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The document outlines the expected impacts of El Niño across Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting risks such as water shortages in Colombia, agricultural losses in Mexico and Central America, and fisheries disruptions in the South Pacific. It emphasizes that while El Niño is a natural phenomenon, climate change intensifies its effects, leading to more frequent extreme weather events. The guide also lists specific resources, expert contacts, and training programs for journalists covering these issues.

The report analyzes the recurrence of climate disinformation during extreme weather events in 2026, specifically focusing on wildfires in Canada, the US, and the UK, and heatwaves in the EU, Spain, and Portugal. It highlights the role of 'participatory disinformation' and the failure of social media platforms to act on advance warnings from organizations like CAAD and EDMO.

The U.S. experienced 12 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters from January to June 2026, causing at least $31.9 billion in damages and 183 fatalities. This period ranks fifth for the most events in the first half of any year since 1980. Severe storms were the dominant disaster type, accounting for eight of the 12 events. Historically, the average number of such disasters per year has risen from three in the 1980s to 20 events annually between 2016 and 2025, with the average time between events shrinking from 82 days to 16 days in the same comparison.

The report analyzes a severe heatwave in July 2026 characterized by record-shattering Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) values across the eastern US and Canada. Attribution analysis indicates that while the atmospheric circulation pattern (a 'heat dome') is characteristic of the region, the intensity of the event was substantially increased by a background climate that has warmed by 1.4°C due to fossil fuel combustion. The study emphasizes that humid heat extremes are an emerging risk, as WBGT is increasing more rapidly than absolute maximum or minimum temperatures. It also highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of low-income residents, outdoor workers, and those in historically redlined urban districts, while noting the critical role of heat action plans and cooling centers in mitigating mortality.

Climate change is making heatwaves in Canada more frequent, intense, and prolonged, with the country warming twice as fast as the global average. These events are linked to increased mortality, severe health risks, and the amplification of wildfires, such as the 2021 British Columbia heat dome. The economic burden is significant, with projected annual costs of $3 billion for health-related deaths and quality of life losses by mid-century, alongside billions in infrastructure damage and productivity losses. Adaptation strategies, including indoor cooling and resilient infrastructure, are recommended to mitigate these risks.

Climate change is making heat waves in Canada hotter, longer, and more frequent, with the country warming twice as fast as the global average. These events are linked to increased mortality, severe health issues, and the intensification of wildfires. Economic burdens include billions in healthcare costs, societal losses from premature deaths, and infrastructure damage. Adaptation strategies such as indoor cooling, green infrastructure, and improved urban design are recommended to mitigate these risks.

The June 2026 heatwave in Western Europe is the most severe ever recorded for the region, with temperatures 5–12°C above seasonal averages. Analysis shows that such an event would have been virtually impossible in 1976 and significantly rarer in 2003, indicating that extreme heat is increasing rapidly due to global warming. The event caused widespread disruption to transport, energy systems, and health services, with 45% of European cities breaking indoor Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) thresholds.

The document details the lived experience of Melissa Fisher, a resident of Elizabeth Vale, South Australia, who suffers from Hidradenitis Suppurativa. She describes how worsening heatwaves, combined with inadequate public housing and financial hardship, create life-threatening conditions. Fisher highlights a January 2026 heatwave where indoor temperatures remained at 35 degrees Celsius at 2am, leading to respiratory distress. She advocates for government responsibility to protect vulnerable populations through the Hard Truths human rights case.

The report finds that while the May 2026 heatwave triggered a spike in media attention, coverage often lacked depth regarding the causes of climate change and structural adaptation solutions. Public broadcasters and specific press outlets like Le Monde and L'Humanité more consistently linked the event to global warming, whereas private channels like CNews and BFMTV frequently omitted this connection. The analysis highlights a preference for palliative adaptation measures, such as air conditioning, over structural solutions like urban greening or thermal renovation, and notes the emergence of climate disinformation narratives on certain platforms.

Mali is a low-income Sahelian nation facing severe environmental degradation and political volatility. The country is characterized by three natural zones—Sudanese, Sahelian, and Saharan—and is highly vulnerable to climate change, having experienced significant rainfall declines since the 1980s. Politically, Mali has a history of military coups and recurring rebellions, most recently leading to its withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024 and the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States with Burkina Faso and Niger. The document also notes the presence of violent extremist groups and the shift in external relations from France toward Russia.

A World Weather Attribution study finds that climate change has shifted extreme heat earlier into the year in Saudi Arabia, making May temperatures in Mecca as dangerous as summer temperatures were between 1970 and 1990. The analysis indicates that peak May temperatures are now approximately 2°C hotter and average May temperatures are approximately 3.5°C higher than in a preindustrial climate. This trend increases the risk of heat stroke and exhaustion for millions of pilgrims, with projections suggesting that if global temperatures rise by 3°C, 97% of Hajj pilgrimages would occur during periods of dangerous heat.

The document outlines the lethal nature of extreme heat, noting that over 540,000 people die annually worldwide, with 13,000 estimated annual deaths in 17 Latin American countries. It highlights that heat exacerbates cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health issues, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers. The text links the increasing intensity and frequency of heatwaves to the burning of fossil fuels and notes that 71% of the global workforce is exposed to excessive heat. It suggests reporting on solutions like public cooling centers, urban greenery, and labor protections rather than using leisure-related imagery.

In March 2026, the United States experienced unprecedented warmth with an average temperature anomaly of 5.8°F across 192 cities. The Southwest was the warmest region, with temperatures more than 10.4°F above normal, and Phoenix recorded the highest individual city anomaly at 12.5°F. Long-term trends show that 188 of the 192 analyzed cities have warmed since 1970, with Wheeling, West Virginia, seeing the greatest increase of 11.7°F. Climate attribution analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) indicates that in Flagstaff, Arizona, temperatures on 28 days in March were made at least two times more likely due to climate change.

The report analyzes a record-shattering heatwave in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico in March 2026, finding that such an event would have been virtually impossible without anthropogenic climate change. Using a combination of observation-based data and climate models, the study estimates that the intensity of 1-in-100-year March heat events has increased by 2.6°C and their likelihood has increased by a factor of approximately 800. The document highlights the extreme vulnerability of non-acclimatized populations and the risk of accelerated snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada and Colorado mountains.

The guide outlines best practices for covering wildfires, advising journalists on physical safety, the distinction between climate-driven conditions and ignition sources, and the importance of reporting on vulnerable populations and adaptation measures. It notes that while direct attribution of a single fire to climate change is difficult, global warming increases the frequency and intensity of disasters through higher temperatures and prolonged droughts.

A study by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change made a January 2026 heatwave in south-eastern Australia approximately 1.6°C hotter and about 5 times more likely than in a preindustrial climate. Despite a weak La Niña phase reducing the event's severity by 0.3–0.5°C, the warming driven by climate change remained the dominant factor. The event caused a 25% increase in emergencies in Melbourne and created dangerous fire weather in Victoria and New South Wales comparable to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. The report also notes that abundant renewable generation, with solar providing over 60% of midday electricity, helped meet record demand more smoothly than in previous heatwaves.

A survey of 10,751 Indian adults conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 reveals widespread concern over extreme heat and air pollution. Worry is most pronounced among younger and middle-aged adults, women, and urban residents, with a notable trend of higher concern for air pollution among those with higher education levels.

The document examines urban heat islands (UHI) in Pärnu, Estonia, highlighting how urban density and coastal dynamics intensify heat. It argues that heat risk is an interaction between physical hazards and social vulnerability, particularly for children and the elderly, and advocates for targeted planning based on spatial mapping of these factors.

Connecticut is experiencing accelerating climate risks, including more frequent extreme precipitation, rising sea levels, and increasing temperatures. The report details specific historical damages, such as a $300 million storm in August 2024 and $21 million in agricultural losses in July 2023. It projects significant future costs, including $5.3 billion for seawalls by 2040 and a 400% increase in days over 90 in Connecticut by 2050. The document provides comprehensive lists of potential adaptation costs across infrastructure, public health, and individual expenses to mitigate these hazards.

The report analyzes 22 extreme weather events in 2025, noting that despite weak La Nina conditions, global temperatures remained exceptionally high due to human-driven emissions. It emphasizes that warming of approximately 1.3°C has intensified heatwaves, droughts, and floods, with a specific focus on how women and marginalized groups bear a disproportionate burden. The document also identifies a critical gap in climate science, where a lack of observational data in the Global South hinders confident analysis of rainfall events. Finally, it argues that while adaptation is necessary, events like Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean demonstrate that adaptation has limits and cannot replace the urgent need for rapid emission reductions.