece details the science behind sea level rise, its causes and projected impacts on coastal populations, historic sites and habitats. It frames the issue as an existential threat, underscoring growing scientific concern about long-term coastal inundation.

A Kelvin wave is an underwater pulse of unusually warm water that travels eastward along the equator in the Pacific. Meteorologists are watching current Kelvin activity because such waves can push warm water toward the coast, influencing ocean temperatures, marine life, and weather patterns, and potentially shaping conditions that could affect California's climate outlook.

The US Department of Transportation has moved to loosen federal fuel economy standards, easing requirements on automakers to improve vehicle efficiency. Supporters frame the rollback as cutting compliance costs and giving consumers more choice in vehicle types, while environmental and clean-energy advocates criticise it as a step backward on emissions reduction and climate goals. The change is expected to face legal and political challenges.

The European Union has welcomed joint solutions to address water challenges in the Mediterranean region, according to an announcement from the European Commission's environment department. The statement highlights cooperation among Mediterranean countries on water management issues such as scarcity and drought. Water stress is an increasing concern across the region as climate change intensifies pressure on shared resources.

Climate change is at the top of global news coverage today. ABC News is among the outlets leading with the topic, though the specific developments driving the surge in attention are not detailed in the available reporting. Coverage of climate issues typically spikes around extreme weather events, international negotiations, or major scientific reports.

The European Union is reportedly considering postponing its methane emissions rules for the energy sector as rising energy prices increase pressure on policymakers. The rules, part of the bloc's efforts to cut methane leaks from oil and gas operations, could face delays amid affordability concerns. Climate advocates worry a postponement would weaken the EU's emissions reduction commitments, while industry has pushed for flexibility given high energy costs.

Shell has taken the final investment decision to double the capacity of the LNG Canada liquefied natural gas facility in Kitimat, British Columbia, moving forward with the Phase 2 expansion project. The decision confirms the largest LNG project in Canada will proceed, with coverage from Shell Global and CBC. Supporters see new export capacity; critics raise climate and environmental concerns.

New research highlighted by ScienceAlert finds that as the Pacific Ocean warms, its water-age circulation is behaving counterintuitively: younger surface waters are becoming older, while older deep waters are becoming younger. The finding suggests warming is disrupting normal ocean mixing and ventilation patterns, with possible implications for heat storage, carbon uptake and marine ecosystems across the Pacific.

Public health advocates in New Mexico are urging state lawmakers to adopt measures addressing extreme heat and climate change. The proposals, presented during the legislative session, focus on protecting residents from rising temperatures and heat-related health risks. The push reflects growing concern among health professionals that climate change is already affecting public safety and wellbeing in the state.

A question circulating online asks why climate scientists and environmental organisations rarely urge the public to go vegan, despite animal agriculture's links to emissions, deforestation and land use. Commenters are debating whether groups avoid the message for fear of alienating supporters, or whether individual dietary change is simply a smaller lever than policy and energy reform.