Cuadrilla claims England's shale gas could alleviate the cost of living crisis. Critics say fracked gas would have little impact on energy bills and renewables are the way forward.
Three-quarters of the world’s land has become significantly drier due to human-driven global warming, according to a U.N. report released during desertification talks in Saudi Arabia.
Human-caused global warming has intensified dry conditions across every continent in recent decades.
Nearly 30% of the global population lives in moisture-deprived areas, up from 20% in 1990.
The report warns that more land could degrade into barren wastelands, threatening food production and increasing water scarcity.
Key quote:
“As long as we are continuing to warm the atmosphere, the atmosphere basically demands more water.”
— Dr. Narcisa Pricope, land systems scientist at Mississippi State University
Why this matters:
Drying trends affect food supplies, water availability and ecosystem health, posing risks to global stability. Countries reliant on agriculture are vulnerable to crop failures and economic hardship. Addressing emissions and water use is essential to mitigate desertification.
Small island states are urging the International Court of Justice to hold major polluters accountable for failing to meet climate goals and worsening the climate crisis.
Nearly 100 countries are asking the ICJ to declare that not cutting emissions in line with the Paris Agreement violates international law.
Leaders from nations like Antigua and Vanuatu argue that rising sea levels and stronger storms are threatening their existence.
Major emitters, including the US and Saudi Arabia, question the ICJ's authority to impose legal obligations for climate action.
Key quote:
“We find ourselves on the front lines of a crisis we did not create, a crisis that threatens our very existence.”
— Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's special envoy for climate change
Why this matters:
Small nations with low emissions suffer the worst effects of climate change caused by bigger polluters. Legal accountability could set a precedent for future climate action and compensation, addressing growing environmental injustices.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service says 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record, exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Records show this period may be the warmest the planet has experienced in 125,000 years.
Global warming is driving extreme weather events, with carbon emissions from fossil fuels still rising.
Key quote:
"At this point, it is effectively certain that 2024 is going to be the warmest year on record."
— Copernicus Climate Change Service
Why this matters:
Exceeding the 1.5°C limit risks catastrophic consequences for the planet. Rising temperatures fuel severe floods, storms, droughts and wildfires, threatening lives and ecosystems. Urgent climate action is necessary to curb fossil fuel emissions and avoid irreversible damage.
About 75% of recent heat-related deaths in Mexico occurred in people under 35, with many aged 18 to 34.
Researchers linked heat deaths to physical activities, lack of air conditioning and outdoor jobs among younger adults.
The study suggests poorer nations with younger labor forces may experience even greater heat-related mortality.
Key quote:
“It’s a surprise. These are physiologically the most robust people in the population."
— Jeffrey Shrader, environmental and labor economist at Columbia University
Why this matters:
Younger adults often perform physically demanding jobs under heat-exposed conditions, making them more vulnerable to rising temperatures. As climate change intensifies, more heat-related deaths in this age group could strain families and economies worldwide.
A three-judge panel questioned the feasibility of carbon capture technology in the EPA rule targeting coal and gas power plants.
Judges debated whether certain provisions of the rule violate Supreme Court limits on EPA authority set in the 2022 West Virginia v. EPA case.
With Trump’s impending presidency, the rule faces possible repeal regardless of the court’s decision.
Key quote:
“These timelines for dealing with CO2 pipelines seem very optimistic.There are a number of states that say they don’t want to have these CO2 pipelines. There is going to be litigation in state courts and federal courts.”
— Judge Neomi Rao
Why this matters:
Reducing emissions from power plants is vital for curbing climate change. If the rule is overturned or repealed, it could delay efforts to address greenhouse gases, impacting both public health and environmental goals.
A Supreme Court case over a proposed Utah railway may alter how federal agencies assess environmental impacts, potentially affecting projects nationwide.
The proposed 88-mile Uinta Basin Railway would boost oil production in northeastern Utah, sparking concerns about air quality and oil spill risks.
Opponents argue the project's environmental review ignored downstream effects, leading to a lawsuit that reached the Supreme Court.
The case could redefine the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), determining how thoroughly agencies evaluate environmental consequences.
Key quote:
“The primary beneficiaries of the railway would be a handful of CEOs of oil companies who have already manipulated Utah lawmakers into giving them public subsidies, whose objective is to exhaust this unique oil resource as fast as they can, to make as much money as fast as they can. The cost, literally and figuratively, would be borne by everyone else and future generations.”
— Dr. Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment.
Why this matters:
If the Supreme Court limits NEPA’s scope, it could weaken environmental protections and reduce public input on projects. This decision may accelerate fossil fuel infrastructure while increasing risks to air and water quality nationwide.
Rising flood and wildfire risks are threatening U.S. housing values, but Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have taken minimal steps to shield themselves and taxpayers from potential financial fallout.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back half of U.S. mortgages, but climate-related disasters are increasing risks to their portfolios.
Efforts to address these risks are stalled due to concerns over raising housing costs for low-income homeowners in vulnerable areas.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency has offered limited guidance, leaving Fannie and Freddie unprepared for escalating climate threats.
Key quote:
“We’ve got this mortgage-generating machine that is just moving blindly on without taking into account these risks.”
— Susan Crawford, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Why this matters:
Unaddressed climate risks could destabilize the mortgage system, forcing taxpayer bailouts. Homes in flood- and fire-prone areas may lose value, affecting homeowners and lenders alike. Without reforms, vulnerable communities may face rising costs and financial losses.
Legal and industry experts say there are uncertainties about the future of hydrogen hubs, a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s clean energy push.
A massive push for hydrogen energy is one of the first test cases of new federal environmental justice initiatives. Communities and advocates so far give the feds a failing grade.
