1.5 To Stay Alive
COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém
By Carbon Brief A voluntary plan to curb fossil fuels, a goal to triple adaptation finance and new efforts to “strengthen” climate targets have been launched at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. After all-night negotiations in the Amazonian city of BelĂ©m, the Brazilian presidency released a final package termed the “global mutirĂŁo” – a […]
Climate Spotlight StaffCarbon Market
USA blocks adoption of first global carbon tax
Negotiations at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) extraordinary meetings were adjourned without a decision on the shipping industry’s Net-Zero Framework. By Climate Spotlight Threats levied by the Trump Administration, along with the US State Department, on member nations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) derailed a vote to pass the first-ever global carbon tax during […]
Climate Spotlight StaffClimate and Health
Over 70% of Gaza’s population trapped in high-risk climate zones
The forced displacement of over 1.9 million people in Gaza confines them to areas with extreme exposure to climate hazards. By Marco Lopez There is no safe ground in Gaza. This is according to a report published earlier this month by SARI Global, a climate think tank that provides real-time climate risk analysis. Its report […]
Climate Spotlight Staff1.5 To Stay Alive
Global temperatures to remain at or near record levels, says WMO
By Marco Lopez – Editor-in-Chief, Climate Spotlight Every additional fraction of a degree of global warming drives up the impact of heat waves, extreme rainfall events, floods, droughts, melting ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers. It heats the oceans and raises sea levels, wreaking havoc on organisms and ecosystems. Last year, 2024, was recorded as […]
Climate Spotlight StaffClimate Protest
Climate Activists and Environmental Protesters at Risk; We Must Protect Their Rights!
A University of Bristol report reveals an increase in repression of climate and environmental activism globally By Marco Lopez – Editor-in-Chief, Climate Spotlight It’s safe to say that climate consciousness has reached the critical mass necessary to trigger social action at scale. Populations are becoming more and more aware of their place in a world […]
Climate Spotlight StaffClimate Finance
“Finance COP” Fails to Meet Necessary Climate Finance Goal
While an agreement to triple the current commitment on climate finance flows to developing countries was met at COP29, this deal is seen as insufficient by experts and the most vulnerable countries. By Marco Lopez The pledge by the developed world to allocate $300 billion to least developed countries at the eleventh hour in Baku, […]
Climate Spotlight StaffAfrica
Sahara Desert floods for first time in half a century
By Marco Lopez More than 100mm of rainfall in just 24 hours resulted in rare flooding across parts of the Sahara Desert. This unprecedented weather event has not occurred in 50 years – changing the topography of the typically arid landscape overnight. The Moroccan village of Tagounite – located 450 kilometers from the capital Rabat […]
Climate Spotlight StaffAction and Advocacy
El Salvador faces international scrutiny for “Political Trial” of environmental activists
The five men, were at the forefront of an over decade-long campaign to ban metal mining in El Salvador, in order to protect the country’s diminishing water sources and farmlands from continual contamination. By Marco Lopez Five environmental activists from El Salvador are currently on trial in that Latin American nation facing life imprisonment for […]
Climate Spotlight StaffBelize
Consultations on expansion of Marine Biodiversity Zones concludes; Fisherfolk underrepresented
By Andre Habet Milestone four of the Blue Loan and Conservation Funding Agreement obliges the Government of Belize to expand Biodiversity Protection Zones in Belize’s marine space by 25% by November 2024. Luminary Management Consultation, a group out of Orange Walk District was contracted by the government to carry out 11 consultation sessions across coastal […]
Climate Spotlight Staff1.5 To Stay Alive
Are cooler days on the horizon? WMO predicts a 60% chance of La Nina
By Marco Lopez The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is reporting a 60% chance of a turn to La Nina conditions as we near the end of 2024. A release by the organization earlier this month highlighted the relatively short-term cooling period that is likely to come from the shift. A much-needed reprieve considering the scorching […]
Climate Spotlight StaffEditorial
Climate at 2024 US Presidential Debate
The responses to the climate question from both presidential candidates paints a stark picture of the short-term future of climate action globally. By Marco Lopez BELMOPAN, Mon. Sept. 16, 2024 One thing last Tuesday’s US Presidential Debate made clear was that neither a Harris nor Trump Administration would do much to address the global climate […]
Climate Spotlight StaffCOP29
UNFCCC allocates more COP29 badges to Global South NGOs
By Climate Spotlight Staff In response to requests from parties to address a long-standing imbalance in COP representation, the UN Climate Change body is giving a larger share of attendance badges to non-governmental organizations from the Global South. This move should give groups from developing countries a greater and more diverse voice at the climate […]
Climate Spotlight Staff