The UN's 75th General Assembly last week offered a crucial moment for leaders to demonstrate global solidarity for a fairer, safer, stronger world amid the sweeping impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and a changing climate.
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Leading Topics
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by and - California's decision to require that all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the state to be emissions free by 2035 takes the fight against climate change to the next level.
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by , , and - New research shows that natural forest regrowth, as opposed to reforestation through tree planting, can capture more carbon dioxide from the air than previously thought.
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As 2020 began, the question of whether and how countries would strengthen their commitments under the Paris Agreement loomed large, driven by a global youth climate movement and a growing recognition of the urgency to keep temperature change below 1.5 degrees C. The sudden arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic greatly complicated this task, consuming the attention of national leaders and senior officials.
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by and - Forests everywhere alter the movement, quality and availability of water. The world’s urban leaders need to account for the role of forests in securing clean water for residents and the agricultural lands that cities rely on.
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by , and - Emerging evidence from this pandemic and experience from previous disease outbreaks show that it’s rural women who will disproportionately bear the socio-economic hardships of COVID-19.
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by , , , and - While setting a net-zero target can signal a serious commitment to long-term climate action, several critical design factors determine the rigor of these targets and the extent to which they set a country on a plausible pathway to a net-zero future in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
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by - Dan Lashof, Director of WRI United States, reflects on the wildfires in the Western United States — and why now is the time for national action on climate change.
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by - 75 years ago, the United Nations was founded on the belief that countries must work together to address global issues. As the world faces climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, some national governments are living up to this belief more than others — but crucial actors may be able to turn the tide.
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by , and - Increased global emissions lead to higher temperatures and more fire-prone conditions. With more fires comes more emissions, fueling rapid climate change.