In America, Catholics, Hispanics, young people most likely to voice climate concerns – survey
United StatesRNS Catholics and Hispanics are among the most concerned in the US about the impact of climate change, with Gen Z and millennials more likely to take collective action on the matter, according to a new survey commissioned by the international humanitarian agency Catholic Relief Services. While a majority of Americans (81 per cent) […]
US President Joe Biden stops short of declaring climate emergency, takes steps on wind power
Somerset, Massachusetts/Washington DC, US Reuters US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that climate change is an emergency but stopped short of a formal declaration, announcing a modest package of executive actions and promising more aggressive efforts. Biden made the comments during a visit to Massachusetts and as a historic heat wave batters Europe and […]
Climate-fuelled disasters bring “grave” costs across the globe in 2021
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaThomson Reuters Foundation From deadly Hurricane Ida in the United States to devastating floods in China and Europe, climate change-fuelled disasters have cost the world tens of billions of dollars in 2021, with both the poor and the rich hit hard, researchers said this week. Floods, storms and drought also killed and displaced […]
UN biodiversity chief urges COP26 climate talks to prioritise nature
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaThomson Reuters Foundation Any new pledges made at the upcoming COP26 climate summit must include protection and restoration of natural areas, said the UN biodiversity chief – a move that could give a boost to ongoing efforts to broker a separate global nature pact. About 195 countries are set to finalise a new […]
Christians invited to light a candle for the climate during COP26
Christians are being invited to light a candle for the climate in a new global initiative to raise awareness and promote prayer and action in response to the world’s climate change crisis. The #ClimateVigil campaign – which is being spearheaded by the US-based Evangelical Climate Network along with the Million Prayer Mission, World Evangelical Alliance, […]
Meet the 86-year-old nun who’s standing with Australian teens launching a major climate lawsuit
Thomson Reuters Foundation Octogenarian nun, Brigid Arthur, lost faith in Australian politicians a long time ago – making her a natural ally for defiant teenagers seeking to force action on climate change. Equally fed up with political foot-dragging, the 86-year-old has joined eight students from across Australia in a landmark case seeking to block the expansion of […]
Governments urged to use COVID-19 stimulus to adapt to climate threats
Barcelona, SpainThomson Reuters Foundation Spending to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic will determine whether countries are better able to adapt to more extreme weather and rising seas as the planet warms – a challenge they have failed to meet so far, top UN officials said this week. In the fifth edition of its Adaptation Gap Report, […]
Australia forecasts prolonged wildfire seasons, more droughts from climate change
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australia’s climate will continue to warm, resulting in prolonged wildfire seasons and less rain in the south-east and south-west that will lead to more frequent droughts, the country’s weather bureau said on Friday. Australia’s changing climate patterns can be attributed to an increase in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere […]
UN chief invites young climate activists to meet, give input
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation The head of the United Nations said this week he will start meeting regularly with young climate activists, saying participation by youth on the frontlines is critical to scaling up action to slow global warming. A group of seven people, ages 18 to 28, from seven countries will sit […]
Over 10,000 US Christians petition Boston College to reject Koch grant
Boston, USRNS More than 10,080 Christians have signed a petition urging officials at Boston College to reject a potential donation from the Koch Foundation toward the Jesuit university’s political science department. The online Christian social justice organisation Faithful America submitted the signatures to school administrators on Thursday, arguing that accepting money from the libertarian multi-billionaire Koch family is “completely […]