Scientists are warning that a crucial tipping point could be reached in 2025 – that would see the start of the collapse of the Atlantic Gulf Stream – if global emissions were not reduced. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, known as AMOC, drives the Atlantic’s currents – by pushing warm water from the Gulf of Mexico northwards, towards the Arctic, where it cools and sinks. It last collapsed during the previous ice age around 12,000 years ago – and could have catastrophic impacts for humanity. Sea levels would rise around the East Coast of North America – and storms would worsen in Europe. While rains in Asia, Africa and South […]
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution proposed by the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu to seek an opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on what legal obligations nations are under to protect climate systems and people affected by climate change. Co-sponsored by 132 countries at the UN, the resolution was adopted on Wednesday by a consensus. The UN is now empowered to seek the ICJ’s opinion on what countries’ legal obligations are to protect current and future generations from climate change. The court’s opinion will be non-binding but could help in future climate negotiations and lawsuits. Al Jazeera’s James Bays reports from the United […]
Earth’s protective ozone layer is healing at a pace that will fully mend the hole over Antarctica in about 43 years, a United Nations report has found. The scientific assessment conducted every four years found a recovery in progress, more than 35 years after every nation in the world agreed to stop producing chemicals that deplete the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere. The layer shields the planet from harmful radiation linked to skin cancer, cataracts and crop damage. The progress is slow, according to the report presented on Monday at the American Meteorological Society convention in Denver. The global average amount of ozone 30km (18 miles) high in the […]
Chile’s government says a critical water shortage brought on by the longest drought in history is much worse than thought. There are fears it could even be permanent. Experts say the country is now facing an unprecedented climate emergency. Al Jazeera’s Latin America Editor @Lucia Newman reports from Coquimbo, Chile. – Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe – Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish – Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera – Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #AlJazeeraEnglish #Chile #WaterShortage
