WRI Insights

A new report from world's foremost climate scientists shows the perils of raising global temperatures by more than 1.5°C—extreme weather, coral reef die-off, food insecurity and more. The December UN climate conference in Katowice, Poland is the biggest immediate opportunity for nations to show they're taking the findings seriously.

Our This Month in Climate Science blog series offers a snapshot of the month's significant scientific literature, compiled from some of the leading peer-reviewed journals. Research published in September 2018 found that U.S. national parks are warming at double the rate of the country overall, among dozens of other findings.

Lawrence MacDonald sits down with Christina Chan and Niranjali Amerasinghe, who argue that siloed operations keeping development and climate finance apart could hold back climate adaptation.

Scientists say that global emissions must reach net-zero by mid-century to avoid the worst climate disasters. While G20 countries produce 75 percent of world's emissions, only a small handful have a plan for reducing them between now and 2050.

Research shows that water projects can become more effective when women participate. So why are they still being left out?

Global meat and dairy consumption is set to increase nearly 70 percent by 2050. The resulting agricultural emissions would make it impossible to keep temperature rise below 1.5°C (2.7°F), the level scientists say is necessary for staving off climate disasters.

In an op-ed for CNN, WRI President and CEO Andrew Steer explains the importance of the IPCC's 1.5 degrees report.

The world's biggest climate fund has had a rough go of it this year. Nearing the end of their first funding period, they can right the ship by tackling replenishment, governance and decision-making at a final 2018 board meeting.

Firewood is cutting into Kenya's forests. Entrepreneurs are responding with a new "biomass briquette" industry that turns wastes into fuel.

To manage intensifying climate impacts, we must transform the way we adapt to such changes. Transformative adaptation in agriculture—that is, broad, fundamental, systemic changes in food production—can enhance global food security and reduce the risk of crises and conflict.