Politics

This week, the International Court of Justice began hearing oral arguments in a high-profile case brought by the island nation of Vanuatu on what obligations United Nations member states have under international law to protect the planet from greenhouse gas emissions for future generations.

Nearly 200 countries adopted a new financing target to assist developing countries respond to climate change at the United Nations climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

As the U.N. climate change conference reached the halfway point, faith groups appealed for countries to set an ambitious new target to finance the transition to clean energy and adaptation measures for a rapidly warming world.

Donald Trump's looming return has cast a shadow over COP29, say Catholic officials here who worry Trump will not only halt U.S. progress in reducing heat-trapping emissions but also undermine international efforts.

Zambia and other African nations are grappling with an extreme drought, worsened by the effects of climate change. One possible funding source Zambia has waited to access is the loss and damage fund, established in 2022 under the United Nations. 

Several organizations are joining in a mission to identify low-propensity voters who care about the environment and motivate them simply to head to the polls.

From public health to public lands, here are 15 ways the next president could affect the climate and your life.

"Climate and environment policies are one issue that we need to bring to the voting booth — there are lots of others," said Catholic Climate Covenant executive director and founder Dan Misleh. "I would encourage people to understand Catholic social doctrine, and our Gospels — and bring that to the voting booth."