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June 2026 was the second-warmest June on record globally, with the Arctic experiencing its warmest June ever. In the U.S., 66% of the contiguous region faced abnormally dry or drought conditions by July 7, 2026, and the West and Southwest regions saw their warmest January-June period on record. A very strong El Niño is forecast to develop between October and December 2026, with an 81% probability, likely pushing global temperatures to or above 1.5C by October. Climate Central's analysis indicates human-caused climate change is a key driver of summertime warming in 91% of analyzed U.S. cities.

The document reports that November 2025 was the third warmest on record globally and the fourth warmest for the contiguous U.S. It highlights a long-term trend of warming winters in the U.S., where the coldest day of the year has warmed by approximately 7°F since 1970. The briefing also notes significant regional anomalies, such as extreme warmth in Texas and heavy rainfall in southern California, while discussing the ongoing La Niña advisory and its expected impacts on weather patterns through early 2026.

The document argues that climate adaptation is not merely a technical challenge but a human one, requiring empathy and imagination to value losses that are geographically or personally distant. The author contends that preserving global environmental and cultural heritage is essential for human experience and that recognizing the intrinsic value of nature—beyond practical cost-benefit analyses—is critical for successful collective action against climate change.

The document explains the distinction between weather and climate, the human-driven causes of global warming, and the resulting increase in extreme weather events. It highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized groups and outlines necessary solutions, including transitioning to renewable energy and improving resource efficiency.

A group of Norwegian cultural workers and artists call for an immediate end to new oil and gas exploration, arguing that the government's announcement of 92 new blocks contradicts the goals of the Paris Agreement and the warnings of the UN and IEA. The signatories emphasize that fossil fuel use drives the climate crisis, causing extreme weather events globally and threatening cultural heritage and human rights, and urge Norway to lead a just transition toward renewable energy.

The document explains attribution studies—which use climate models to determine if and how much human-induced climate change affected a specific event—and provides guidance on reporting various extreme phenomena. It details how global warming increases the probability and intensity of heatwaves and heavy precipitation globally, while the effects on droughts, wildfires, and tropical cyclones vary by region or specific metric. It emphasizes that while climate change influences the risk and intensity of these events, human factors like land use and water management also contribute to whether an event becomes a disaster.

The Arctic is warming up to four times faster than the global average, leading to rapid sea ice loss and permafrost melt. These changes disrupt global weather patterns and increase risks from commercial shipping, resource extraction, and pollution. While the Arctic Council provides a framework for cooperation and the Stockholm Convention has successfully reduced persistent organic pollutants, current governance is hindered by weak legal structures and geopolitical tensions, specifically following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The document advocates for stronger greenhouse gas mitigation and the potential establishment of an Arctic sanctuary.

The document outlines the escalating impacts of human-induced climate change on humans and ecosystems, emphasizing that the most marginalized populations are hit hardest. It highlights the role of 'attribution literature' in linking extreme weather to human activity and discusses the critical need for transformative adaptation and nature-based solutions. The briefing warns that the costs of inaction far exceed those of mitigation and adaptation, noting significant GDP losses in vulnerable nations and the potential for mass migration and biodiversity loss.

The document explains 'event attribution' as a scientific method to determine how much human-induced climate change affects the probability and intensity of specific weather extremes. It provides a detailed breakdown of how climate change influences heatwaves, floods, tropical cyclones, snowfalls, droughts, and wildfires, while cautioning against oversimplifying these events as having a single cause. The guide emphasizes that while some trends (like heatwaves) are globally certain, others (like floods or droughts) vary by region and are influenced by local human factors such as land use and water management.

The author contends that the extreme weather events of 2021 demonstrate that climate risk is transboundary and that current adaptation efforts are insufficient. The text argues for a shift from domestic to transboundary perspectives on risk, noting that adaptation goals under the Paris Agreement remain 'fuzzy' and lack operational mechanisms. It concludes that adaptation has limits and must be pursued in tandem with aggressive mitigation to avoid catastrophic costs and loss of life.

The briefing details advancements in extreme event attribution, updated temperature datasets, and refined climate sensitivity models. It highlights the shrinking carbon budget for the 1.5°C target, the risks of climate tipping points, and the critical role of non-CO2 greenhouse gases like methane. Additionally, it discusses the scientific requirements for net-zero targets and the limitations of carbon dioxide removal and geoengineering.

The report argues that India's post-pandemic recovery should prioritize 'building back better' by investing in natural capital and nature-based solutions (NbS). It examines the role of public and private finance, the need for a green finance taxonomy, and the importance of integrating biodiversity values into agriculture, infrastructure, and sub-national climate action plans. Key focus areas include land restoration targets, the conservation of wetlands within the Central Asian Flyway, and the mitigation of illegal wildlife trade.

The report analyzes the security implications of rapid warming in the Arctic, focusing on the destabilizing effects of sea ice loss and permafrost thaw. It argues that these environmental changes, combined with an influx of commercial shipping and resource extraction, exacerbate tensions between major powers like Russia, the US, and China. The document highlights specific risks, including the degradation of military infrastructure in Alaska, the potential release of ancient pathogens, and the increased likelihood of military accidents in a region with limited security-focused diplomatic forums.

The report examines how forest fires, driven by climate change in temperate regions and intentional land clearing in the Amazon, create severe air pollution that impacts large populations. It highlights the acute risks of PM2.5 particulate matter, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, and calls for improved health system preparation, Indigenous-led fire management, and urgent global climate mitigation.

The Arctic sea ice reached its 2020 minimum extent of 1.44 million square miles on September 15, marking the second lowest extent in the nearly 42-year satellite record. This loss is driven by factors including a Siberian heat wave and a reinforcing feedback loop where the darker ocean surface absorbs more heat, contributing to the Arctic warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. The 14 lowest extents in the satellite era have all occurred within the last 14 years, with the record low set in 2012.

The report concludes that the prolonged regional heat in Siberia from January to June 2020 was effectively impossible without human influence, with a best estimate probability ratio of 99,000 compared to a 1900 climate. Such events would have been at least 2°C cooler without anthropogenic influence. For the specific record of 38°C at Verkhoyansk, the study found a confident anthropogenic shift in intensity of 1.5°C, although the probability ratio for this specific station event is of lower confidence. By 2050, the regional heat is expected to be further intensified, with a synthesis change in intensity of 4.85°C compared to 1900.

The Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) and Global Health and Climate Alliance (GCHA) argue that the Australian bushfires demonstrate the critical link between climate change and public health emergencies. They urge the Australian government to recognize a climate emergency, integrate public health into national carbon budgets, and phase out fossil fuels to prevent more intense bushfire seasons.

The document analyzes the energy partnership between Russia and South Africa, noting that while a $76-billion nuclear deal was declared unlawful and abandoned, both nations maintain a strategic need for cooperation. Russia seeks to diversify its export markets through a 'Pivot to the East' to reduce vulnerability to global commodity shocks, while South Africa seeks to resolve a chronic electricity crisis. Current cooperation has shifted toward smaller-scale projects, such as an agreement between Rosatom and the South African government to build mini hydropower plants in Mpumalanga to power rural areas.

The analysis finds that heat and cold extremes are warming globally in line with average temperatures, with cold extremes in Siberia and Canada warming particularly fast. Extreme daily precipitation is generally increasing at a rate of approximately 7% per degree Celsius, though regional variations exist. While trends in tropical cyclone frequency are difficult to determine, their impacts have increased due to higher precipitation and sea level rise. Drought trends remain complex and highly dependent on the specific definition used.

Friends of the Earth International asserts that the current global energy model, dominated by fossil fuels and corporate-led 'false solutions', is driving a planetary emergency. The statement criticizes the Paris Agreement as insufficient and legally unenforceable, calling for urgent emission reductions by wealthy nations and a shift toward decentralized, community-led energy systems.