United Nations
'People Are Being Killed Like Flies': Denied Asylum in the U.S., Cameroonians Fear Increasing Violence Back Home
Martin fled Cameroon when security forces imprisoned his father and started regularly raiding Anglophone villages. The U.S. government might send him back.
How Much Longer Can Venezuela's Neighboring Countries Handle the Refugee Crisis?
The number of Venezuelan refugees will reach 5.4 million by the end of 2019, according to projections from the United Nations.
The U.N. Is Calling for the Inclusion of People With Disabilities in the Climate Change Debate
In a new resolution, the organization urges governments to listen to those who are affected the most by natural disasters.
World Refugee Day: An Essential Reading List
We've collected highlights from our coverage of displaced people around the world.
How Humanitarian Aid Became Politicized
An interview with Peter Mulrean, of the United Nations agency in charge of Palestinian refugees, about what cutting U.S. aid to the program will mean for the world.
Trump's Budget Proposal Cuts Funding for the UNICEF Line Item
The move is expected by analysts to further diminish America's "soft power."
A New U.N. Report Calls for Urgent Environmental Action to Mitigate Premature Deaths and Other Threats
To get on track to achieve sustainability goals, the report outlines a series of changes to the global systems of food production, energy, and waste management.
2018 Was the Deadliest Year for Afghan Civilians in Recent Record
On the heels of peace talks between the Taliban and U.S. government, a new U.N. report finds increased violence at the hands of ISIS.
The Key to Stopping Deforestation May Lie in Reducing Inequality
New research has found that higher levels of inequality lead to more deforestation, whereas better equality leads to better forest protections.
There Still Aren't Enough Women Working in National Security. And That's a Problem.
Last year, President Donald Trump signed a piece of legislation aimed at bringing gender inclusivity into the Department of State, but thus far there have been no tangible signs of progress.
Most Countries Have Environmental Regulations. Very Few Actually Abide by Them.
A new U.N. report finds that, to address climate change, we don't need new laws or regulations, but to get countries to comply with laws that already exist.
The Continued Clearing of Rainforests Spells Disaster for Curbing Climate Change
The countries with the richest swaths of rainforest are still cutting them down, undermining one of the best available solutions to staving off climate change impacts.
OPEC and the U.N. Struggle to Find a Way Forward on Climate Change (in Photos)
One of the most urgent issues of our time is on the minds of world leaders this week.
Some Positive News on Climate Finance at COP24
There are concerns that the boost may be short-lived as populist governments shun climate aid.
What Influence Will Populism Have on the U.N. Climate Conference?
Experts argue that the political structure of populist nationalism makes introducing policies to reduce, or mitigate, emissions in democracies difficult.
Beatrice Fihn Is Banning Nuclear Weapons, With or Without Us
The Swedish anti-nuclear activist led the United Nations to adopt the first legally binding global nuclear ban. Now, she's changing the culture.
The Edit, Episode #14: A Conversation About Climate Change and COP24
On the latest episode of Pacific Standard's podcast about how our stories are made, we talk with staff writer Kate Wheeling about her upcoming trip to cover the United Nations climate conference in Katowice, Poland.
Will the U.N.'s Dire Climate Report Light a Fire Under Negotiators at COP24?
The latest report from the IPCC finds that climate action is both urgent and possible. Political will might be in shorter supply.
The Latest U.N. Gap Report Shows Which Countries Are Falling Farthest Behind on Climate
Major countries are still whiffing on their Paris Agreement pledges.
A Coalition of Global Participants Pledge to Protect Five Million Square Miles of Ocean
The Our Ocean Conference generated 287 pledges in bilateral and multilateral agreements between governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and philanthropic foundations that are valued at more than $10 billion.
Media Coverage of Climate Change Is Caught in an Equilibrium Trap
The media outlets focused on climate change are centered in areas where the actual effects of climate change generally haven't become tangible.
What's the Point of the IPCC's New Climate Report?
Even as some observers were struck by the dire forecast, many others say that this is nothing new—and that national leaders will ignore it anyway.
Viewfinder: Greenpeace Protests Coal
Police officers look on as Greenpeace activists hang from ropes after unfurling a banner outside the German embassy in a protest against coal on October 8th, 2018, in London, England.
The New IPCC Report Offers Climate Solutions That Depend on Magic
To solve the crisis, we'd have to slow growth. And no one wants to admit that.