The Australian government on Monday began its legal challenge to a Federal Court's landmark decision that it has a duty of care to protect children from future personal injury caused by climate change, according to media reports.

In May, Anjali Sharma, a 17-year-old high-school student of Indian origin from Melbourne and seven other teenage environmentalists, led the legal battle against the Australian government.

Sharma and the group had argued the continued emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere would drive intense bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones and leave them vulnerable to injury, sickness, economic loss and even death towards the end of this century, news.com.au reported.

They urged the court to prevent Environment Minister Sussan Ley from approving a proposal to expand the Vickery coal mine in northern New South Wales.

In his ruling, Justice Mordecai Bromberg approved the extension of the coal mine project.

However, he did find that the minister had "a duty to take reasonable care to avoid causing personal injury" to children when she decided on the project extension under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC Act), a report in news.com.au said.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-can-nuclear-power-solve-climate-change-420544/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The ruling was heralded as a significant win for the teenagers and the group of climate activists around the world.

Ley has since given the nod for the mine's expansion.

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For Sharma, it was the concern for the environment, her family and future generations, which fuelled her legal charge against the Australian government, a Sydney Morning Herald report said. Born in India, Sharma and her family moved to Australia when she was barely 10-months-old. Her relatives are farmers, who hail from Lucknow.

Growing up, she had heard about global warming and decided to seek more information by watching Youtube videos, the report said.

"Growing up in Australia I consider myself really fortunate," she said. "I got an education that helped me make sense of what was happening," Sharma was quoted as saying in the report.

On Monday, Ley's lawyers told the Federal Court that the EPBC Act was not an appropriate vehicle for the "novel duty of care" as identified by Justice Bromberg.

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They argued that Justice Bromberg had committed a mistake when he expanded the object of the act to not just be about protecting parts of the environment, but about protecting the interests of human beings living in the environment.

Her lawyers also contended that the duty of care is "incoherent" with the EPBC Act and distorts her capacity as minister.

They also claimed that there was no evidence that the additional coal from the expanded mine would increase the risk of the global temperature increasing beyond 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures, according to the Associated Press.

"We will proudly defend the historic ruling that all Australian children are owed a duty of care by our government, and fight to protect my generation from the increasing risks of climate change," Ms Sharma was quoted as saying in a statement by the Associated Press.

The eight young environmentalists were congratulated over the May ruling by Greta Thunberg, who rose to the forefront of the youth climate movement after she protested inaction by going on strike from school.

"This is a huge win for the whole climate movement. A big congratulations to the brave Australian teenagers who have achieved this," the 18-year-old Swedish environmentalist tweeted.

"Of course the action needed is still nowhere in sight, but these court cases are symbolic breaking points that could have huge snowball effects," Ms Thunberg had said then.

Australia has come under growing international criticism for failing to set more ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions.

Last week, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison had agreed to attend next month's climate conference in Glasgow, but his government colleagues are yet to approve a commitment to net zero.

The Australian government on Monday began its legal challenge to a Federal Court's landmark decision that it has a duty of care to protect children from future personal injury caused by climate change, according to media reports.

The Australian government on Monday began its legal challenge to a Federal Court's landmark decision that it has a duty of care to protect children from future personal injury caused by climate change, according to media reports. In May, Anjali Sharma, a 17-year-old high-school student of Indian origin from Melbourne and seven other teenage environmentalists, led the legal battle against the Australian government. Sharma and the group had argued the continued emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere would drive intense bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones and leave them vulnerable to injury, sickness, economic loss and even death towards the end of this century, news.com.au reported. They urged the court to prevent Environment Minister Sussan Ley from approving a proposal to expand the Vickery coal mine in northern New South Wales. In his ruling, Justice Mordecai Bromberg approved the extension of the coal mine project. However, he did find that the minister had "a duty to take reasonable care to avoid causing personal injury" to children when she decided on the project extension under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC Act), a report in news.com.au said. Watch The ruling was heralded as a significant win for the teenagers and the group of climate activists around the world. Ley has since given the nod for the mine's expansion. Also read | Thirty years of 'blah blah blah': Greta Thunberg slams climate talks bureaucracy For Sharma, it was the concern for the environment, her family and future generations, which fuelled her legal charge against the Australian government, a Sydney Morning Herald report said. Born in India, Sharma and her family moved to Australia when she was barely 10-months-old. Her relatives are farmers, who hail from Lucknow. Growing up, she had heard about global warming and decided to seek more information by watching Youtube videos, the report said. "Growing up in Australia I consider myself really fortunate," she said. "I got an education that helped me make sense of what was happening," Sharma was quoted as saying in the report. On Monday, Ley's lawyers told the Federal Court that the EPBC Act was not an appropriate vehicle for the "novel duty of care" as identified by Justice Bromberg. Also read | Greta Thunberg to skip COP26 over unfair vaccine rollouts They argued that Justice Bromberg had committed a mistake when he expanded the object of the act to not just be about protecting parts of the environment, but about protecting the interests of human beings living in the environment. Her lawyers also contended that the duty of care is "incoherent" with the EPBC Act and distorts her capacity as minister. They also claimed that there was no evidence that the additional coal from the expanded mine would increase the risk of the global temperature increasing beyond 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures, according to the Associated Press. "We will proudly defend the historic ruling that all Australian children are owed a duty of care by our government, and fight to protect my generation from the increasing risks of climate change," Ms Sharma was quoted as saying in a statement by the Associated Press. The eight young environmentalists were congratulated over the May ruling by Greta Thunberg, who rose to the forefront of the youth climate movement after she protested inaction by going on strike from school. "This is a huge win for the whole climate movement. A big congratulations to the brave Australian teenagers who have achieved this," the 18-year-old Swedish environmentalist tweeted. "Of course the action needed is still nowhere in sight, but these court cases are symbolic breaking points that could have huge snowball effects," Ms Thunberg had said then. Australia has come under growing international criticism for failing to set more ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions. Last week, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison had agreed to attend next month's climate conference in Glasgow, but his government colleagues are yet to approve a commitment to net zero.

Australian govt takes up legal battle against Indian-origin teen’s climate change court case

With the global temperature rising Russia stands to pay a higher cost than most other nations, and the telltale signs are all too visible now.

15 million homes in Russia at risk due to ice melt

By the year 2060, Indonesia has vowed to become a carbon neutral nation. In fact, it has announced that it will stop building new coal fired plants by as early as the year 2023.

Indonesia vows to become carbon neutral nation

Companies that spent millions of pounds to sponsor the Cop26 climate summit have condemned it as “mismanaged” and “very last minute."

The sponsors include some of Britain’s biggest companies and they have raised formal complaints blaming “very inexperienced” civil servants for delayed decisions, poor communication and a breakdown in relations between the organisers and firm.

Ten major sponsors of the summit include Sky, energy giants Hitachi, National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE, US tech titan Microsoft, and FTSE companies GSK, NatWest, Reckitt, Sainsbury’s and Unilever.&nbsp;

According to a report by The Guardian, a letter has been sent to the organisers, which is written by broadcaster Sky and co-signed by senior leaders from other Cop26 sponsors.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/women-must-play-a-greater-role-at-the-cop26-summit-say-rights-groups-415781">Also read |&nbsp;Women must play a greater role at the Cop26 summit, say rights groups</a>

This has raised concerns with them over various problems. Unilever has denied signing the letter penned by Sky. Other partners include the carmaker Jaguar Land Rover and the furniture retailer Ikea.

Organisers of the Cop26 promised sponsors an “outstanding opportunity” and “unique benefits” in exchange for their support.&nbsp;

This will give them a chance to promote their brands at the conference “green zone” exhibition space and the participation of government ministers at their events.

One source, employed by a Cop26 sponsor said that “the biggest frustration” was the lack of information about how the event will run.&nbsp;

“They had an extra year to prepare for Cop due to Covid, but it doesn’t feel like this time was used to make better progress. Everything feels very last minute," the source was quoted by The Guardian.

There have been complaints about unmet expectations, and deepening concerns over delays to the green zone plans.&nbsp;

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They have also raised complaints that ministers have not always been available for their events, as agreed as part of the sponsor deals.

Energy company sponsors, Hitachi, National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE were particularly frustrated because they were under the impression that no other energy brands would feature at Cop26.&nbsp;

However, the “blue zone”, which is organised by the UN, will include rival brands.

In response, a Cop26 spokesperson has said the organisers were “working closely” with sponsors. This is expected to increase the value-for-money for taxpayers, and reduce the overall financial cost of Cop26.

Companies that spent millions of pounds to sponsor the Cop26 climate summit have condemned it as “mismanaged” and “very last minute." The sponsors include some of Britain’s biggest companies and they have raised formal complaints blaming “very inexperienced” civil servants for delayed decisions, poor communication and a breakdown in relations between the organisers and firm.

Companies that spent millions of pounds to sponsor the Cop26 climate summit have condemned it as “mismanaged” and “very last minute." The sponsors include some of Britain’s biggest companies and they have raised formal complaints blaming “very inexperienced” civil servants for delayed decisions, poor communication and a breakdown in relations between the organisers and firm. Ten major sponsors of the summit include Sky, energy giants Hitachi, National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE, US tech titan Microsoft, and FTSE companies GSK, NatWest, Reckitt, Sainsbury’s and Unilever. According to a report by The Guardian, a letter has been sent to the organisers, which is written by broadcaster Sky and co-signed by senior leaders from other Cop26 sponsors. Also read | Women must play a greater role at the Cop26 summit, say rights groups This has raised concerns with them over various problems. Unilever has denied signing the letter penned by Sky. Other partners include the carmaker Jaguar Land Rover and the furniture retailer Ikea. Organisers of the Cop26 promised sponsors an “outstanding opportunity” and “unique benefits” in exchange for their support. This will give them a chance to promote their brands at the conference “green zone” exhibition space and the participation of government ministers at their events. One source, employed by a Cop26 sponsor said that “the biggest frustration” was the lack of information about how the event will run. “They had an extra year to prepare for Cop due to Covid, but it doesn’t feel like this time was used to make better progress. Everything feels very last minute," the source was quoted by The Guardian. There have been complaints about unmet expectations, and deepening concerns over delays to the green zone plans. Also read | COP26: UK to push plan to halt and reverse global deforestation by 2030 They have also raised complaints that ministers have not always been available for their events, as agreed as part of the sponsor deals. Energy company sponsors, Hitachi, National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE were particularly frustrated because they were under the impression that no other energy brands would feature at Cop26. However, the “blue zone”, which is organised by the UN, will include rival brands. In response, a Cop26 spokesperson has said the organisers were “working closely” with sponsors. This is expected to increase the value-for-money for taxpayers, and reduce the overall financial cost of Cop26.

COP26: Sponsors deem the climate summit as ‘mismanaged’ and 'very last minute'

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg says the upcoming climate talks in Glasgow billed as humanity's last chance to avoid catastrophic global warming were unlikely to "lead to big changes." Thunberg has urged activists to keep on "pushing" for real change.

Greta Thunberg says upcoming climate talks in Glasgow unlikely to "lead to big changes"

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer.

It is unclear how the USD100 billion per year commitment given in the wake of COP21 has been extended, Sitharaman said after the conclusion of her meetings at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here.

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"From my side of course one of the issues that I did raise and it is also something which many people do take cognisance of is we actually don't know if there were any measures given to measure if money spent on a particular project by somebody will be part of that USD100 billion," Sitharaman said.

"So, what constitutes USD100 billion&nbsp;How do we measure if actually USD100 billion has been given or only some of them has been given&nbsp;So, not just that USD100 billion per year is coming or not but how do we measure that it is indeed coming or not, is also one of the issues," she said.

Sitharaman said several participants both in the IMF and World Bank meetings highlighted that issue. 
"So funding is continuing to be a question of worry for many countries, as much as even the transfer of technology," she said.

"The issue is, again, as much as it is in the fund, do we know which technology that we are asking for transfer&nbsp;Do we know which are those things which have to be considered for the debate and transfer of technology," she said.

Responding to a question, the finance minister asserted that her view on this was not a reflection of her dissatisfaction.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-has-faced-covid-crisis-with-resilience-and-fortitude-sitharaman-420857">&nbsp;India has faced Covid crisis with resilience and fortitude: Sitharaman</a>

"I'm not stating it's a statement of this dissatisfaction because India's commitments are fulfilled. There are only six countries which kept the nationally determined commitments.

India's more than done it, and also submitted a report to show that this is what we have done. What had to be achieved by 2030, we have achieved already almost achieved, and now we've scaled up our expectations on renewable, we are touching 450 GW,&nbsp;she said.

"So, I don't think I can be even for a moment, disappointed or dissatisfied, clearly from our side. We are moving with our own resources in fulfilling our commitments," the minister said. 
There are things to be done, she acknowledged.

"It is reminding, because the level at which many countries are, the levels of development at which each one has to be able to comply with an even a nationally determined commitment itself means a lot," she said.

Sitharaman also expressed concern over growing oil prices.

"So even as I'm putting more money into renewables and trying to be cleaner in the energy that we produce, this price rise is something which is going to be of worry to me," she said.

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Responding to a question, the finance minister said that sustainable debt funding was discussed during the meetings.

In addition to her meetings at the IMF and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements.

Sitharaman has concluded the Washington DC-leg of her US trip.

From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home.&nbsp;She started her week-long trip from Boston.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here said climate financing continues to be an area of worry as she flagged concerns over funding mechanism and technology transfer. It is unclear how the USD100 billion per year commitment given in the wake of COP21 has been extended, Sitharaman said after the conclusion of her meetings at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here. Also Read | Make India the world's biggest military power: PM Modi inaugurates seven new State-run defence firms "From my side of course one of the issues that I did raise and it is also something which many people do take cognisance of is we actually don't know if there were any measures given to measure if money spent on a particular project by somebody will be part of that USD100 billion," Sitharaman said. "So, what constitutes USD100 billion How do we measure if actually USD100 billion has been given or only some of them has been given So, not just that USD100 billion per year is coming or not but how do we measure that it is indeed coming or not, is also one of the issues," she said. Sitharaman said several participants both in the IMF and World Bank meetings highlighted that issue. "So funding is continuing to be a question of worry for many countries, as much as even the transfer of technology," she said. "The issue is, again, as much as it is in the fund, do we know which technology that we are asking for transfer Do we know which are those things which have to be considered for the debate and transfer of technology," she said. Responding to a question, the finance minister asserted that her view on this was not a reflection of her dissatisfaction. Also Read | India has faced Covid crisis with resilience and fortitude: Sitharaman "I'm not stating it's a statement of this dissatisfaction because India's commitments are fulfilled. There are only six countries which kept the nationally determined commitments. India's more than done it, and also submitted a report to show that this is what we have done. What had to be achieved by 2030, we have achieved already almost achieved, and now we've scaled up our expectations on renewable, we are touching 450 GW, she said. "So, I don't think I can be even for a moment, disappointed or dissatisfied, clearly from our side. We are moving with our own resources in fulfilling our commitments," the minister said. There are things to be done, she acknowledged. "It is reminding, because the level at which many countries are, the levels of development at which each one has to be able to comply with an even a nationally determined commitment itself means a lot," she said. Sitharaman also expressed concern over growing oil prices. "So even as I'm putting more money into renewables and trying to be cleaner in the energy that we produce, this price rise is something which is going to be of worry to me," she said. Also Read | Nihang group confesses to murder of man at Singhu Border Responding to a question, the finance minister said that sustainable debt funding was discussed during the meetings. In addition to her meetings at the IMF and the World Bank, Sitharaman had more than 25 bilateral engagements. Sitharaman has concluded the Washington DC-leg of her US trip. From here, she will go to New York for an interactive session with the business community before flying back home. She started her week-long trip from Boston.

Climate financing area of worry, says India's finance minister Sitharaman

Joe Biden’s administration recently issued a 40-page report warning that the climate crisis “poses serious and systemic risks to the US economy and financial system." It further said that setting out steps for action as “climate impacts are already affecting American jobs, homes, families’ hard-earned savings, and businesses”.

As a part of the new plan, the federal government will weigh up climate risks for employee benefit and retirement plan investments. They will also incorporate climate disasters into lending and budgeting decisions. The building standards will also be revised for homes at risk of flooding.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden, in the report, said, "The intensifying impacts of climate change present physical risk to assets, publicly traded securities, private investments, and companies."

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He further added that the climate crisis “threatens the competitiveness of US companies and markets, the life savings and pensions of US workers and families, and the ability of US financial institutions to serve communities."

The new White House plan has been welcomed by environmental groups .

Gina McCarthy, Biden’s top climate advisor, said that the climate crisis “poses a risk to our economy and to the lives and livelihoods of Americans, and we must act now”.&nbsp;

McCarthy further added, “This roadmap isn’t just about protecting our financial system – it’s about protecting people, their paychecks and their prosperity.”

The report comes in as the crucial Cop26 global climate talks are due to begin in Scotland at the end of the month.

Joe Biden’s administration recently issued a 40-page report warning that the climate crisis “poses serious and systemic risks to the US economy and financial system.

Joe Biden’s administration recently issued a 40-page report warning that the climate crisis “poses serious and systemic risks to the US economy and financial system." It further said that setting out steps for action as “climate impacts are already affecting American jobs, homes, families’ hard-earned savings, and businesses”. As a part of the new plan, the federal government will weigh up climate risks for employee benefit and retirement plan investments. They will also incorporate climate disasters into lending and budgeting decisions. The building standards will also be revised for homes at risk of flooding. US President Joe Biden, in the report, said, "The intensifying impacts of climate change present physical risk to assets, publicly traded securities, private investments, and companies." Also read | COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act' He further added that the climate crisis “threatens the competitiveness of US companies and markets, the life savings and pensions of US workers and families, and the ability of US financial institutions to serve communities." The new White House plan has been welcomed by environmental groups . Gina McCarthy, Biden’s top climate advisor, said that the climate crisis “poses a risk to our economy and to the lives and livelihoods of Americans, and we must act now”. McCarthy further added, “This roadmap isn’t just about protecting our financial system – it’s about protecting people, their paychecks and their prosperity.” The report comes in as the crucial Cop26 global climate talks are due to begin in Scotland at the end of the month.

Climate crisis poses ‘serious risks’ to US economy, warns 40-page report

In a landmark ruling a French court has ordered the government to fulfill its commitments on climate change. Authorities have been asked to necessary steps to repair ecological damage and cut the emissions of greenhouse gases.

French court orders government to fulfill commitments on climate change

Carbon dioxide is one of the major greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. But what if Co2 is prevented from being released into the atmosphere? There is a method for that which is called carbon capture. Our next report tells you more.

What's carbon capture, how is Co2 prevented from being released into atmosphere?

Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine'

An Italian research centre is testing how organisms and objects react in extreme climate conditions. The centre is able to generate unusual temperatures and weathers which could be used to predict how climate change is affecting the natural world.

extreme climate conditions recreated in Italy's lab

A UN&nbsp;panel said it could not immediately rule on a complaint by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and others that state inaction on climate change violates children's rights, adding that they should have taken the case to national courts first.

The complaint was filed with the UN&nbsp;Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2019&nbsp;and the 18-member panel has been conducting hearings and deliberating since.

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The 15 activists, aged between eight and 17 at the time, had argued that France, Turkey, Brazil, Germany and Argentina had known about the risk of climate change for decades but failed to curb their carbon emissions.

"I have no doubt this judgment will haunt the committee in the future," said US&nbsp;petitioner Alexandria Villasenor said of Monday's judgment. "When the climate disasters are even more severe than they are now, the committee will severely regret not doing the right thing when they had the chance."

There was no immediate comment from Thunberg.

The case is one of a growing number of climate litigation cases that invoke human rights and is seen as setting an important precedent.

The committee, made up of 18 independent human rights experts, concluded that a "sufficient causal link" had been established between the significant harm allegedly suffered by the children and the acts or omissions of the five states.

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However, it accepted the arguments of the five countries that the children should have tried to bring cases to their national courts first.

"You were successful on some aspects but not on others," the committee told the youth activists in a letter, in which it saluted their "courage and determination".

"We hope that you will be empowered by the positive aspects of this decision, and that you will continue to act in your own countries and regions and internationally to fight for justice on climate change," it said.

&nbsp;National Courts

Lawyers for the children said that they would go to national courts though they said this was likely to be time-consuming and fruitless.

"In effect, the Committee instructed the youth to squander years waiting for inevitable dismissal," a joint statement from lawyers Hausfeld and Earthjustice issued late on Monday said.

One important detail of the ruling was that the committee found that it can deal with cases even if the harmful effects of one country's emissions are felt by children in another country.

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Margaretha Wewerinke, an international lawyer focused on environmental justice,said the case had "broken new ground in climate litigation and will no doubt inform future efforts to protect rights against climate change".

The activists come from 12 countries: Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Palau, Marshall Islands, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Tunisia and the United States.

The committee monitors adherence of state parties to a 1989 convention which declared the unassailable civil, economic, political and cultural rights of children. The convention has 196 state parties. 
A smaller number of countries, 48, have agreed to a protocol allowing children to seek redress under the convention and these include the five countries that are respondents in the case.

A UN panel said it could not immediately rule on a complaint by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and others that state inaction on climate change violates children's rights, adding that they should have taken the case to national courts first.

A UN panel said it could not immediately rule on a complaint by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and others that state inaction on climate change violates children's rights, adding that they should have taken the case to national courts first. The complaint was filed with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2019 and the 18-member panel has been conducting hearings and deliberating since. Also Read | Climate change set to worsen resource degradation, conflict, report says The 15 activists, aged between eight and 17 at the time, had argued that France, Turkey, Brazil, Germany and Argentina had known about the risk of climate change for decades but failed to curb their carbon emissions. "I have no doubt this judgment will haunt the committee in the future," said US petitioner Alexandria Villasenor said of Monday's judgment. "When the climate disasters are even more severe than they are now, the committee will severely regret not doing the right thing when they had the chance." There was no immediate comment from Thunberg. The case is one of a growing number of climate litigation cases that invoke human rights and is seen as setting an important precedent. The committee, made up of 18 independent human rights experts, concluded that a "sufficient causal link" had been established between the significant harm allegedly suffered by the children and the acts or omissions of the five states. Also Read | Johnson cautious over fulfilling UN climate fund pledges However, it accepted the arguments of the five countries that the children should have tried to bring cases to their national courts first. "You were successful on some aspects but not on others," the committee told the youth activists in a letter, in which it saluted their "courage and determination". "We hope that you will be empowered by the positive aspects of this decision, and that you will continue to act in your own countries and regions and internationally to fight for justice on climate change," it said. National Courts Lawyers for the children said that they would go to national courts though they said this was likely to be time-consuming and fruitless. "In effect, the Committee instructed the youth to squander years waiting for inevitable dismissal," a joint statement from lawyers Hausfeld and Earthjustice issued late on Monday said. One important detail of the ruling was that the committee found that it can deal with cases even if the harmful effects of one country's emissions are felt by children in another country. Also Read | As Taliban prepares to meet EU representatives, UN chief slams Taliban over 'broken promises' Margaretha Wewerinke, an international lawyer focused on environmental justice,said the case had "broken new ground in climate litigation and will no doubt inform future efforts to protect rights against climate change". The activists come from 12 countries: Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Palau, Marshall Islands, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Tunisia and the United States. The committee monitors adherence of state parties to a 1989 convention which declared the unassailable civil, economic, political and cultural rights of children. The convention has 196 state parties. A smaller number of countries, 48, have agreed to a protocol allowing children to seek redress under the convention and these include the five countries that are respondents in the case.

UN panel says it can't rule on climate case brought by Thunberg

A vicious cycle linking the depletion of natural resources with violent conflict may have gone past the point of no return in parts of the world and is likely to be exacerbated by climate change, a report said on Thursday.

Food insecurity, lack of water and the impact of natural disasters, combined with high population growth, are stoking conflict and displacing people in vulnerable areas, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) think-tank said.

IEP uses data from the United Nations and other sources to predict the countries and regions most at risk in its "Ecological Threat Register".

Serge Stroobants, IEP director for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa said the report identified 30 "hotspot" countries - home to 1.26 billion people - as facing most risks.

This is based on three criteria relating to scarcity of resources, and five focusing on disasters including floods, droughts and rising temperatures.

"We don't even need climate change to see potential system collapse, just the impact of those eight ecological threats can lead to this - of course climate change is reinforcing it," Stroobants said.

Afghanistan gets the worst score on the report, which says its ongoing conflict has damaged its ability to cope with risks to water and food supplies, climate change, and alternating floods and droughts.

Conflict in turn leads to further resource degradation, according to the findings.

Six seminars including governments, military institutions and development groups last year returned the message that "it is unlikely that the international community will reverse the vicious cycles in some parts of the world", IEP said.

This is particularly the case in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, which has seen more and worsening conflicts over the last decade, it said.

"With tensions already escalating, it can only be expected that climate change will have an amplifying effect on many of these issues," the report said.

A vicious cycle linking the depletion of natural resources with violent conflict may have gone past the point of no return in parts of the world and is likely to be exacerbated by climate change, a report said on Thursday.

A vicious cycle linking the depletion of natural resources with violent conflict may have gone past the point of no return in parts of the world and is likely to be exacerbated by climate change, a report said on Thursday. Food insecurity, lack of water and the impact of natural disasters, combined with high population growth, are stoking conflict and displacing people in vulnerable areas, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) think-tank said. IEP uses data from the United Nations and other sources to predict the countries and regions most at risk in its "Ecological Threat Register". Serge Stroobants, IEP director for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa said the report identified 30 "hotspot" countries - home to 1.26 billion people - as facing most risks. This is based on three criteria relating to scarcity of resources, and five focusing on disasters including floods, droughts and rising temperatures. "We don't even need climate change to see potential system collapse, just the impact of those eight ecological threats can lead to this - of course climate change is reinforcing it," Stroobants said. Afghanistan gets the worst score on the report, which says its ongoing conflict has damaged its ability to cope with risks to water and food supplies, climate change, and alternating floods and droughts. Conflict in turn leads to further resource degradation, according to the findings. Six seminars including governments, military institutions and development groups last year returned the message that "it is unlikely that the international community will reverse the vicious cycles in some parts of the world", IEP said. This is particularly the case in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, which has seen more and worsening conflicts over the last decade, it said. "With tensions already escalating, it can only be expected that climate change will have an amplifying effect on many of these issues," the report said.

Climate change set to worsen resource degradation, conflict, report says

Google on Wednesday said it is tweaking widely used tools for getting around, shopping and more to let users factor climate change into daily routines.

Google is among the Big Tech firms that have made pledges and investments to reduce the environmental impact of their operations with moves such as making power-hungry data centers carbon neutral.

New features unveiled on Wednesday provide users with ways to help in the effort, whether it be driving routes that result in less exhaust being spewed from cars or shopping online for energy efficient appliances.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-ends-work-on-its-plex-project-even-after-financial-markets-heat-up-417518">&nbsp;Google ends work on its Plex project even after financial markets heat up</a>

"In all these efforts, our goal is to make the sustainable choice an easier choice," Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said while briefing journalists on the latest features.

Artificial intelligence was put to work in Google's free Maps service in the United States to show people the most fuel efficient routes to destinations even if they are not the quickest.

"It defaults to the route that uses less fuel when the estimated time of arrival is similar," Pichai said.

"We believe the feature will have the same impact in the next year as taking over 200,000 cars off the road."

The feature is to be rolled out in Europe in 2022.

Google has also started work on a project to use AI to optimize the efficiency of traffic in cities to reduce time vehicles spend idling at intersections.

Carbon dioxide emission information is being added to a Flights service for booking travel by air.

"We're putting these numbers in context by labeling flights that have significantly higher emissions, and adding a green badge to flights with significantly lower emissions," Google said in a post.

The metrics will also show how much more CO2 is attributed to business or first-class seats, which give passengers more room.

In coming months, Google will start adding details about how eco-friendly hotels are so people can opt for lodging that is kinder to the planet.

Google moves include weaving environmental impact information into its services for financial investing or shopping for appliances, and providing more insights into cost-benefits of electric vehicles.

"Individually, these choices might feel small but when you multiply them together across our products, they equal big transformations for the planet," Pichai said.

"It's going to take all of that to avert the worst consequences of climate change and there's no time to waste."

Google on Wednesday said it is tweaking widely used tools for getting around, shopping and more to let users factor climate change into daily routines. Google is among the Big Tech firms that have made pledges and investments to reduce the environmental impact of their operations with moves such as making power-hungry data centers carbon neutral.

Google on Wednesday said it is tweaking widely used tools for getting around, shopping and more to let users factor climate change into daily routines. Google is among the Big Tech firms that have made pledges and investments to reduce the environmental impact of their operations with moves such as making power-hungry data centers carbon neutral. New features unveiled on Wednesday provide users with ways to help in the effort, whether it be driving routes that result in less exhaust being spewed from cars or shopping online for energy efficient appliances. Also Read | Google ends work on its Plex project even after financial markets heat up "In all these efforts, our goal is to make the sustainable choice an easier choice," Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said while briefing journalists on the latest features. Artificial intelligence was put to work in Google's free Maps service in the United States to show people the most fuel efficient routes to destinations even if they are not the quickest. "It defaults to the route that uses less fuel when the estimated time of arrival is similar," Pichai said. "We believe the feature will have the same impact in the next year as taking over 200,000 cars off the road." The feature is to be rolled out in Europe in 2022. Google has also started work on a project to use AI to optimize the efficiency of traffic in cities to reduce time vehicles spend idling at intersections. Carbon dioxide emission information is being added to a Flights service for booking travel by air. "We're putting these numbers in context by labeling flights that have significantly higher emissions, and adding a green badge to flights with significantly lower emissions," Google said in a post. The metrics will also show how much more CO2 is attributed to business or first-class seats, which give passengers more room. In coming months, Google will start adding details about how eco-friendly hotels are so people can opt for lodging that is kinder to the planet. Google moves include weaving environmental impact information into its services for financial investing or shopping for appliances, and providing more insights into cost-benefits of electric vehicles. "Individually, these choices might feel small but when you multiply them together across our products, they equal big transformations for the planet," Pichai said. "It's going to take all of that to avert the worst consequences of climate change and there's no time to waste."

Google lets users factor climate change into life

As drought continues to grip California some home owners are investing in technology that can extract water from the air. But Johnson is the proud owner of an air-to-water system, which works like an air conditioner by using coils to chill air, then collect water drops in a basin to purify it.

Climate change mitigation Producing water from air

At this exhibition organized by Extinction Rebellion, a group of environmental activists, artists are looking for new ways to communicate on the eco-climatic crisis, one month before the start of the COP26 Climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland.

Using art to communicate the climate crisis

Governments must step up investment in low-carbon hydrogen to unlock its potential and help the world achieve net zero emissions, with $1.2 trillion needed by 2030, the International Energy Agency said on Monday.

Governments with hydrogen strategies have committed $37 billion so far, while the private sector has announced $300 billion, said the IEA, which advises developed countries on energy policies.

Only three countries, France, Japan and South Korea, had hydrogen strategies in 2019, but 17 do now and 20 others are working on one, the IEA said in its Global Hydrogen Review for 2021.

There are pilot projects to produce steel and chemicals with low-carbon hydrogen, the report noted.

The technology also has potential in other sectors where emissions are difficult to reduce, including long-haul trucking, shipping and aviation, the agency said.

"We have experienced false starts before with hydrogen, so we can't take success for granted," said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.

"But this time, we are seeing exciting progress in making hydrogen cleaner, more affordable and more available for use across different sectors of the economy," he said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-animal-day-2021-conservation-efforts-bring-animals-back-from-extinction-in-wild-418112" hreflang="en">World Animal Day 2021: Conservation efforts bring animals back from extinction in wild</a>

Birol urged governments to "take rapid actions to lower the barriers that are holding low-carbon hydrogen back from faster growth, which will be important if the world is to have a chance of reaching net zero emissions by 2050."&nbsp;

Nearly all hydrogen produced today comes from fossil fuels and releases 900 million tonnes of CO2 emissions -- as much as Britain and Indonesia combined, according to the IEA.

Low-carbon hydrogen requires large amounts of electricity to produce it from water, or the use of carbon-capture technologies if it is to be made from fossil fuels, it said.

"The main obstacle to the extensive use of low-carbon hydrogen is the cost of producing it," the report said.

The report comes as governments prepare for the COP26 climate summit in Scotland next month.

Candidates have until Friday to file their official certificates to contest the polls.

The EU had yet to formally reply to UK proposals made in July to reform the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, he noted.

"But from what I hear, I worry that we will not get one which enables the significant change we need.&nbsp;

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"So I urge the EU to be ambitious. It's no use tinkering around the edges. &nbsp;We need significant change," Frost said.&nbsp;

"But we cannot wait for ever. Without an agreed solution soon, we will need to act, using the Article 16 safeguard mechanism, to address the impact the protocol is having on Northern Ireland."

The protocol formed part of the UK's drawn-out divorce from the EU, and was designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the bloc's single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland.

But pro-UK unionists in Northern Ireland are opposed, arguing that border checks on goods from mainland Great Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales -- effectively creates a border in the Irish Sea, compromising the province's place in the wider UK.

Brussels insists that the protocol is not up for renegotiation, and could trigger trade reprisals should the UK invoke its Article 16, which would suspend the pact owing to extraordinary circumstances.

"That may in the end be the only way to protect our country -- our people, our trade, our territorial integrity, the peace process, and the benefits of this great UK of which we are all part," Frost warned.

Addressing the annual conference of the ruling Conservative party, Brexit minister David Frost said: "The long bad dream of our EU membership is over.

Domagoso, 46, popularly known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, and his running-mate Willie Ong, a doctor with more than 16 million followers on Facebook, filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, reports Xinhua news agency

Governments must step up investment in low-carbon hydrogen to unlock its potential and help the world achieve net zero emissions, with $1.2 trillion needed by 2030, the International Energy Agency said on Monday.

Governments must step up investment in low-carbon hydrogen to unlock its potential and help the world achieve net zero emissions, with $1.2 trillion needed by 2030, the International Energy Agency said on Monday. Governments with hydrogen strategies have committed $37 billion so far, while the private sector has announced $300 billion, said the IEA, which advises developed countries on energy policies. Only three countries, France, Japan and South Korea, had hydrogen strategies in 2019, but 17 do now and 20 others are working on one, the IEA said in its Global Hydrogen Review for 2021. There are pilot projects to produce steel and chemicals with low-carbon hydrogen, the report noted. The technology also has potential in other sectors where emissions are difficult to reduce, including long-haul trucking, shipping and aviation, the agency said. "We have experienced false starts before with hydrogen, so we can't take success for granted," said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. "But this time, we are seeing exciting progress in making hydrogen cleaner, more affordable and more available for use across different sectors of the economy," he said. Also Read: World Animal Day 2021: Conservation efforts bring animals back from extinction in wild Birol urged governments to "take rapid actions to lower the barriers that are holding low-carbon hydrogen back from faster growth, which will be important if the world is to have a chance of reaching net zero emissions by 2050." Nearly all hydrogen produced today comes from fossil fuels and releases 900 million tonnes of CO2 emissions -- as much as Britain and Indonesia combined, according to the IEA. Low-carbon hydrogen requires large amounts of electricity to produce it from water, or the use of carbon-capture technologies if it is to be made from fossil fuels, it said. "The main obstacle to the extensive use of low-carbon hydrogen is the cost of producing it," the report said. The report comes as governments prepare for the COP26 climate summit in Scotland next month. Candidates have until Friday to file their official certificates to contest the polls. The EU had yet to formally reply to UK proposals made in July to reform the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, he noted. "But from what I hear, I worry that we will not get one which enables the significant change we need. Also Read: Oil spill due to pipeline leak hits California shores "So I urge the EU to be ambitious. It's no use tinkering around the edges. We need significant change," Frost said. "But we cannot wait for ever. Without an agreed solution soon, we will need to act, using the Article 16 safeguard mechanism, to address the impact the protocol is having on Northern Ireland." The protocol formed part of the UK's drawn-out divorce from the EU, and was designed to prevent unchecked goods heading into the bloc's single market via the UK's only land border with the EU to Ireland. But pro-UK unionists in Northern Ireland are opposed, arguing that border checks on goods from mainland Great Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales -- effectively creates a border in the Irish Sea, compromising the province's place in the wider UK. Brussels insists that the protocol is not up for renegotiation, and could trigger trade reprisals should the UK invoke its Article 16, which would suspend the pact owing to extraordinary circumstances. "That may in the end be the only way to protect our country -- our people, our trade, our territorial integrity, the peace process, and the benefits of this great UK of which we are all part," Frost warned. Addressing the annual conference of the ruling Conservative party, Brexit minister David Frost said: "The long bad dream of our EU membership is over. Domagoso, 46, popularly known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, and his running-mate Willie Ong, a doctor with more than 16 million followers on Facebook, filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, reports Xinhua news agency

Hydrogen needs $1.2 tn for zero emissions goal: IEA

In her speech ahead of the Cop26 climate conference, Queen Elizabeth urged Scotland’s MSPs to tackle climate change and “help create a better, healthier future." She also highlighted the “deep and abiding affection” and happy memories she and the late Duke of Edinburgh shared of Scotland.

The queen was joined by Prince Charles and his wife Camila. Both of them are known as Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they are in Scotland. She told told MSPs that as the country emerged from the “adverse and uncertain times” of the pandemic.

She said, "Next month, I will be attending Cop26 events in Glasgow. The eyes of the world will be on the United Kingdom – and Scotland in particular – as leaders come together to address the challenges of climate change."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-queen-elizabeth-marks-start-of-scottish-parliament-session-417673">Also read |&nbsp;UK's Queen Elizabeth marks start of Scottish Parliament session</a>

“There is a key role for the Scottish parliament, as with all parliaments, to help create a better, healthier future for us all, and to engage with the people they represent – especially our young people.”

Speaking at Holyrood for the first time since Prince Philip’s death, the Queen added said,&nbsp;“Today is also a day when we can celebrate those who have made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of other people in Scotland, locally or nationally during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She marked the start of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday.

The queen extended her "warmest and good wishes" to the members of Scottish Parliament.

Several Members of the Scottish Parliament did not applaud to the queen's speech. Many in Scotland want to leave the United Kingdom to be an independent country and rejoin the European Union.

Following the opening ceremony, the Queen and The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay were expected to attend a reception in the Main Hall.

In her speech ahead of the Cop26 climate conference, Queen Elizabeth urged Scotland’s MSPs to tackle climate change and “help create a better, healthier future." She also highlighted the “deep and abiding affection” and happy memories she and the late Duke of Edinburgh shared of Scotland.

In her speech ahead of the Cop26 climate conference, Queen Elizabeth urged Scotland’s MSPs to tackle climate change and “help create a better, healthier future." She also highlighted the “deep and abiding affection” and happy memories she and the late Duke of Edinburgh shared of Scotland. The queen was joined by Prince Charles and his wife Camila. Both of them are known as Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they are in Scotland. She told told MSPs that as the country emerged from the “adverse and uncertain times” of the pandemic. She said, "Next month, I will be attending Cop26 events in Glasgow. The eyes of the world will be on the United Kingdom – and Scotland in particular – as leaders come together to address the challenges of climate change." Also read | UK's Queen Elizabeth marks start of Scottish Parliament session “There is a key role for the Scottish parliament, as with all parliaments, to help create a better, healthier future for us all, and to engage with the people they represent – especially our young people.” Speaking at Holyrood for the first time since Prince Philip’s death, the Queen added said, “Today is also a day when we can celebrate those who have made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of other people in Scotland, locally or nationally during the Covid-19 pandemic. She marked the start of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday. The queen extended her "warmest and good wishes" to the members of Scottish Parliament. Several Members of the Scottish Parliament did not applaud to the queen's speech. Many in Scotland want to leave the United Kingdom to be an independent country and rejoin the European Union. Following the opening ceremony, the Queen and The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay were expected to attend a reception in the Main Hall.

Queen Elizabeth urges Scottish parliament to tackle climate change

Greta Thunberg has mocked the climate goals set by world leaders, saying there has been no action so far. Is radical activism hurting the world's climate strategy? Or do world leaders deserve this scolding? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: "Blah, blah, blah": Greta mocks climate goals

With high unemployment and the island's coral reefs eroding in parts of Tonga island due to increased ocean temperatures, a project teaching locals how to build canoes is expected to help them adapt to the changing environment.

Coral reefs erode on Tonga island, carving canoes could be one solution

Kurupi Itaata, a new dinosaur species has been discovered in Brazil. Reports claim that the Kurupi Itaata roamed the earth 70 million years ago; watch this bulletin for more information.

Kurupi Itaata- A New dinosaur species discovered in Brazil

Death's come knocking a last time for the splendid ivory-billed woodpecker and 22 more birds, fish and other species: The US government on Wednesday declared them extinct.

It's a rare move for wildlife officials to give up hope on a plant or animal, but government scientists say they've exhausted to find these 23. And they warn climate change, on top of other pressures, could make such disappearances more common as a warming planet adds to the dangers facing imperiled plants and wildlife.

The ivory-billed woodpecker was perhaps the best known species the US Fish and Wildlife Service declared extinct. The woodpecker went out stubbornly and with fanfare, making unconfirmed appearances in recent decades that ignited a frenzy of ultimately fruitless searches in the swamps of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-vitamin-a-help-in-treating-covid-resulted-loss-of-smell-experts-answer-416845">Can Vitamin A help in treating Covid-resulted loss of smell? Experts answer</a>

"Others such as the flat pigtoe, a freshwater mussel in the southeastern US, were identified in the wild only a few times and never seen again, meaning by the time they got a name they were fading from existence. When I see one of those really rare ones, it's always in the back of my mind that I might be the last one to see this animal again,"&nbsp;said Anthony (Andy) Ford, a US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist in Tennessee who specialises in freshwater mussels.

The factors behind the disappearances vary ? too much development, water pollution, logging, competition from invasive species, birds killed for feathers and animals captured by private collectors. In each case, humans were the ultimate cause.

Another thing they share: All 23 were thought to have at least a slim chance of survival when added to the endangered species list beginning in the 1960s. Only 11 species previously have been removed due to extinction in the almost half-century since the Endangered Species Act was signed into law.

The announcement kicks off a three-month comment period before the species status changes become final.

Around the globe, some 902 species have been documented as extinct. The actual number is thought to be much higher because some are never formally identified, and many scientists warn the earth is in an "extinction crisis" with flora and fauna now disappearing at 1,000 times the historical rate.

It's possible one or more of the 23 species named Wednesday could reappear, several scientists said.

A leading figure in the hunt for the ivory-billed woodpecker said it was premature to call off the effort, after millions of dollars spent on searches and habitat preservation efforts.

Little is gained and much is lost&nbsp;with an extinction declaration, said Cornell University bird biologist John Fitzpatrick, lead author of a 2005 study that claimed the woodpecker had been rediscovered in eastern Arkansas.

A bird this iconic, and this representative of the major old-growth forests of the southeast, keeping it on the list of endangered species keeps attention on it, keeps states thinking about managing habitat on the off chance it still exists,&nbsp;he said.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, a Switzerland-based group that tracks extinctions globally, is not putting the ivory-billed woodpecker into its extinction column because it's possible the birds still exist in Cuba, said the group's Craig Hilton-Taylor.

Hilton-Taylor said there can be unintended but damaging consequences if extinction is declared prematurely. Suddenly the (conservation) money is no longer there, and then suddenly you do drive it to extinction because you stop investing in it," he said.

But wildlife officials said in an analysis released Wednesday that that there have been no definitive sightings of the woodpecker since 1944 and there is no objective evidence&nbsp;of its continued existence.

They said the 23 extinction declarations were driven by a desire to clear a backlog of recommended status changes for species that had not been acted upon for years. They said it would free up resources for on-the-ground conservation efforts for species that still have a chance for recovery.

What's lost when those efforts fail are creatures often uniquely adapted to their environments.

Freshwater mussel species like the ones the government says have gone extinct reproduce by attracting fish with a lure-like appendage, then sending out a cloud of larvae that attach to gills of fish until they've grown enough to drop off and live on their own.

The odds are slim against any freshwater mussel surviving into adulthood&nbsp;a one in a million chance, according to Ford of the wildlife service ? but those that do can live a century or longer.

Hawaii has the most species on the list ? eight woodland birds and one plant. That's in part because the islands have so many plants and animals that many have extremely small ranges and can blink out quickly.

The most recent to go extinct was the teeny po'ouli, a type of bird known as a honeycreeper discovered in 1973.

By the late 1990s just three remained&nbsp;a male and two females. After failures to mate them in the wild, the male was captured for potential breeding and died in 2004. The two females were never seen again.

The fate of Hawaii's birds helped push Duke University extinction expert Stuart Pimm into his field. Despite the grim nature of the government's proposal to move more species into the extinct column, Pimm said the toll would probably have been much higher without the Endangered Species Act.

It's a shame we didn't get to those species in time, but when we do, we are usually able to save species," he said.

Since 1975, 54 species have left the endangered list after recovering, including the bald eagle, brown pelican and most humpback whales.

Climate change is making species recovery harder, bringing drought, floods, wildfires and temperature swings that compound the threats species already faced.

How they are saved also is changing. No longer is the focus on individual species, let alone individual birds. Officials say the broader goal now is to preserve their habitat, which boosts species of all types that live there.

I hope we're up to the challenge,? said biologist Michelle Bogardus with the wildlife service in Hawaii. We don't have the resources to prevent extinctions unilaterally. We have to think proactively about ecosystem health and how do we maintain it, given all these threats

Death's come knocking a last time for the splendid ivory-billed woodpecker and 22 more birds, fish and other species: The US government on Wednesday declared them extinct.

Death's come knocking a last time for the splendid ivory-billed woodpecker and 22 more birds, fish and other species: The US government on Wednesday declared them extinct. It's a rare move for wildlife officials to give up hope on a plant or animal, but government scientists say they've exhausted to find these 23. And they warn climate change, on top of other pressures, could make such disappearances more common as a warming planet adds to the dangers facing imperiled plants and wildlife. The ivory-billed woodpecker was perhaps the best known species the US Fish and Wildlife Service declared extinct. The woodpecker went out stubbornly and with fanfare, making unconfirmed appearances in recent decades that ignited a frenzy of ultimately fruitless searches in the swamps of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. Also read | Can Vitamin A help in treating Covid-resulted loss of smell? Experts answer "Others such as the flat pigtoe, a freshwater mussel in the southeastern US, were identified in the wild only a few times and never seen again, meaning by the time they got a name they were fading from existence. When I see one of those really rare ones, it's always in the back of my mind that I might be the last one to see this animal again," said Anthony (Andy) Ford, a US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist in Tennessee who specialises in freshwater mussels. The factors behind the disappearances vary ? too much development, water pollution, logging, competition from invasive species, birds killed for feathers and animals captured by private collectors. In each case, humans were the ultimate cause. Another thing they share: All 23 were thought to have at least a slim chance of survival when added to the endangered species list beginning in the 1960s. Only 11 species previously have been removed due to extinction in the almost half-century since the Endangered Species Act was signed into law. The announcement kicks off a three-month comment period before the species status changes become final. Around the globe, some 902 species have been documented as extinct. The actual number is thought to be much higher because some are never formally identified, and many scientists warn the earth is in an "extinction crisis" with flora and fauna now disappearing at 1,000 times the historical rate. It's possible one or more of the 23 species named Wednesday could reappear, several scientists said. A leading figure in the hunt for the ivory-billed woodpecker said it was premature to call off the effort, after millions of dollars spent on searches and habitat preservation efforts. Little is gained and much is lost with an extinction declaration, said Cornell University bird biologist John Fitzpatrick, lead author of a 2005 study that claimed the woodpecker had been rediscovered in eastern Arkansas. A bird this iconic, and this representative of the major old-growth forests of the southeast, keeping it on the list of endangered species keeps attention on it, keeps states thinking about managing habitat on the off chance it still exists, he said. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, a Switzerland-based group that tracks extinctions globally, is not putting the ivory-billed woodpecker into its extinction column because it's possible the birds still exist in Cuba, said the group's Craig Hilton-Taylor. Hilton-Taylor said there can be unintended but damaging consequences if extinction is declared prematurely. Suddenly the (conservation) money is no longer there, and then suddenly you do drive it to extinction because you stop investing in it," he said. But wildlife officials said in an analysis released Wednesday that that there have been no definitive sightings of the woodpecker since 1944 and there is no objective evidence of its continued existence. They said the 23 extinction declarations were driven by a desire to clear a backlog of recommended status changes for species that had not been acted upon for years. They said it would free up resources for on-the-ground conservation efforts for species that still have a chance for recovery. What's lost when those efforts fail are creatures often uniquely adapted to their environments. Freshwater mussel species like the ones the government says have gone extinct reproduce by attracting fish with a lure-like appendage, then sending out a cloud of larvae that attach to gills of fish until they've grown enough to drop off and live on their own. The odds are slim against any freshwater mussel surviving into adulthood a one in a million chance, according to Ford of the wildlife service ? but those that do can live a century or longer. Hawaii has the most species on the list ? eight woodland birds and one plant. That's in part because the islands have so many plants and animals that many have extremely small ranges and can blink out quickly. The most recent to go extinct was the teeny po'ouli, a type of bird known as a honeycreeper discovered in 1973. By the late 1990s just three remained a male and two females. After failures to mate them in the wild, the male was captured for potential breeding and died in 2004. The two females were never seen again. The fate of Hawaii's birds helped push Duke University extinction expert Stuart Pimm into his field. Despite the grim nature of the government's proposal to move more species into the extinct column, Pimm said the toll would probably have been much higher without the Endangered Species Act. It's a shame we didn't get to those species in time, but when we do, we are usually able to save species," he said. Since 1975, 54 species have left the endangered list after recovering, including the bald eagle, brown pelican and most humpback whales. Climate change is making species recovery harder, bringing drought, floods, wildfires and temperature swings that compound the threats species already faced. How they are saved also is changing. No longer is the focus on individual species, let alone individual birds. Officials say the broader goal now is to preserve their habitat, which boosts species of all types that live there. I hope we're up to the challenge,? said biologist Michelle Bogardus with the wildlife service in Hawaii. We don't have the resources to prevent extinctions unilaterally. We have to think proactively about ecosystem health and how do we maintain it, given all these threats

US says ivory-billed woodpecker, 22 other species extinct

The Portuguese port receives sunshine throughout the year, making it the perfect destination for renewable sources of energy. In fact, solar parks and wind turbines generates nearly 70% of Portugal's energy.

Portugal's 70% of power is generated by renewable sources of energy

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg slams three decades of govt's inaction on climate change. During her address over the climate summit, Thunberg accused world leaders of drowning future generations with empty words and promises.

'30 years of blah blah blah,' climate activist Greta Thunberg slams 3 decades of climate inaction

A recent research published this week in the journal Science has shown that people born today will have more climate disasters over their lifetimes than their grandparents. As per the research, a child born in 2020 will endure an average of 30 extreme heatwaves in their lifetime, even if countries fulfil their current pledges to cut future carbon emissions.&nbsp;

This is seven times more heatwaves than someone born in 1960.

Also, the babies of current times will grow up to experience twice as many droughts and wildfires and three times more river floods and crop failures than someone who is 60 years old today.

Professor Wim Thiery, at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium and who led the research, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Our results highlight a severe threat to the safety of young generations and call for drastic emission reductions to safeguard their future."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-has-caused-the-biggest-decrease-in-life-expectancy-says-study-416261">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19 has caused the biggest decrease in life expectancy, says study</a>

He further said that people under 40 today were set to live “unprecedented” lives, that is suffering heatwaves, droughts, floods and crop failures that would have been virtually impossible.

As a part of the research, drawing on multiple climates and demographic models, Thiery and 36 colleagues compared the risks faced by previous generations to the number of extreme events today’s children will have to witness.

Dr Katja Frieler, at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and part of the study team said, "The good news is we can take much of the climate burden from our children’s shoulders if we limit warming to 1.5C by phasing out fossil fuel use. This is a huge opportunity.”

A recent research published this week in the journal Science has shown that people born today will have more climate disasters over their lifetimes than their grandparents.

A recent research published this week in the journal Science has shown that people born today will have more climate disasters over their lifetimes than their grandparents. As per the research, a child born in 2020 will endure an average of 30 extreme heatwaves in their lifetime, even if countries fulfil their current pledges to cut future carbon emissions. This is seven times more heatwaves than someone born in 1960. Also, the babies of current times will grow up to experience twice as many droughts and wildfires and three times more river floods and crop failures than someone who is 60 years old today. Professor Wim Thiery, at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium and who led the research, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Our results highlight a severe threat to the safety of young generations and call for drastic emission reductions to safeguard their future." Also read | COVID-19 has caused the biggest decrease in life expectancy, says study He further said that people under 40 today were set to live “unprecedented” lives, that is suffering heatwaves, droughts, floods and crop failures that would have been virtually impossible. As a part of the research, drawing on multiple climates and demographic models, Thiery and 36 colleagues compared the risks faced by previous generations to the number of extreme events today’s children will have to witness. Dr Katja Frieler, at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and part of the study team said, "The good news is we can take much of the climate burden from our children’s shoulders if we limit warming to 1.5C by phasing out fossil fuel use. This is a huge opportunity.”

Children will have to face more climate disasters than their grandparents, says study

From wildfires to floods, extreme weather events have been wreaking havoc across the entire world. Therefore, it was not surprising that the climate crisis topped the UNGA discussion as well.

From wildfires to floods, climate change dominated UNGA session

Young people around the world took to the streets on Friday to demand urgent action to avert disastrous climate change, in their largest protest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch this report for more details.

Protest weeks ahead of UN climate summit

Weeks before the UN COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, UK, thousands of people across 99 countries took to the streets in a coordinated global strike, demanding urgent action to tackle the environmental crisis.

The strike&nbsp;on Friday was the first worldwide climate action since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It takes place five weeks before the COP26 summit, which aims to secure more ambitious climate action from world leaders to drastically cut the greenhouse gas emissions heating the plane

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg&nbsp;led the protests in Germany, just two days before the country’s general election.

Addressing a crowd of over 100,000 people in Berlin, 18-year-old asked them to keep the pressure on the political leaders even after the elections ends.&nbsp;

“The concentration of CO2 in the sky hasn't been this high for at least 3 million years,” Thunberg told a crowd of thousands of protesters in Berlin.

“It is clearer than ever that no political party is doing close to enough,” she was quoted as saying.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/women-must-play-a-greater-role-at-the-cop26-summit-say-rights-groups-415781">Women must play a greater role at the Cop26 summit, say rights groups</a>

The agitations were planned in over 1,800 locations by youth movement Fridays for Future, with small-scale demonstrations in the Philippines and Bangladesh, and spreading throughout the day in European cities including Warsaw, Turin and Berlin.

<img alt="Supporters of ‘Fridays for Future'’ stage sit-in protest at the Central Secretariat Building, in New Delhi on Friday." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="292a9827-595e-40bf-888c-d7236c398bda" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/proest.jpg" />

In India, the demonstrations concentrated in the national capital Delhi and eastern Kolkata state, where scores of people staged a sit-in protest, raising awareness about the determinantal impacts of air pollution.

In Mexico protesters assembled in front of the National Palace in Mexico City to demand that the state oil company Pemex present a plan to decarbonise, while in Bangladesh, activists demanded the scrapping of planned new coal and gas power stations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-daily-covid-19-cases-top-3000-for-first-time-after-holiday-415806">South Korea's daily COVID-19 cases top 3,000 for first time after holiday</a>

“Everyone is talking about making promises, but nobody keeps their promise. We want more action," Reuters quoted Farzana Faruk Jhumu, 22, a youth climate activist in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

“We want the work, not just the promises,” she added.

Earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said the world’s carbon emissions must fall by half by 2030 to keep global heating below 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial levels, the limit countries agreed to adhere to in the 2015 Paris climate summit.

Last week, the United Nations said that countries' commitments would see global emissions increase to be 16% higher in 2030 than they were in 2010 —far off the 45% reduction by 2030 needed to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

(With inputs from agencies)

Weeks before the UN COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, UK, thousands of people across 99 countries took to the streets in a coordinated global strike, demanding urgent action to tackle the environmental crisis.

Weeks before the UN COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, UK, thousands of people across 99 countries took to the streets in a coordinated global strike, demanding urgent action to tackle the environmental crisis. The strike on Friday was the first worldwide climate action since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It takes place five weeks before the COP26 summit, which aims to secure more ambitious climate action from world leaders to drastically cut the greenhouse gas emissions heating the plane Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg led the protests in Germany, just two days before the country’s general election. Addressing a crowd of over 100,000 people in Berlin, 18-year-old asked them to keep the pressure on the political leaders even after the elections ends. “The concentration of CO2 in the sky hasn't been this high for at least 3 million years,” Thunberg told a crowd of thousands of protesters in Berlin. “It is clearer than ever that no political party is doing close to enough,” she was quoted as saying. Also read | Women must play a greater role at the Cop26 summit, say rights groups The agitations were planned in over 1,800 locations by youth movement Fridays for Future, with small-scale demonstrations in the Philippines and Bangladesh, and spreading throughout the day in European cities including Warsaw, Turin and Berlin. In India, the demonstrations concentrated in the national capital Delhi and eastern Kolkata state, where scores of people staged a sit-in protest, raising awareness about the determinantal impacts of air pollution. In Mexico protesters assembled in front of the National Palace in Mexico City to demand that the state oil company Pemex present a plan to decarbonise, while in Bangladesh, activists demanded the scrapping of planned new coal and gas power stations. Also read | South Korea's daily COVID-19 cases top 3,000 for first time after holiday “Everyone is talking about making promises, but nobody keeps their promise. We want more action," Reuters quoted Farzana Faruk Jhumu, 22, a youth climate activist in Dhaka, Bangladesh. “We want the work, not just the promises,” she added. Earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said the world’s carbon emissions must fall by half by 2030 to keep global heating below 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial levels, the limit countries agreed to adhere to in the 2015 Paris climate summit. Last week, the United Nations said that countries' commitments would see global emissions increase to be 16% higher in 2030 than they were in 2010 —far off the 45% reduction by 2030 needed to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. (With inputs from agencies)

Global climate strike: Thousands rally across the world demanding urgent action

As the government allows the amazon to turn into the wild west, indigenous groups are taking matters into their own hands. WION tells you how indigenous people are protecting the world's largest rainforest.

Brazil's indigenous group battle against logging & mining in Amazon forest

World leaders are returning to the United Nation for the general assembly. The UNGA will be looking to build momentum to reach an ambitious climate agreement with the focus will be on boosting efforts to fight the covid-19 pandemic, seek unity after the Taliban took over Afghanistan, all this in the shadow of tensions between the United States, China and Russia.

WION USA Direct: Climate change to top the agenda at 76th session of UNGA

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly. He discussed issues of global importance like climate change and the coronavirus.

Challenges that require a united response include “ending this pandemic, addressing the climate crisis, managing shifts in global power dynamics, shaping the role of the world on vital issues like trade, cyber and emerging technologies and facing the threat of terrorism as it stands today,” Biden said.

Biden told that the US would "double" its contribution to climate finance.

<a href="'We are not seeking a new cold war': US President Joe Biden at UNGA">Also read |&nbsp;'We are not seeking a new cold war': US President Joe Biden at UNGA</a>

"This will make the United States a leader in public climate finance," Biden told world leaders in New York, saying he would work with Congress to achieve the goal.

The president urged the world to turn from conflict toward cooperation against the urgent threats of climate change and disease.

He described climate change and the continuing coronavirus pandemic as “urgent and looming crises wherein lie enormous opportunities,” if the globe can “work together to seize” them.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, he also spoke about tensions with China as he said that the US is “not seeking a new Cold War.”&nbsp;

Biden highlighted growing concerns about rising tensions between the two countries without directly addressing China. 
“We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks,” he clarified.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly. He discussed issues of global importance like climate change and the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly. He discussed issues of global importance like climate change and the coronavirus. Challenges that require a united response include “ending this pandemic, addressing the climate crisis, managing shifts in global power dynamics, shaping the role of the world on vital issues like trade, cyber and emerging technologies and facing the threat of terrorism as it stands today,” Biden said. Biden told that the US would "double" its contribution to climate finance. Also read | 'We are not seeking a new cold war': US President Joe Biden at UNGA "This will make the United States a leader in public climate finance," Biden told world leaders in New York, saying he would work with Congress to achieve the goal. The president urged the world to turn from conflict toward cooperation against the urgent threats of climate change and disease. He described climate change and the continuing coronavirus pandemic as “urgent and looming crises wherein lie enormous opportunities,” if the globe can “work together to seize” them. Meanwhile, he also spoke about tensions with China as he said that the US is “not seeking a new Cold War.” Biden highlighted growing concerns about rising tensions between the two countries without directly addressing China. “We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks,” he clarified.

Biden urges action on climate during his address at UNGA

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