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Global warming makes French reservoir a winter resort for migrating cranes

The Lac du Der was once just a passing glimpse for hundreds of thousands of cranes flying from Scandinavia in search of sunshine, but with global warming the French reservoir has become an attractive winter retreat.

'I'm out of here': French town waits for flood to recede

Residents of a flooded French town on Thursday waited for the water to drain away from its streets, after a nearby river did not rise out of its bed quite as high as expected.

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Deforestation down in Brazil's Amazon

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 59 percent in September compared to the same month last year, official data showed, confirming a positive trend that began after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva returned to power this year.

India flood toll hits 40 as army plots airlift rescues

At least 40 people have died in flash floods inundating India's northeast, officials said Friday, as army teams plotted helicopter rescues for more of the thousands stranded in the deluge.

Drought caused 'historic' global hydropower drop in early 2023

Dry conditions, particularly in China, caused a "historic" global drop in hydropower generation in the first half of 2023, a new analysis shows, highlighting the effects of climate change.

Eastern Canada breaks autumn heat records

Eastern Canada shattered heat records this week with temperatures close to 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), worrying experts and everyday people struggling to cope with extreme weather made worse by climate change.

US offers no new cash to climate fund for developing world

The United States offered no fresh cash to the world's largest climate fund on Thursday, overshadowing pledges of financial support for nations most vulnerable to global warming and infuriating campaigners.

September was hottest on record by 'extraordinary' margin: EU monitor

Last month was the hottest September on record by an "extraordinary" margin as the world flirts dangerously with breaching a key warming limit, the EU climate monitor said on Thursday.

One person dead in Taiwan from Typhoon Koinu's record winds

Typhoon Koinu left at least one person dead on Thursday as it grazed Taiwan's southern tip, lashing the island with the strongest winds it has ever recorded and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes.

Typhoon Koinu brings record winds, knocks out power in Taiwan

Typhoon Koinu grazed the southern edge of Taiwan on Thursday, lashing the island with the strongest winds it has ever recorded and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes.

Climate change primary driver of amphibian decline: study

Climate change has become the main factor driving amphibians towards extinction as they remained the most threatened vertebrates over the past two decades, according to research published on Wednesday.

Taiwan cancels flights, shuts schools ahead of typhoon

Taiwan cancelled flights and closed schools in parts of its southern region on Wednesday ahead of Typhoon Koinu's expected landfall, the second major storm to make a direct hit on the island in a month.

Warming beaches threaten Yemen sea turtles' future

On a Yemeni beach, a sea turtle clambers ashore to lay eggs, which will likely be born female due to rising temperatures, creating a gender imbalance that brings the threat of local extinction.

Greenland's Inuit falling through thin ice of climate change

The thunder of icebergs crashing into the turquoise sea of eastern Greenland is the sound of one of the planet's most important ecosystems teetering on the edge of collapse.

Countries pledge to raise $12 billion to help coral

A coalition of 45 countries pledged Tuesday to raise $12 billion for conservation and restoration of coral reefs, which are threatened worldwide by the effects of climate change.

India must rapidly scale solar to reach renewable targets: study

India needs to increase its solar energy capacity by 36 percent a year for at least the next half-decade to meet its energy mix goals, an analysis said Tuesday.

Japan sees hottest September since records began

Japan has seen its hottest September since records began 125 years ago, the weather agency said, in a year expected to be the warmest in human history.

Lawmakers grill Dutch ex-FM over EU climate post bid

European lawmakers will on Monday grill former Dutch foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra on his bid for a top European Union climate post, in the face of criticism from green activists over his past ties to the oil industry.

European countries smash September temperature records

Austria, France, Germany, Poland and Switzerland announced their hottest Septembers on record on Friday, in a year expected to be the warmest in human history as climate change accelerates.

IEA, ECB urge Europe to move faster on energy transition

Europe must invest more quickly and massively in its energy transition if it wants to remain a global industrial power, top policymakers warned on Friday.

Politicians failing to grasp 'scientific reality' of climate: expert

Wavering ambition by governments and a growing belief that science is politically subjective are great causes for concern in a rapidly escalating climate crisis, an expert told AFP.

Two 'catastrophic' years melt away 10% of Swiss glacier volume: study

Two consecutive years of extreme warming in the Alps have obliterated 10 percent of Swiss glacier volume -- the same amount lost in the three decades prior to 1990, a report revealed Thursday.

UK approves new North Sea oil production, angering green groups

Britain on Wednesday authorised oil and gas production in its largest undeveloped field to bolster its energy security, one week after the government diluted its net zero targets, triggering further condemnation by environmentalists.

UK grants controversial North Sea oil and gas output

Britain on Wednesday authorised oil and gas production in its largest undeveloped field to boost energy security, one week after diluting net zero targets, triggering more condemnation by green groups.

Greek flood victims race to rebuild before new storm hits

When Storm Daniel this month dumped cataclysmic amounts of rain on his village in central Greece, Nikos Falangas barely had time to flee.

Rich nations, China must accelerate race to net zero: IEA

Rich and developing nations alike must sharply improve their net-zero targets, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday, warning that a clean energy surge was the main reason the world's climate goals are still within reach.

Antarctic sea ice hits lowest winter maximum on record: US data

The sea ice around Antarctica likely had a record low surface area when it was at its maximum size this winter, a preliminary US analysis of satellite data showed Monday.

Berlin marathon asks climate protesters to respect race

Organisers of the Berlin marathon pleaded with climate activists on Friday not to disrupt this weekend's race but said they were prepared for "such eventualities".

Australia's firefighters face worst season in years

Volunteer firefighters are scorching Australia's forest undergrowth, reducing fuel for what is expected to be the fiercest fire season since the monster "Black Summer" blazes.

Tuvalu will always be a state, even if underwater, says PM

Tuvalu could be one of the first nations to sink beneath the sea as a result of climate change, but that doesn't mean its statehood is up for discussion, the tiny Pacific archipelago's prime minister said Thursday.

High seas treaty moves closer to reality with first signatures

Dozens of nations on Wednesday began signing a first-ever treaty on protecting the international high seas, raising hopes that it will come into force soon and protect threatened ecosystems vital to the planet.

Zelensky, in UN showdown, says strip 'criminal' Russia of veto power

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday confronted Russia directly at the UN Security Council, denouncing the Kremlin's invasion of his country as "criminal" and urging that Moscow be stripped of its UN veto power.

Climate crisis has 'opened the gates to hell' UN chief tells summit

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday told world leaders humanity's addiction to fossil fuels had "opened the gates to hell" as he kicked off a climate meeting where leading polluters China and the United States were conspicuously absent.

UN chief convenes 'no nonsense' climate summit, without China or US

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set Wednesday to host a climate meeting marred at its outset by the absence of speakers from the world's top two emitters, China and the United States.

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