The world needs ‘an avalanche’ of climate action in 2022
As the international community looks to build on the momentum from COP26 and take forward pledges for decisive action agreed in the Glasgow Climate Pact, the New Year began with two stark reminders about the consequences of the progressive warming of our planet.
On 7 January, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed that 2021 marked the 25th consecutive year in which the key Greenland ice sheet lost more mass during the melting season than it gained during winter.
Twelve days later, the UN weather agency also confirmed that last year joined the list of the seven warmest years on record.
Since the 1980s, each succeeding decade has been warmer than the previous one, a trend scientists expect to continue.
Calling for action, the UN Secretary-General declared that countries have no choice but to go into “emergency mode” to tackle the climate crisis.
“Global emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent by the end of the decade to reach carbon neutrality by mid-century, which requires an avalanche of action in 2022”, António Guterres said during a press conference outlining his priorities for the year.
Meanwhile, intense rainfall from two separate tropical storms pummelled Madagascar in January, sparking multiple crises across a country which already suffers from a looming famine.
As extreme weather events keep getting more intense, the calls for more ambitious climate action are growing. In fact, countries are already getting ready for the UN Climate Conference COP27 which will kick off preparations with a Middle East and North Africa Climate Week.
As we did last year, we will continue to keep you up to date with all the latest developments related to climate action, as well as let you know the scientific updates on this UN News Climate Newsletter.
Today, we will give you a deeper look into the thawing of permafrost, the planet’s frozen land, and explain how it impacts our global climate goal.
We also tell you why 2022 will be another big year for climate action, and much more. |
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| Earth’s permafrost is thawing, and indigenous communities in the Arctic and scientists around the world say it’s high time this alarming loss of ground ice receives the global attention – and dedicated research and action– it deserves. |
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As this phenomenon reshapes landscapes, displaces whole villages, and disrupts fragile animal and plant habitats; it also threatens to release dangerous microorganisms that have been locked in ice for thousands of years.
Even worse, the melting permafrost could potentially send massive amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into our atmosphere, further risking the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. |
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| 5 things you should know about the greenhouse gases warming the planet Greenhouse gases, and the greenhouse effect. Whilst most will find the analogy easy to understand, what exactly are these gases, and why are they contributing to the warming of the Earth? Read more |
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UN report finds nature conservation funding must triple globally this decade G20 leading industrialized nations must embrace their role as influential leaders against climate change, by aligning development and economic recovery with international nature and climate goals, according to a new UN report.
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Bringing dry land in the Sahel back to life
Millions of hectares of farmland are lost to the desert each year in Africa’s Sahel region, but the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is showing that traditional knowledge, combined with the latest technology, can turn arid ground back into fertile soil.
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 | Why 2022 will matter for climate action |
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| As the world picks up speed in its race against climate change and moves forward from the 2021 Glasgow Climate Change Conference, let’s look at ten key global events in 2022 that will shape critical conversations and influence public policy decisions around one of the most defining issues of our time. |
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Featured video: Truth chat with #CleanSeas
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Youth activists and influencers join a discussion about plastic pollution with Inger Andersen, head of the UN Environment Programme. |
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 | Do you know the truth behind marine litter and plastic pollution? |
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 | S4-Episode 10: I Refuse to Give Up |
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How did a boy raised in a small village in Barbados become one of the top United Nations officials tackling climate change?
In this episode of Awake at Night, Selwin Hart takes us on his inspiring life journey -- from growing up in a home without electricity to being at the centre of global negotiations to tackle the climate emergency. |
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UNEP at 50: Solving the world’s environmental challenges
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) celebrates its 50 birthday this year, calling for more action worldwide to overcome climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising levels of pollution and waste – three crises that threaten our planet. |
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Interview corner:
‘Deep reef’ find, signals hope in face of warming seas, says coral biologist
Stunning images of a just-discovered deep-sea coral reef near Tahiti travelled across the world – the result of a UNESCO-supported scientific mission to map the oceans.
For dive team member Laetitia Hedouin, from France’s National Centre of Scientific Research, it was an exciting chance to examine how living coral can adapt to our warming seas, as she told UN News’s Daniel Johnson. |
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 | | Interview with diver Laetitia Hedouin |
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Featured from UN agencies:
Can e-commerce help save the planet?
Google and a wave of digital companies, including Amazon, and Ant Financial, are encouraging consumers to make more sustainable choices by offering eco-friendly filter options, outlining the environmental impact of products, and leveraging engagement strategies used in video games. |
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 From UN Climate Change |
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