United Nations

One of the most urgent issues of our time is on the minds of world leaders this week.

• By Emma Sarappo

There are concerns that the boost may be short-lived as populist governments shun climate aid.

• By Sophie Yeo

Experts argue that the political structure of populist nationalism makes introducing policies to reduce, or mitigate, emissions in democracies difficult.

• By Arjuna Dibley

The Swedish anti-nuclear activist led the United Nations to adopt the first legally binding global nuclear ban. Now, she's changing the culture.

• By Emily Moon

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.

• By Pacific Standard Staff

The latest report from the IPCC finds that climate action is both urgent and possible. Political will might be in shorter supply.

• By Kate Wheeling

Major countries are still whiffing on their Paris Agreement pledges.

• By Kate Wheeling

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.

• By Basten Gokkon

The media outlets focused on climate change are centered in areas where the actual effects of climate change generally haven't become tangible.

• By Jared Keller

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.

• By Sophie Yeo

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.

• By Pacific Standard Staff

To solve the crisis, we'd have to slow growth. And no one wants to admit that.

• By Richard Heinberg

The United Nations' highly anticipated climate science report is due out Monday, and it's unlikely to bring good news.

• By Kate Wheeling

As a result of the Venezuelan crisis, refugees are flooding into cities and towns across the region, an example of a growing global trend.

• By Robert Muggah

In June, Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, became only the second head of state in modern history to give birth while in office.

• By Pacific Standard Staff

A new report from the United Nations finds that there has been a sharp increase of instances of physical violence and legal prosecution against indigenous peoples in countries across the globe.

• By Mike Gaworecki

Michelle Bachelet's bold speech condemned the Trump administration's family separation policy along with other human rights abuses.

• By Jack Herrera

Demonstrators take part in a march against President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, Nicaraguan, on September 9th, 2018.

• By Pacific Standard Staff

The International Seabed Council once again failed to come to an agreement over the rules to govern the practice of mining valuable resources in deep ocean habitats.

• By Todd Woody

A sexist remark at a recent meeting prompted some soul-searching among the world's top climate scientists. How can they prevent women's expertise from being excluded?

• By Sophie Yeo

The announcement is expected to come one day after the U.N.'s high commissioner for human rights railed against Trump's immigration policies.

• By Kate Wheeling

When I talk about the climate process to the uninitiated, they always insist that there has to be a better way. The trouble is, there may not be.

• By Eric J. Lyman

Groups of volunteers clean up plastic waste on a beach in Lima, Peru, during World Environment Day on June 5th, 2018.

• By Pacific Standard Staff

Without action, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's ocean by mid-century.

• By Kate Wheeling