Search Climate Insights Directory

Climate Central analysis finds that human-caused global warming increased the maximum wind speeds of every Atlantic hurricane in 2024 by 3 to 14 mph. This intensification was driven by record-breaking sea surface temperatures, which were made up to 800 times more likely by climate change. The report specifically highlights that major hurricanes Helene and Milton were strengthened by 10 mph and 8 mph respectively, and that three hurricanes were pushed into higher Saffir-Simpson categories due to this warming.

A May 2025 survey of 1,040 American adults reveals that 69% believe global warming is happening and 60% attribute it to human causes. While 65% of respondents are at least 'somewhat worried' and many perceive risks to their local communities from extreme weather, 65% rarely or never discuss the issue with family and friends. The report also highlights a sense of personal agency, with 60% disagreeing that it is too late to act and 53% disagreeing that technology alone can solve the problem without individual life changes.

The June–July 2025 heatwave in Europe increased electricity demand by up to 14% and caused average daily power prices to double or triple in several countries. While record solar generation of 45 TWh in June 2025 helped maintain daytime stability, the heatwave triggered thermal power plant outages, particularly affecting France's nuclear fleet. The report argues for the deployment of battery storage, interconnection, and demand flexibility to mitigate future extreme weather risks.

The document argues that current fishing opportunities are often set above scientific advice, perpetuating overfishing in the Baltic, Northeast Atlantic, and Mediterranean. It recommends setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) well below the 'headline' scientific advice from ICES and STECF to account for ecosystem dynamics and climate change. The authors highlight shortcomings in current scientific advice, noting it lacks concrete recovery timeframes and ecological objectives. Key proposals include implementing a quantitative precautionary approach to TAC-setting, increasing transparency in negotiations, and fully enforcing the Landing Obligation.

The briefing argues that deep-sea fish populations in European waters are either depleted or lack sufficient data for assessment, making them exceptionally vulnerable to over-exploitation due to slow growth and late maturation. It criticizes EU and UK ministers for setting fishing opportunities above precautionary scientific advice from ICES and STECF. The document recommends setting fishing opportunities below single-stock advice, implementing zero-catch Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for endangered species like roundnose grenadier, and enhancing the protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). It emphasizes that these measures are necessary to meet obligations under the EU deep-sea fisheries Regulation 2016/2336, the UK Fisheries Act, and UN General Assembly standards.

The document argues that both the EU and UK consistently set Total Allowable Catches (TACs) above scientific advice, failing to meet legal deadlines for sustainable fishing. It highlights a systemic failure to prioritise the recovery of depleted stocks, often citing 'choke' risks in mixed fisheries as a justification. The briefing calls for a shift toward ecosystem-based management and a quota allocation system that rewards low-impact fishing practices over historical catch data.

The briefing identifies three primary shortcomings in the ICES scientific advice used by the EU and UK: a lack of focus on rebuilding stocks above sustainable levels (BMSY), insufficient precaution to prevent stocks from falling below biological limits (Blim), and a failure to integrate ecosystem health objectives such as food web integrity. It calls for a formal roadmap to address these flaws and recommends that fishery managers apply additional precaution by setting catch levels below the ICES 'headline' advice until recovery-focused and ecosystem-based advice is available.

The briefing argues that the lack of comprehensive sharing arrangements for fish stocks shared between the EU, UK, and third countries often leads to catch levels exceeding scientific advice. It calls for the adoption of ecosystem-based fisheries management, the implementation of a genuine precautionary approach, and the avoidance of unilateral quota setting. Specifically, it urges the EU and UK to ensure total fishing limits do not exceed scientifically advised levels and to prioritize resolving allocation disputes for pelagic stocks like mackerel, herring, and blue whiting. The document also emphasizes the need for transparency under the Aarhus Convention and the use of ICES scientific advice as the primary basis for management decisions.

The document advocates for a shift from single-stock fisheries management to an ecosystem-based approach in the EU and UK. It argues that current scientific advice from ICES and STECF often fails to account for the needs of predators and the impacts of climate change. The authors recommend setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) below headline scientific advice to rebuild fish populations well above sustainable levels (BMSY) and to safeguard the food web, particularly for forage fish like sandeel, sprat, and herring.

The document argues that EU and UK fisheries management has historically prioritized profitable stocks over vulnerable ones, leading to a cycle of overfishing and 'choking'—where fisheries must stop operating because they run out of quota for less abundant species despite having quota for target stocks. To break this cycle, the authors recommend that Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for abundant stocks be set below single-stock scientific advice to protect bycatch, and that decision-makers utilize mixed fishery MSY considerations from ICES geared toward rebuilding depleted populations. Additional proposed measures include implementing spatial closures, mandating Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) for full catch documentation, and requiring the use of the best available technology to improve gear selectivity.

The document argues that EU and UK fisheries management has failed to rebuild depleted fish stocks, often exceeding scientific advice to avoid short-term economic disruptions. It highlights the risk of 'phantom recoveries' where stock assessments overestimate productivity. To break the cycle of overfishing and 'choke' risks in mixed fisheries, the authors recommend setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) strictly in line with scientific advice, implementing rigorous rebuilding plans with remote electronic monitoring, and reducing TACs for healthy stocks to protect depleted bycatch species.

The document explains that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, have increased average global temperatures by approximately one degree Celsius since 1880. It details the resulting impacts, including more frequent extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification. The text outlines strategies for addressing these challenges through climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, while describing the roles of the U.S. government, corporations, and the United Nations in implementing these solutions.

The document explains that global warming, driven primarily by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and agriculture, has increased average global temperatures by approximately 1 degree Celsius since 1880. It details the resulting impacts, including more frequent extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification. The text outlines various responses, such as the transition to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the roles of the United Nations and the U.S. government in international agreements like the Paris Agreement. It also defines key concepts such as climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, and discusses the role of climate finance in supporting these efforts.

The document examines the evolution of humanitarian communication, focusing on the tension between emotional storytelling and technical data. It analyzes the impact of generative AI on the authenticity of testimonies and images, the risks of 'infoglut' and fake news in conflict zones, and the intersectional vulnerabilities of women and LGBTQIA+ individuals facing climate change, specifically in Kenya.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the Trump administration launched 402 attacks on science between January and June 2025, exceeding the total from his first term. These actions include the layoff of over 120,000 federal employees, the dismantling of science-focused federal advisory committees, and the censorship of environment and climate webpages. The report highlights the suspension of NIH grant reviews and the bypassing of public comment processes to benefit the fossil fuel industry, which disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. The document recommends that Congress pass the Scientific Integrity Act and the EXPERTS Act to protect evidence-based policymaking.

Africa's freshwater ecosystems host at least 3,281 fish species, most of which are endemic, supporting millions of people through fisheries and providing critical ecosystem services. However, approximately 26% of these species are threatened with extinction due to damming, pollution, over-abstraction of water, invasive species, and climate change. The report highlights the critical role of the African Great Lakes and major river basins, the economic potential of the aquarium and recreational angling trades, and the urgent need for integrated management through initiatives like the Freshwater Challenge and the use of eDNA monitoring.

The document examines how the High Line's vegetation helps alleviate urban heat islands (UHIs), which are areas of elevated heat caused by population density and the built environment. It notes that while human-caused climate change warms the planet, urban infrastructure amplifies average and extreme temperatures, disproportionately affecting underserved populations. The report focuses on the role of trees and plants in urban spaces as a solution to these heat-related health and quality-of-life threats.

Climate Central's analysis of 65 major U.S. cities reveals that approximately 76% of the 6.2 million K-12 public school students in these areas attend school in 'extreme urban heat zones,' where the built environment adds at least 8°F of additional heat. The average student in these cities attends school in a neighborhood that is 8.3°F hotter due to the built environment, with the highest average additional heat found in New York City (9.6°F). The report highlights that children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related health risks, which can impair academic achievement and development, while noting that 41% of public school districts need to update or replace HVAC systems in at least half of their schools.

The Canadian Climate Institute responds to claims that its 'Close to Home' report relies on 'guesswork,' asserting that its risk modelling uses data from The Co-operators and SwissRe and focuses on near-term risks. The Institute argues that failing to account for flood and wildfire exposure in housing development could increase private and public costs by $3 billion annually. It emphasizes that better land-use planning and risk information empower market participants to make informed decisions, addressing a market failure where insurance and property values misprice risk. The document notes that 2024 saw record insured losses of over $8.9 billion in Canada due to severe weather, including events in Quebec, Toronto, and Jasper, and maintains that climate change is increasing the area burned by wildfires.

Mighty Earth calls on EU politicians to uphold the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), warning that political pressure from the European Peoples Party (EPP) and industry actors threatens a law that could save 8 million hectares of forest and prevent 2.7 tonnes of net CO2 emissions over ten years.