Land

EU plans to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030 for biodiversity

EU plans to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030 for biodiversity

The European Commission set out a strategy to overhaul farming and strictly protect carbon-rich forests and wetlands, to benefit wildlife

Shorter supply chains needed to end hunger after pandemic: UN envoy

Shorter supply chains needed to end hunger after pandemic: UN envoy

The coronavirus crisis has heightened inequities of food availability and nutrition. A 2021 Food System Summit aims to boost resilience and sustainability

Amazon faces 'perfect storm' of forest clearance, coronavirus and wildfire

Amazon faces ‘perfect storm’ of forest clearance, coronavirus and wildfire

President Jair Bolsonaro’s opening up of the Brazilian rainforest to logging and mining makes its people vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic, experts warn

No silver lining to coronavirus, but a golden opportunity

No silver lining to coronavirus, but a golden opportunity

Rebuilding after the pandemic should be a moment to reset international governance, deepen global cooperation and restructure societies away from fossil fuels

Next UN climate science report to consider lessons from coronavirus

Next UN climate science report to consider lessons from coronavirus

UN climate science reports due in 2021 will examine the links between pandemics and human pressures on the natural world to guide policymakers

One crisis at a time, please - Climate Weekly

One crisis at a time, please – Climate Weekly

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Malawi’s farmers grow crops with 'magic liquid' fertiliser

Malawi’s farmers grow crops with ‘magic liquid’ fertiliser

‘Bionitrate’ made from urine is starting to help yields for farmers in Malawi who face high costs fertilising maize and other crops amid shifting weather patterns

From summits to stimulus: Nature-based solutions can help

From summits to stimulus: Nature-based solutions can help

Nature-based solutions deserve much deeper consideration as governments decide how to design their economic responses to the coronavirus

Land

Agriculture

The second death of Chico Mendes

The second death of Chico Mendes

Rubber tappers burn an Amazon forest reserve in Brazil to clear land to raise cattle – deforestation has increased under President Jair Bolsonaro

The Netherlands faces pressure as global 'test case' for deep emissions cuts in 2020

The Netherlands faces pressure as global ‘test case’ for deep emissions cuts in 2020

Dutch Supreme Court has ordered the government to cut emissions by 25% by 2020 but latest figures show only a 15% reduction from 1990 levels

'Mysterious' seasons harm Nigeria's farmers who need help with climate change

‘Mysterious’ seasons harm Nigeria’s farmers who need help with climate change

Smallholder farmers grow 90% of Nigeria’s food but their crops are vulnerable to ever more extreme weather linked to climate change. New technologies can help

Locusts plague destroys livelihoods in Kenya but 'biggest threat yet to come'

Locusts plague destroys livelihoods in Kenya but ‘biggest threat yet to come’

Wetter and hotter weather than usual is forecast until May, providing locust eggs with ideal conditions to hatch and grow. FAO says it is in a “race against time”

Youth activists urge African governments to do more to curb climate change

Youth activists urge African governments to do more to curb climate change

Africa emits only 5% of world greenhouse gas emissions yet is most at risk from worsening heatwaves, droughts and floods

Locusts lay eggs as plague worsens in Horn of Africa, UN warns

Locusts lay eggs as plague worsens in Horn of Africa, UN warns

The FAO has called for ‘urgent efforts’ to prevent the number of locusts from growing over fears of new swarms

Indigenous lands, protected areas limit Amazon's carbon emissions

Indigenous lands, protected areas limit Amazon’s carbon emissions

Greater international support for indigenous land rights and livelihoods is a cost-effective way to limit climate change, PNAS study

'Trundling over to Africa' - Climate Weekly

‘Trundling over to Africa’ – Climate Weekly

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Agriculture

Forests

Carbon taxes are key to stop deforestation

Carbon taxes are key to stop deforestation

In Colombia and Costa Rica, where governments have imposed carbon taxes, deforestation rates are down, while revenues to fund forest restoration efforts are up

Coronavirus side effect – Climate Weekly

Coronavirus side effect – Climate Weekly

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UK must cut land use emissions by two thirds to meet 2050 goal, advisers warn

UK must cut land use emissions by two thirds to meet 2050 goal, advisers warn

Committee on Climate Change warns a fifth of all agricultural land needs to be released for climate mitigation to help the UK achieve carbon neutrality

Australia's climate change polarisation hampers long-term bushfire fixes

Australia’s climate change polarisation hampers long-term bushfire fixes

‘We need to re-invent and re-think the management of our landscape,’ say bushfire experts, warning adapting to climate change will require bipartisan political support

Australia on fire - Climate Weekly

Australia on fire – Climate Weekly

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Australia's bushfires to cost billions as climate risks rise

Australia’s bushfires to cost billions as climate risks rise

Australian government announces national bushfire recovery fund, as cost of natural disasters expected to rise in coming years

Catholic church denounces 'attacks' on Amazon people and forest

Catholic church denounces ‘attacks’ on Amazon people and forest

Setting up a collision with Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro, the church said ‘ecocidal’ projects should be stopped and proposed indigenous-led development plan

In Tanzania, ownership of the forest offers new prospects for old loggers

In Tanzania, ownership of the forest offers new prospects for old loggers

In one of Africa’s fastest deforesting nations, community control over the land offers villages new income, infrastructure and dignity

Forests

Cities

Addis Ababa riverside project gives priority to development over residents

Addis Ababa riverside project gives priority to development over residents

Ethiopia wants $900 million riverside project to be a model of green development – yet one resident says shelters were demolished ‘without warning’

Car boom brings gridlock misery to 'green and happy' Bhutan

Car boom brings gridlock misery to ‘green and happy’ Bhutan

Bhutan’s growing economy brings growing gridlock – and a potential threat to the country’s vaunted carbon-negative status

Two million in Zimbabwe's capital have no water as city turns off taps

Two million in Zimbabwe’s capital have no water as city turns off taps

‘The situation is bad, period’, says spokesman for Harare council, as suburbs go weeks without water and cases of typhoid are reported

Trains deliver emergency water to drought-hit Chennai

Trains deliver emergency water to drought-hit Chennai

Millions of people are experiencing water shortages as Chennai’s reservoirs are running dry and other sources of water are dwindling

EU 'climate leaders' plans found lacking

EU ‘climate leaders’ plans found lacking

Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany praised for ambitious targets, but NGO analysis raises questions over details

New York City bans inefficient glass skyscrapers, WA state to end coal

New York City bans inefficient glass skyscrapers, WA state to end coal

New York mayor announces sweeping climate change programme, while Washington’s power will be carbon-neutral by 2030

Life adapts to Louisiana's disappearing coast

Life adapts to Louisiana’s disappearing coast

South Louisiana is experiencing the effects of coastal erosion faster than almost anywhere in the world, but life adapts through the buildings and architecture

7 surprising things about the carbon footprint of your food

7 surprising things about the carbon footprint of your food

From sandwiches to ‘bleeding’ veggie burgers, we’ve rounded up some of the latest research and innovations for a low-carb(on) diet

Cities