climate

U.S. envoy John Kerry points to some progress at U.N. climate summit

7:40am November 12, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry about his expectations on what would make the U.N. climate conference a success ahead of the final day of COP26.

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In 2017, Hurricane Maria damaged 90% of the housing stock on the Caribbean island of Dominica. The country was still recovering from two extreme storms over the previous two years.

Environment

Developing nations say they're owed for climate damage. Richer nations aren't budging

7:42pm November 11, 2021

by Lauren Sommer

Extreme weather is costing developing countries billions of dollars in damage. So they're seeking compensation from weather countries that have done the most to cause climate change.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry speaks at the COP26 summit during a joint U.S.-China statement on a declaration enhancing climate action.

U.S. and China announce surprise climate agreement at COP26 summit

5:53pm November 11, 2021

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told NPR the declaration spurs mutual accountability. "I'm absolutely convinced that that is the fastest, best way to get China to move from where it is today," he said.

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Activists dressed as debt collectors hold cutouts of the leaders of the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK and Italy in front of the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington, D.C., last month to ask rich nations to keep their financial

World News

A climate summit theme: How much should wealthy countries pay to help poorer ones?

5:21pm November 11, 2021

by Frank Langfitt

Wealthy countries have historically been the largest producers of greenhouse gases. One of the biggest issues left at the COP26 summit is their role helping poorer nations cope with climate change.

How other countries at COP26 view American leadership and climate promises

5:06pm November 11, 2021

President Biden has declared the U.S. is back as a leader in combatting disastrous climate change. But after years of unfulfilled pledges, how do other countries view American leadership and promises?

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National

When consumers want to reduce their carbon footprint, food choices matter

4:49pm November 11, 2021

According to the World Bank, 20-30% of Earth's carbon emissions come from agriculture. When possible, consumers can reduce their carbon imprint through food choices.

Tower Bridge over The River Thames and, in the distance, the secondary central business district of Canary Wharf are pictured as the sun sets in London.

Zombie river? London's Thames, once biologically dead, has been coming back to life

12:16pm November 11, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Oxygen levels, necessary for fish, are up and dangerous phosphorus levels are down in the historically polluted waterway. But a new report points to climate change as a possible wildcard.

Brianna Fruean, a Samoan member of the Pacific Climate Warriors, speaks at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on Tuesday.

Environment

For Brianna Fruean, the smell of mud drives home the need for climate action

10:40am November 11, 2021

Many island nations have the most to lose when it comes to the climate crisis. But at the COP26 U.N. climate summit, they insist they aren't victims, they're warriors.

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At the U.N. climate talks, China and the U.S. pledge to increase cooperation

6:21am November 11, 2021

by Emily Feng

The U.S. and China say they'll work together to limit methane emissions. Environmental experts say the agreement has more significance for geopolitics than it does for climate change.

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Poor countries push for compensation over damage caused by climate change

5:57am November 11, 2021

Some of the world's most vulnerable countries at the U.N. climate conference in Scotland are demanding compensation, and it's becoming a major sticking point in the negotiations.

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