Global Climate News

Global biodiversity loss is at an unprecedented rate, with up to one million species at risk of extinction. More than 50% of global GDP depends on natural resources. The World Economic Forum estimates business opportunities in sustainable resource use to be worth up to USD 10 trillion annually by 2030. Nordea launched a biodiversity fund investing in sustainable resource use and biodiversity restoration.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Discovery Channel launched a five-part video series, "Good To Know," showcasing how nuclear science addresses global challenges like microplastics, cancer, food insecurity, water scarcity, and industrial contamination. The series airs in over 30 countries, reaching 44 million households.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Khalifa University collaborated on a comprehensive coastal seabed survey aboard the marine research vessel Jaywun to explore the effects of climate change on the Arabian Gulf’s marine ecosystem. The research, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will inform future sustainability and conservation projects.

India reported a 7.93% reduction in GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019, as highlighted in its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4). The energy sector contributed 75.66% of emissions. India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070 and has launched several initiatives including the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" tree plantation campaign and the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) Program, with ₹12.55 crores allocated in FY 2024-25.

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) signed a memorandum of understanding to reduce cigarette butt litter. The initiative will involve public awareness campaigns, encouraging businesses to install cigarette butt collection facilities, and promoting environmental responsibility. The goal is to improve public spaces and align with UN Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 14.

Researchers used satellite data to characterize marine heatwaves in the Chesapeake Bay, identifying a north-south gradient in heatwave duration and number of events. They found that marine heatwave maximum intensity is higher in tributary waters than in the main stem of the Bay. The study highlights the effectiveness of satellite data for studying marine heatwaves in estuaries.

Brazil has sanctioned a law regulating offshore energy development, aiming to boost renewable energy generation, create jobs, and strengthen energy security. The law includes incentives for domestic industry and provisions for environmental protection and community consultations. Revenue from the initiative will be shared between the federal government, states, and municipalities, primarily funding research, innovation, and sustainable development.

Researchers have developed GelCam, a camera system that captures time-lapse images of particles settling in a sediment trap, enabling observation of time-varying particle flux over shorter durations. The system was deployed nine times during EXPORTS campaigns in 2018 and 2021 in the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans, revealing diel variation in fecal pellet flux and allowing investigation of covariance among different particle types over short timescales. This enhances the ability to resolve sinking events that may be missed with traditional methods.

Globally, 2024 marked the warmest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels in most leading datasets. Record-high ocean heat content, widespread regional warming impacting 3.3 billion people, and record-high greenhouse gas concentrations were also observed. The causes remain under investigation, but human-caused greenhouse gases, El Niño variability, and cloud reflectivity changes are implicated.

Greenpeace conducted various climate activism campaigns globally, including a petition with over 1,640,108 signatures submitted to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to ban bee-killing pesticides; a protest against Woodside’s drilling project in Australia impacting endangered species; and highlighting the impact of climate change on residents of Bilangbilangan and Batasan Islands in the Philippines, where solar panels and charging stations were installed.

\"International parties discussed marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) activities under the London Convention and Protocol. While some progress was made, no concrete action was taken. Differing opinions on commercial activity and governance were expressed among parties including Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. The parties agreed to continue work and evaluate options for appropriate action, including considering both potential risks and benefits of mCDR techniques.\"

The Pew Charitable Trusts, in collaboration with 32 international scientists, conducted a horizon scan identifying 15 significant issues shaping environmental conservation. Four key issues highlighted include: macroalgae as a sustainable source of rare earth elements; record low Antarctic sea ice impacting marine ecosystems; human impact on seabed carbon stores; and offshore wind farms altering ocean processes. The study was published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution and partially funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

The National Audubon Society released a report advocating for responsible offshore wind development that minimizes risks to birds. The report outlines strategies to balance clean energy with conservation, including a four-step process: removing critical bird habitats from consideration, implementing minimization measures, offsetting unavoidable impacts, and conducting monitoring. Several organizations, including Ørsted and the National Aquarium, voiced support for the report’s recommendations.

The National Audubon Society released a report, \"Birds and Offshore Wind\", outlining strategies for responsible offshore wind development that minimizes risks to birds. The report recommends a four-step process: remove critical bird habitats, implement risk reduction measures, offset unavoidable impacts, and monitor projects. The report also calls for policies prioritizing wildlife protection and community benefits.

France hosted the 30th Conference of Ambassadors, addressing major international challenges and focusing on supporting the French economy and the European agenda. The conference also discussed the upcoming AI Action Summit, Nutrition for Growth Summit, and UN Ocean Conference, all of which have sustainability implications.

This research assessed patterns of biotic homogenization and differentiation across more than 175,000 samples of 2,006 demersal fish species from 34 regions spanning six decades and 20% of the planet’s continental shelf area. Ten regions showed significant homogenization, eleven showed significant differentiation, and fifteen showed non-monotonic temporal fluctuations. Fishing pressure and temperature influenced beta diversity, but effects varied regionally. The study challenges the global homogenization paradigm in marine ecosystems.

A study has reviewed the reconstructed metabolic evolution of marine picocyanobacteria and explored how the marine biosphere overcame earlier constraints on productivity, potentially linking the rise of arthropods to cyanobacteria's colonization of the open ocean. The research suggests that photosynthesis may have been largely limited to shallow continental shelf waters during the Precambrian, impacting interpretations of biospheric productivity and Earth history.

India has launched the first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The NTPC Green Energy Limited Green Hydrogen Hub Project in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, entails an investment of approximately ₹1,85,000 crore and will produce 1500 TPD Green Hydrogen and 7500 TPD Green Hydrogen derivatives. This project will contribute to India's target of 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

Wales has launched the UK’s first Ocean Literacy strategy, ‘Y Môr a Ni’ (The Sea and Us), aiming to improve people’s relationship with the coast and seas. The initiative, led by CaSP Cymru and involving 22 organizations, seeks to raise awareness of the sea’s influence and our impact on it, promoting actions to protect marine environments and support local well-being. The strategy addresses threats such as climate change and pollution.

The Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship, held in Abu Dhabi from January 10-12, 2025, aims to preserve the UAE’s marine heritage, encourage traditional fishing, promote tourism, and support the local economy. The championship, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, offered a total cash prize of AED1,168,000.