United Nations

A chart showing the large gap between greenhouse gas emissions under current policies and emissions needed to limit warming to around 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100.

Environment

These 4 charts explain why the stakes are so high at the U.N. climate summit

3:43pm October 29, 2021

How hot will the planet get? What nations negotiate at the international climate summit will help determine that. Here are 4 things to know about what's being decided.

United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool reached an agreement with Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics allowing MPP to license the manufacture of molnupiravir to pharmaceutical companies across the globe.

Merck will allow drugmakers in other countries to make its COVID-19 pill

1:21pm October 27, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The drug, known as molnupiravir, has shown promise in treating the disease. The agreement to license its production could help millions of people in the developing world gain access to it.

Emissions rise from Duke Energy's coal-fired Asheville power plant in Arden, N.C., in 2018.

Greenhouse gas levels reached record highs in 2020, even with pandemic lockdowns

3:41pm October 25, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The U.N. meteorological agency says despite a decrease in emissions due to reduced economic activity during COVID-19, carbon dioxide and other warming gases continued to accumulate in the atmosphere.

In this Dec. 29, 2020, file photo, Rohingya refugees wait on naval ships to be transported to an isolated island in the Bay of Bengal, in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

World News

U.N. and Bangladesh sign deal to aid Rohingya relocated to island in Bay of Bengal

6:04am October 11, 2021

by The Associated Press

The agreement came as a paradigm shift after the U.N. and humanitarian groups criticized the relocation, saying the island is regularly submerged by monsoon rains and was not fit for habitation.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Science

Boris Johnson Urges World Leaders To Act With Renewed Urgency On Climate Change

5:31pm September 23, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, the British prime minister said the global community needs to "listen to the warnings of the scientists."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres makes a speech during the 76th session of United Nations General Assembly, in New York, United States on Tuesday.

World News

The Taliban Want A Chance To Address The U.N. That's Unlikely To Happen Soon

10:33am September 22, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Afghanistan's new rulers have asked for United Nations recognition so they can address the current General Assembly session. But the U.N. credentials committee is unlikely to move that quickly.

V (from left), Suga and Jin of BTS at the launch of the U.N. General Assembly's 76th session on Monday. The popular boy band from South Korea sang (in a video performance viewed online by more than 1 million) and spoke.

BTS Spoke At The UNGA. And That's Not The Only Surprise At The U.N. Event

5:53pm September 21, 2021

by Joanne Lu

The appearance of the popular boy band from South Korea is one of many unexpected moments at the U.N. General Assembly — everything from a U.N. TikTok to a groundbreaking food summit.

One thorny issue facing President Biden at the U.N.: the defense deal he announced with Australia and the United Kingdom, which left France so angry that it pulled its ambassador from Washington.

Biden Says 'America's Back.' The World Has Some Questions

12:40pm September 20, 2021

by Ayesha Rascoe

President Biden gives his first address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. He may find some skepticism for his pitch to work together on COVID-19 and climate after some recent decisions.

Meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement will require completely eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants like this one in Adamsville, Alabama

Science

Countries Promised To Cut Greenhouse Emissions, The UN Says They Are Failing

4:59pm September 17, 2021

by Dan Charles

Most countries are failing to follow through on promises to meaningfully cut greenhouse gas emissions. A UN analysis shows that actions so far will allow emissions to keep increasing

In December 1955, a man posts a price for leaded gasoline at a station in Everett, Massachusetts. The United Nations said on Monday that the world is no longer using the toxic fuel, bringing an end to a century of damaging pollution.

Environment

The World Has Finally Stopped Using Leaded Gasoline. Algeria Used The Last Stockpile

7:44pm August 30, 2021

by Camila Domonoske

A calamitous invention that poisoned air, water and soil for generations is no more, according to a report from the United Nations.