climate

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.

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.

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.

Hurricane Helene survivors in western North Carolina say the storm, which devastated mountain communities, has reshaped their political views and beliefs two years on. Reporting by WFAE examines how the recovery experience has changed residents' trust in government, attitudes toward disaster aid, and views on climate and public policy as the region continues rebuilding.

The Supreme Court is set to take up the question of whether taxpayers or fossil fuel companies should cover the costs of climate change damage. The case will decide if oil and gas producers can be held financially liable for harms caused by their emissions, or whether those costs fall on the public. Legal observers say the outcome could reshape climate litigation and set a precedent for who bears the bill for warming-related losses.

Major oil companies are once again asking the US Supreme Court to intervene in a wave of climate-related lawsuits brought by states and municipalities seeking damages for climate change impacts. The companies want the justices to block or limit these cases, arguing they belong in federal rather than state courts. The Supreme Court's decision on whether to hear the dispute could determine the future of dozens of climate liability suits pending across the United States.

Members of Congress are pushing legislation to accelerate permitting for energy projects, frustrated by lengthy federal review delays that have stalled infrastructure for years. The effort touches on transmission lines, pipelines, and renewable projects alike, and reflects bipartisan irritation with a process critics say undermines both energy security and climate goals. Details of the proposals and their prospects remain to be seen.

The UK government will pledge to plant half a million trees in England over the next three years, in an announcement to be made by Environment Secretary Angela Eagle. The plan is framed as part of efforts to protect communities against extreme weather, including flooding and heat, and reflects growing pressure on ministers to expand tree cover for climate resilience.

A new opinion piece argues that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the climate crisis are on a dangerous collision course. It points to the enormous energy demands of AI data centers, which could drive up electricity use and emissions just as the world needs to cut them, raising questions about how the two trends can be reconciled.

Pundits and political commentators are pointing to New Hampshire as evidence that the Democratic Party's hoped-for electoral sweep, or 'blue wave', may not materialise. The state, often watched as a bellwether for national trends, is being cited as a cautionary example of how voter sentiment there could complicate Democratic hopes for a sweeping victory in upcoming elections.

The European Commission is considering pausing a part of its landmark methane regulation, which is set to take effect in January, amid political pressure and rising energy prices. The move follows a call from French President Emmanuel Macron, who urged the Commission to delay enforcement. Climate advocates see the possible pause as a setback for the EU's emissions agenda, while governments cite energy affordability concerns.

World leaders gathered at the United Nations general debate told one another that humanity faces shared challenges and must act together. The pledge, repeated across national addresses, has prompted questions about what practical commitments will follow, since speeches offered broad calls for cooperation on conflicts, climate and inequality without concrete mechanisms for delivering it.

World leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly's high-level week, with speeches and side events amounting to what analysts describe as a vigorous defence of multilateralism. Delegates repeatedly argued that global challenges, from climate change to conflict, require collective action through the United Nations at a time of rising geopolitical division and scepticism toward international cooperation.

The Detroit Regional Chamber is briefing business leaders on what to expect from the 2026 general election, outlining how candidates, ballot issues and potential policy shifts could affect companies in the region. The guidance covers how election outcomes may influence the business climate and encourages executives to prepare early for the political cycle ahead.

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.

Companies across the United States are reworking their corporate climate change pledges, with commitments shifting and evolving rather than staying fixed. The report highlights how businesses are adjusting sustainability goals as economic pressures, regulatory changes and political scrutiny reshape the landscape of corporate climate action. The changes raise questions about whether companies are strengthening their targets or quietly scaling back earlier promises.

A new commentary argues that symbolic climate policies — measures with limited direct environmental impact — can still shape climate politics in significant ways. According to the piece, such policies send signals that influence public attitudes, build political coalitions, and normalize climate action, potentially paving the way for more ambitious regulation. The author says critics who dismiss these measures as merely performative may overlook their role in shifting norms and sustaining momentum for larger climate policy.

Nepal's Prime Minister delivered an address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, presenting the country's positions before the global body. Nepal's speech drew attention as part of the annual gathering of world leaders, where heads of government set out national priorities on issues such as development, climate and regional stability.

More than 40% of countries worldwide have reported climate-related changes in the prevalence or severity of skin diseases, according to a recent review of global data. Researchers note that rising temperatures, UV exposure and pollution are contributing factors, and that lower-income countries are disproportionately affected, raising concerns about unequal dermatological care as climate conditions worsen.

The Atlantic hurricane season has been remarkably quiet, and meteorologists point to El Niño as the main reason. The climate pattern strengthens winds high over the tropics, shearing apart storms before they can develop. The rare lull has drawn attention from scientists and the public, who are debating how long the calm will last and what it says about seasonal forecasting.

Kathmandu's mayor Balen Shah delivered a speech at the United Nations, drawing wide attention in Nepal and beyond. A detailed breakdown of the address by Binayak Kuikel is circulating widely online, with hundreds of thousands of people engaging with commentary on what Shah said, particularly around climate issues affecting the Himalayan region.

Stella McCartney staged an ocean-inspired runway show in Paris designed to draw attention to the climate crisis. The presentation continued the British designer's long-standing commitment to sustainability in fashion, using the collection and setting to highlight environmental concerns. It adds to ongoing debate about the fashion industry's role in addressing climate change.