Global temperatures are projected to exceed 1.5°C, increasing the risks of extreme weather, melting glaciers, and widening climate inequalities. Timed with the 2026 ĢƵ Climate Summit, this explainer explores climate overshoot, climate justice, and the actions needed to accelerate a fair global transition.
Climate
Forecast-based action, resilient crops, efficient irrigation, diversification, and integrated support systems help farmers withstand El Niño shocks and strengthen long-term food security.
Convened by ĢƵ Secretary-General António Guterres, the Climate Summit (23 September) brings together leaders from major economies, developed and developing countries, vulnerable nations, and major energy producers and consumers. Ten years after the Paris Agreement, the world is entering a new phase of the climate crisis as the energy transition gains momentum. The Summit focuses on accelerating the transition, strengthening energy security, advancing climate justice, mobilizing action and protecting people from the escalating climate crisis. Follow the Summit on .
A global agreement helped put the ozone layer on the road to recovery — and its benefits continue to grow. The has shown that decisions guided by science, backed by countries and dedicated funding can deliver real results. This year’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (16 September), under the theme “Global action for a cooler planet,” marks 10 years since the was adopted. By helping countries replace harmful chemicals with safer options that also reduce global warming, the agreements show how science and global cooperation can protect people and the planet.
Young African climate leaders are driving innovative, community-based solutions that strengthen resilience, address climate mobility and empower vulnerable communities across the continent.
The Amazon is one of the world’s most important allies against climate change, storing vast amounts of carbon while supporting extraordinary biodiversity and millions of people. But deforestation, fires and other pressures are weakening its ability to regulate the climate and could push parts of the forest towards irreversible change. Protecting and restoring the Amazon means stopping forest loss, supporting sustainable livelihoods and recognizing the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Stronger national climate plans and international cooperation can help safeguard the forest — and the climate benefits it provides far beyond the region.
The world is likely to cross the 1.5°C global warming threshold within the next few years, increasing the risks of extreme weather, ecosystem loss and damage to health, food and water supplies. A new says the best remaining path is to keep this rise as small and brief as possible, then bring temperatures back below 1.5°C. This requires rapid and sustained cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, a faster shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, stronger climate adaptation and carefully managed removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Every fraction of a degree — and every year above 1.5°C — matters.
Extreme heat is a serious threat to human health, and climate change is making it more frequent and intense. Heat-related deaths have surged by 23% since the 1990s, with more than half a million lives lost every year. is a World Health Organization initiative to protect event-goers, workers and communities from the rising risks of extreme heat, air pollution and ultraviolet exposure. This video explains how Heat-Health Action Plans can help governments, communities, workplaces and event organizers prepare for and respond to extreme heat. It also highlights practical steps individuals can take: stay hydrated, rest in shaded or cool areas, use sun protection, recognize the signs of heat illness and look out for others. Together, we can Beat the Heat.
Young people’s rights to a healthy environment, safe homes, decent work, health care, food and education are increasingly threatened by the climate crisis. As the largest generation in history, they are driving change as advocates, innovators, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs and community leaders. Yet barriers to resources, representation and decision-making persist. Empowering meaningful youth participation is essential to advancing climate justice, human rights, resilience, transparency and a sustainable future that leaves no one behind for generations to come. .
Extreme heat is no longer a future threat—it is a global crisis already claiming more lives each year than floods, storms and wildfires combined. As record-breaking temperatures and marine heat intensify, the strengthening is expected to push global temperatures even higher while disrupting rainfall patterns and increasing the risk of droughts, floods and . Yet proven solutions exist. Early warning systems, , nature-based solutions and resilient infrastructure can help protect lives and reduce the growing .
A child wades through water in Uvira, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, after El Niño-induced torrential rains caused Lake Tanganyika to overflow in 2024. El Niño is one of the world's strongest climate patterns, bringing droughts, floods and extreme weather that damage crops, disrupt markets and drive hunger in vulnerable communities. Because its impacts can be forecast months in advance, governments and humanitarian agencies have a critical window to act before food crises escalate. Through anticipatory action—such as cash assistance, food support, early-warning systems and climate monitoring—the World Food Programme helps families protect their livelihoods and reduce future losses.
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As extreme heat intensifies worldwide, stronger monitoring, , and preparedness are essential to protect health and vulnerable communities.
In a special address at London Climate Action Week, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, draws on the latest scientific evidence to show how the worsening climate crisis and growing energy insecurity are rooted in continued fossil fuels dependence. He outlines a clear pathway to accelerate the transition to a more secure, resilient and sustainable energy future: one powered by renewable energy, strengthened international cooperation, and science-based action.
Extreme heat is one of the most urgent and fast-growing climate challenges facing cities today. Around the world, urban areas are experiencing more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves, affecting health, infrastructure, and daily life. Through the , cities are coming together to share solutions, strengthen resilience, and protect communities. From expanding green spaces and cooling public areas to improving urban design and early warning systems, cities are exploring people-centred approaches to stay safe in a warming world. Learn how cities are shaping a more resilient future.