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The document details a roundtable event focused on the 'climate-food-security nexus,' arguing that the US must integrate defense and security actors into food security efforts to maintain stability and military readiness. Key recommendations include improving actionable intelligence through tools like the Climate Security Alert Tool, combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through security cooperation, and increasing public investment in agricultural research and development.

A World Weather Attribution study found that human-caused climate change increased the likelihood of extreme heat for 6.3 billion people globally, adding an average of 26 extreme heat days per location over the last year.

This briefing, prepared by the focal point of Chile for the 32nd meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), proposes that the Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2) be invited to become an Associate of the Institute under Article XI of the Agreement establishing the IAI.

Chile has proposed that the Climate Science and Resilience Center (CR2) be admitted as an Associate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). The proposal highlights CR2's regional research ambitions in South America and Antarctica, its interdisciplinary approach to bridging natural and social sciences, and its contributions to Chilean public policy, including the 2022 Framework Law on Climate Change and the design of Chile's NDC for COP25. Additionally, CR2's leadership in climate services is noted through the creation of the Climate Risk Atlas of Chile (ARClim) and 14 other open-access climate services.

The document explores the theoretical capacity of superhot rock energy in South America, highlighting its potential to meet rising energy demands, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and leverage existing oil and gas expertise, while noting that commercial scale is not expected by 2030.

The document argues that the current ecological crisis is driven by fossil-fuel-based economic systems and excessive consumption. It calls for a fundamental shift in economic and behavioral patterns, emphasizing the interconnectedness of climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, air pollution, and social inequality. The guide advocates for a 'just transition' that protects the poor and marginalized, who suffer most from environmental degradation despite contributing the least to it.

2023 was the hottest year on record, reaching 1.4°C above the 1881-1910 baseline. This warming is driven by unprecedented levels of carbon pollution from fossil fuels, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events globally.

The report emphasizes the critical role of estuaries and mangroves in Central and South America for biodiversity, carbon capture, and coastal protection. It argues that these 'blue carbon' ecosystems are threatened by climate change, pollution, and urbanization, and calls for a comprehensive framework involving scientific diplomacy, transboundary cooperation, and community engagement. The document provides specific policy recommendations across four dimensions: ecology, ecosystem services, spatial governance, and community action, while highlighting the Coiba Archipelago in Panama and the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica as case studies for sustainable management.

This white paper argues for the critical importance of estuaries and mangroves in Central and South America for biodiversity, climate regulation, and coastal protection. It identifies threats such as climate change, pollution, and urbanization, and proposes a comprehensive framework for sustainable management. The report emphasizes the role of 'blue carbon' in climate mitigation and advocates for science diplomacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement. It provides specific case studies from the Coiba Archipelago in Panama and the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica to illustrate successful management and the need for continued restoration.

The document argues that estuaries and mangroves in Central and South America are critical for biodiversity, climate regulation, and coastal protection, but face threats from climate change, pollution, and urbanization. It proposes a comprehensive framework for sustainable management, emphasizing the need for scientific diplomacy, inclusive governance, and community participation. The report highlights the role of 'blue carbon' in national climate strategies and provides case studies from the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica and the Coiba Archipelago in Panama to illustrate successful sustainable management and the potential for pristine sites to serve as regional health benchmarks.

WWF's 2024 review highlights efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss through targeted programs. Key achievements include expanding the Food Waste Warriors program to 15 new cities, enrolling 1 million acres in the Ranch Systems and Viability Planning network, and contributing to a global tiger population increase to 5,574. The report also details human-wildlife conflict mitigation in the KAZA region, elephant tracking in India, and the establishment of the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration in North America.

The document highlights that 2023 is virtually certain to be the hottest year on record, driven by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. It details the resulting increase in extreme weather events, the long-term trend of rapid warming since the industrial revolution, and the necessity of transitioning to clean energy to meet global climate targets.

The report examines Ecopetrol, Petrobras, YPF, and EP Petroecuador, finding that while some have stated ambitions for unrelated diversification, these efforts are not a priority compared to decarbonizing existing fossil fuel operations. The authors argue that these NOGCs face significant institutional, financial, and technical barriers that limit their capacity to transition away from their core hydrocarbon businesses.

A study by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change significantly increased the intensity and likelihood of an early spring heat event in South America, which affected Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The event, occurring approximately once every 30 years in the current climate, would have been 1.4 to 4.3 °C cooler without human-caused warming. The study notes that the likelihood of such an event has increased by at least 100 times due to climate change. Future warming of 2°C above pre-industrial levels is projected to make similar events five times more likely and 1.1 to 1.6 °C hotter. The researchers highlight a lack of heat action plans in the affected region, which increases vulnerability for the urban poor and ecosystems, despite the fact that adaptation can reduce morbidity and mortality.

The MENA region increased its operational utility-scale solar and wind capacity by 57% since May 2022, adding 6.9 GW. While prospective capacity has grown by 400% to 361 GW, 60% of these projects are earmarked for green hydrogen production or export rather than domestic decarbonization. Oil and gas power plants still provide over 90% of the region's electricity, and replacing them would require approximately 500 GW of additional solar and wind capacity. The report highlights a disparity in progress, noting that South America operationalized at least four times more capacity in the same period. Additionally, sovereign wealth funds from the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing more heavily in renewables abroad (46 GW) than domestically (14 GW).

The report uses the Six Americas Super Short Survey (SASSY) to categorize Facebook users in 110 countries and territories into six groups: Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive. The 'Alarmed' group is the largest in approximately 80 of the surveyed locations, with the highest percentages found in Chile (65%), Mexico (64%), Malawi (63%), Bolivia (62%), and Sri Lanka (61%). Conversely, the United States exhibits a higher proportion of 'Doubtful' and 'Dismissive' respondents (22%) compared to other major carbon emitters and is less 'Alarmed' (34%) than many of its peers. Regional analysis shows South America has the highest proportion of countries with a majority of 'Alarmed' respondents, while Southwest Asia and North Africa show higher levels of doubt or dismissal, particularly in Yemen (34%).

The document outlines the EV battery supply chain—divided into upstream (mining), midstream (processing/refining), downstream (assembly), and end-of-life—highlighting China's current dominance. It discusses the environmental and human rights risks associated with mining critical minerals like lithium and cobalt, and details US legislative tools such as the Inflation Reduction Act designed to 'de-risk' the supply chain and foster domestic economic growth.

The document examines the paradoxical future of the western United States, where warming temperatures are projected to cause both more severe droughts and a higher likelihood of catastrophic megafloods. It highlights that while the total number of atmospheric rivers may decrease, those that do occur will be more intense due to the atmosphere's increased capacity to hold water vapor. Furthermore, warming is shifting precipitation from snow to rain, leading to declining snowpack volumes in the Northern Hemisphere and the American Cordillera, which complicates water management and increases flood risks.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research is seeking nominations to replace three members of the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) and one member of the Science Advisory Committee (SAC) by June 2023. Nominations will be filled at the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties in Panama City. The institute emphasizes the need for international expertise in global change in the Americas, with a specific call for geographic, gender, and ethnic balance, noting underrepresentation of South America, the Caribbean, and the Tropical Andes. Desired expertise includes science diplomacy, economics, biodiversity governance, and informatics.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) is seeking nominations to replace four committee members whose mandates expire in June 2023. Three vacancies are for the Science and Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) and one for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). Nominations will be addressed at the 31st Conference of the Parties in Panama City from June 21-22, 2023. The IAI emphasizes the need for international recognition in global change science in the Americas, interdisciplinary experience, and a desire for better geographic, gender, and ethnic balance, specifically noting underrepresentation from South America, the Caribbean, and the Tropical Andes.