Six of nine planetary boundaries have been crossed
13/9/2023: Six of nine planetary boundaries are being crossed, while simultaneously pressure in all boundary processes is increasing, new research published in the journal Science Advances shows. The new study is the third major assessment of the planetary boundaries framework, first introduced in 2009.
Source: Stockholm Resilience Centre
Small islands open case at landmark maritime court hearing
11/9/2023: The heads of small island states most vulnerable to climate change have criticised “endless” climate change negotiations. At the start of an unprecedented maritime court hearing, they have called for legally binding obligations, rather than empty promises that go unfulfilled.
Source: Climate Home News
Stop calling people ‘climate refugees’
11/9/2023: Despite the rejection of the term “climate refugee” by the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization on Migration, it persists in popular media. “Climate refugee” implies that populations displaced by climate change are protected by the 1951 Refugee Convention. They are not.
Source: Climate Home News
Global survey of democracy uncovers mixed feelings
14/9/2023: An annual global survey from the Open Society Foundation reflects both positive and negative aspects of the state of democracy worldwide. A disconcertingly large minority of young people surveyed (42%) feel that military rule is a good way of running a country. A similar number (35%) feel that having a strong leader who does not bother with elections or consulting parliament/congress is also acceptable.
Source: Inter Press Service
The future of global governance is collective, not top-down
14/9/2023: A vice-president of the Ford Foundation says that we need to establish a new global governance paradigm driven by new players, governed by new rules, and responsive to our new reality. Our outdated 20th-century model enables a handful of major powers to unilaterally dictate resolutions to global challenges.
Source: Devex
UNGA78: ‘Action is what the world needs’ – UN chief
13/9/2023: The UN Secretary-General has given a clear message for the gathering of 193 Member States for the UN General Assembly opening in New York: “This is not a time for posturing or positioning.” He laid out the stall for next week’s key summits, on climate, investment for development, health challenges and specific regional crises.
Source: UN News
G20 admits African Union as permanent member
9/9/2023: The African Union was made a permanent member of the G20, comprising the world's richest and most powerful countries, at the recent summit in New Delhi. The African Union, a continental body of 55 member states, now has the same status as the European Union.
Source: CNA
More leadership needed from G20 countries
9/9/2023: In response to the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, the World Resources Institute warns that these countries must shift more rapidly away from fossil fuels - and do more to address the severe lack of finance and debt crises that climate-vulnerable countries face.
Source: World Resources Institute
Major study warns of growing threat from invasive species
6/9/2023: The new global deal for nature agreed at COP15 in Montreal last year includes a target to reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030. But a major new report by IPBES warns that the impacts of invasive species are set to worsen through international trade, climate change and other human activities.
Source: China Dialogue
A wolf in sheep’s clothing: why Africa should shun carbon markets
7/9/2023: There is increasing hype and push for so-called voluntary carbon markets in Africa. For global corporations, purchasing credits is the cheapest way to avoid real cuts in emissions and continue business as usual. Since carbon markets were started more than two decades ago, there’s a large body of evidence showing offsetting schemes mean insecurity and land grabs for local communities
Source: Climate Home News