Climate Change
Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns. Unexpected changes in weather patterns make it difficult to maintain and grow crops in regions that rely on farming because expected temperature and rainfall levels can no longer be counted on. Climate change has also been connected with other damaging weather events, such as more frequent and more intense hurricanes, typhoons, floods, downpours, and winter storms. Climate change is largely caused by human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. Carbon emissions from fossil fuels, methane, and nitrous oxide, among others, are called “greenhouse gases.” When released into the Earth’s atmosphere, these gases trap heat from the sun’s rays causing Earth’s average temperature to rise. This rise in the planet's temperature is called global warming. While the climate has continually changed throughout the Earth's history, it has usually been a slow process over thousands of years. Climate change caused by human activity is occurring at a much faster and more dangerous rate.
Events and Articles
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Rio Conventions Pavilion at COP 27
The Rio Conventions Pavilion at COP 27 organized a series of events exploring land restoration, Africa’s NDC implementation in global food and energy crises, youth initiatives, and the Great Green Wall Initiative
Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Change Conference - November 2022
For the first time, countries agreed to recognize the need for finance to respond to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, and quickly established a fund and the necessary funding arrangements, with the details to be worked out over the coming year.
GEO Week 2022
Convening under the theme, “Global Action for Local Impact,” GEO Week 2022 brought together practitioners to discuss the potential for earth observation to assist in addressing global challenges. The week was heavily focused on the future direction of GEO, with participants engaging in sessions related to the road to GEO post-2025.
57th Session of the IPCC (IPCC-57)
With the publication of Synthesis Report from the sixth assessment cycle delayed until March 2023, delegates at IPCC-57 focused on the need to prepare for a smooth transition to the seventh assessment cycle, to ensure the Panel remains relevant and continues to provide much needed scientific guidance to advance ambitious climate action.
Global Methane, Climate and Clean Air Forum
Recognizing the world needs “a sprint, a marathon, and an ultramarathon all at once” on tackling climate change, the Forum convened leaders to build up global ambition to rapidly reduce emissions from methane and other short-lived climate pollutants. Participants heard from high-level officials and actors from both government and the private sector on a variety of themes focused around achieving fast climate action.
3rd Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Highlighting the synergies and gains to be made by tackling climate and sustainable development challenges in a coordinated manner, the conference also identified steps that countries can take in their national reporting to build support for action and counter the perception that climate mitigation is somehow too expensive.
62nd Meeting of the GEF Council
GEF Council Members endorsed the more than USD 5 billion replenishment for the next four-year period of the GEF and adopted Work Programs worth more than USD 238 million, launching projects that will contribute to a green and blue recovery and direct significant resources to small island developing States and least developed countries.
GEF Consultation with Civil Society on Inclusive Microfinance
The Global Environment Facility Civil Society Organization Network came together to provide insights on micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises and their work in the eighth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund and beyond.
Moving Beyond GDP: The Case for Wealth as a Core Measure of National Progress
With growing calls to move beyond GDP as a measure of national progress, the International Institute for Sustainable Development convened a seminar to explore the adoption of an inclusive wealth index.
Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2022
When delegates returned to Bonn after three years, the venue was the same, but so much else had changed: two parties are at war, greenhouse gas emissions are higher than ever, and climate impacts are increasing in severity. Loss and damage is now unavoidable—as are vulnerable countries’ calls for compensation.