Belize
How the High Seas Treaty Impacts Climate Change and Biodiversity
Belize became the first Caribbean country to ratify the agreement, helping push the historic ocean governance treaty into force. By Climate Spotlight The first legally binding treaty covering international ocean zones came into force on January 17, 2026. The purpose of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, also called the “ocean” or “high seas” treaty, […]
Climate Spotlight StaffBelize
Study finds important Nassau grouper spawning site in Belize near collapse
By Marco Lopez HOPKINS, Belize — The Nassau grouper is drawn by the winter moon, between December and March, to special places where hundreds of the cryptic fish engage in a reproductive dance that sometimes lasts days. Northeast Point at Glover’s Reef Atoll, off the coast of southern Belize, is one of those places. The […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Carbon Market
Carbon offset system is broken, new analysis warns
By Marco Lopez A new study has found that carbon offset programs have largely failed to deliver real greenhouse gas reductions — and may be hindering the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels needed to meet Paris Agreement climate targets. Climate-vulnerable countries host the majority of offset projects but benefit the least, while rich emitters use […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Climate 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 Staff Belize
Unpacking the Belize Fund for A Sustainable Future: A Unique Custodian for Marine Protection
By Marco Lopez – Editor-in-Chief, Climate Spotlight When Jose Oliva hopped on the sailboat crewed and captained by sea-hardened northern fishermen, I got the sense that the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund) was the real deal. The fishermen were not so happy about not receiving some funds to help support their livelihoods […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Climate Cases
ICJ to rule on states’ climate obligations in 2025
By Marco Lopez – Editor-In-Chief, Climate Spotlight From December 2–13, 2024, a record-breaking 100-plus oral submissions were delivered to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court, which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN), has been asked to give an advisory opinion on the legal obligations of states in relation to […]
Climate Spotlight Staff 1.5 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 Staff Coral Reef
Worst global bleaching event impacting majority of world’s reefs
By Marco Lopez – Climate Spotlight Editor Unprecedented heat stress has impacted 83.7% of the world’s coral reefs from January 2023, when the 4th global coral bleaching event commenced, to April 20, 2025. At least 83 countries and territories have been documented in this mass coral bleaching event. The latest data from the US government’s […]
Climate Spotlight Staff COP29
A parallel history: The fight for freedom and a clean planet
By Tecla Fontenard I often wonder whether climate change talks at COPs are comparable to historical debates about the call for the abolition of slavery. The more I listen to debates on climate change, which intensify at COP regarding climate issues, the more I notice the use of radical language by negotiators and leaders. Terms […]
Climate Spotlight Staff 1.5 To Stay Alive
Climate Change in 2024: What the Science is Saying
By Marco Lopez, Editor-in-Chief – Climate Spotlight Global warming and its impacts are unfolding at unprecedented rates as our planet continues to experience record-breaking temperatures driven by greenhouse gas emissions. 2024 was no exception. As urgency for policymakers to step up efforts to curb climate change continues to rise, so is the frequency of the […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Climate 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 Staff Climate Cases
Historic ICJ climate case concludes
Over 100 countries and international organizations presented arguments on who should bear legal responsibility for the climate crisis; the ICJ has now begun deliberations, but no end date has been announced as yet By Marco Lopez Who will bear the legal responsibility for the climate crisis? For the developing world, the answer is clear – […]
Climate Spotlight Staff 
