global climate

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, driving a major shift in global weather patterns. The warming of the eastern Pacific is expected to bring droughts, floods and altered rainfall across multiple continents, with scientists warning communities to prepare for extreme conditions. The findings have prompted widespread discussion among climate experts and the public about what the record-strength event means for weather forecasts, agriculture and disaster planning worldwide.

The United Nations General Assembly's High-level Week is under way in New York, drawing heads of state and government for the annual round of speeches and diplomatic meetings at the world body's headquarters. The event is one of the busiest diplomatic gatherings of the year, with leaders using the podium to address conflicts, climate and global security.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered his final address to the General Assembly, warning that superpowers alone cannot solve the world's problems. The speech touched on global challenges including climate change, and is being shared alongside discussion of the United Nations' role as his term winds down. Commenters are highlighting the message that collective, multilateral action is needed rather than reliance on a few dominant states.

A New York Times opinion piece warns that the current strong El Niño, a warming of the tropical Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, is set to drive severe conditions including heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms across many regions. The author urges governments and the public to prepare now for the disruption, arguing that early planning could limit the damage as the phenomenon reaches full strength in the coming months.

The Bank of Japan is increasing its lending scheme that offers funds to banks financing climate action, even as central bankers and economists argue over how far monetary institutions should go in supporting green policies. Supporters see climate lending as a way to address financial risks from global warming, while critics say central banks are overstepping their mandates by pursuing environmental goals beyond price and financial stability.

New reporting indicates the global heatwave season has grown by roughly 39 days, with extreme heat now arriving earlier in the year and lingering longer before it ends. The finding adds to growing evidence that warming temperatures are extending dangerous heat periods worldwide, raising concerns about health risks, strain on power grids, and impacts on agriculture as communities face prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

A new report says global temperatures have reached record highs as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens in the Pacific. El Niño, which warms ocean surface waters and alters weather worldwide, is adding to the underlying warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists warn the combination could push average temperatures to new extremes in the coming months, with implications for heatwaves, droughts and storms across many regions.

The president of Palau addressed the United Nations General Assembly, pressing the international body on climate change and rising global tensions. As leader of a small Pacific island nation highly vulnerable to rising seas, the president used the speech to call for stronger global commitments on emissions and to highlight how geopolitical instability compounds the threats facing small island states.

September 27, 2019 marked the final day of action in the Global Climate Strike, with more than 7.5 million people taking part in protests across 130 countries to demand action on the climate crisis. The mobilisation grew out of the Fridays for Future school strike movement, and the anniversary is being recalled today in labor history discussions.

A New York Times opinion piece argues that the emerging super El Niño, while expected to bring severe weather impacts worldwide, gives governments and communities valuable lead time to prepare. The author urges using the advance warning to strengthen defenses against likely heatwaves, droughts, floods and other disruptions linked to the climate pattern.

Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs took the floor at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivering the country's statement as part of the annual general debate. The address comes as world leaders use the high-level week to lay out their governments' positions on conflicts, climate and multilateral cooperation.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is keeping up his public warnings on climate change, refusing to soften his message despite political pushback. He continues to press governments to cut emissions faster and phase out fossil fuels, framing the climate crisis as an emergency that cannot be ignored. Observers note his increasingly blunt language as global climate talks stall.

The head of the UN Environment Programme says financing is the main obstacle to rolling out solutions that help communities cope with extreme heat. The warning comes as heatwaves intensify worldwide, with measures such as cooling systems, urban shading and early-warning plans available but underfunded. The comments underline growing pressure on governments and donors to direct more money toward climate adaptation.

Pacific women are pressing global climate advocates to listen to their priorities before the COP31 negotiations. Writing on the Devpolicy Blog, the piece argues that women from Pacific island nations, who face some of the most severe impacts of rising seas and extreme weather, want their frontline experience reflected in climate policy and funding decisions rather than being treated as an afterthought in global talks.

Global renewable energy from wind and solar continues to expand, but fossil fuel use is rising alongside it rather than declining. Commentators note that clean energy growth is being outpaced by overall energy demand, meaning renewables are adding to the energy mix instead of replacing coal, oil and gas.

Kenyan President William Ruto is calling for a sweeping reform of the global financial architecture, arguing that current systems block developing countries from accessing affordable climate finance. He says unlocking green capital pipelines is essential for African nations to fund renewable energy and climate adaptation, and has urged international lenders and wealthy states to restructure lending rules and expand climate funding flows.

Kyrgyzstan's government e-services portal reports that high-level meetings have been held on measures to address climate change and ensure a fair transition. The talks focus on coordinating policy responses to climate impacts and supporting a shift that protects workers and communities. The country, highly exposed to glacier melt and water stress, has been seeking international support for its climate agenda.

PBS NewsHour reports on scientists developing new ways to control mosquito populations as rising global temperatures expand the habitats where the insects and the diseases they carry can spread. The segment examines research approaches to targeting mosquitoes as warming climate conditions push the public health threat into previously unaffected regions.

The UN's humanitarian chief has said preventing a third world war is now the organisation's top priority, pointing to militarised artificial intelligence and climate change as key risks. The remarks, reported by Caliber.Az, also referenced a proposed 'Board of Peace' as part of discussions on global governance and conflict prevention.

Türkiye's Zero Waste Movement, launched under First Lady Emine Erdogan's patronage, has entered its ninth year, with attention turning to COP31 as a platform to advance the initiative internationally. The movement has promoted recycling and waste reduction across Turkish schools, businesses and households since 2017, and backers hope upcoming climate talks will give its waste-management goals fresh global momentum.

An opinion piece argues that United Nations diplomacy is at a critical juncture as wars continue and prospects for peace remain uncertain. It contends the organisation's ability to mediate conflicts and uphold international stability is under strain, raising questions about the relevance and effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy in the current global climate.

The Atlantic has yet to produce a hurricane this season, and climate outlet Grist attributes the calm to El Niño. The phenomenon, which is driving record ocean temperatures worldwide, creates wind shear over the Atlantic that suppresses tropical storm development. The piece notes the irony that the same pattern raising global temperatures is also canceling Atlantic tropical activity, at least for now.

The Guardian has published an explainer on El Niño, the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific that can drive droughts, floods and heatwaves across the globe. The piece outlines what causes the phenomenon, how it disrupts weather patterns, and what steps communities and governments can take to reduce the risks it poses.

Climate rallies are being planned across France following a summer of record-breaking temperatures. Le Monde reports that demonstrations are being organised nationwide as campaigners seek to push the government for stronger climate action. The mobilisation follows months of extreme heat, with organisers and participants calling attention to the country's vulnerability to global warming.

A new ranking shows which countries are seeing greenhouse gas emissions rise fastest, and where they are falling. The data highlights how quickly some economies' carbon output is growing even as others cut back, giving a comparative picture of global climate progress. Commenters are sharing the ranking amid ongoing concern over climate change, pollution and stalled climate policy.