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The critical Atlantic current system appears significantly more likely to collapse than previously thought after new research found that climate models predicting the biggest slowdown are the most realistic. Scientists called the new finding “very concerning” as a collapse would have catastrophic consequences for Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Doyne Farmer says a super-simulator of the global economy would accelerate the transition to a green, clean world

Continued global heating could set irreversible course by triggering climate tipping points, but most people unaware

States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points

The world has entered an era of “global water bankruptcy” that is harming billions of people, a UN report has declared. The overuse and pollution of water must be tackled urgently, the report’s lead author said, because no one knew when the whole system could collapse, with implications for peace and social cohesion. All life depends on water but the report found many societies had long been using water faster than it could be replenished annually in rivers and soils, as well as over-exploiting or destroying long-term stores of water in aquifers and wetlands.

“Combustion is the problem – when you’re continuing to burn something, that’s not solving the problem,” says Prof Mark Jacobson. The Stanford University academic has a compelling pitch: the world can rapidly get 100% of its energy from renewable sources with, as the title of his new book says, “no miracles needed”. Wind, water and solar can provide plentiful and cheap power, he argues, ending the carbon emissions driving the climate crisis, slashing deadly air pollution and ensuring energy security. Carbon capture and storage, biofuels, new nuclear and other technologies are expensive wastes of time, he argues.

UN GEO report says ending this harm key to global transformation required ‘before collapse becomes inevitable’

Delegates made minimal headway on timetable for replacing oil and gas or on firm commitments to reducing carbon emissions

A deal is welcome after talks nearly collapsed but the final agreement contains small steps rather than leaps

CO2 in air hit new high last year, with scientists concerned natural land and ocean carbon sinks are weakening

Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water

Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout

An epic analysis of 5,000 years of civilisation argues that a global collapse is coming unless inequality is vanquished

Research in Chile suggests climate crisis makes eruptions more likely and explosive, and warns of Antarctica risk

False claims obstructing climate action, say researchers, amid calls for climate lies to be criminalised

Breaching threshold would ramp up catastrophic weather events, further increasing human suffering

Action urgently needed to save the conditions under which markets – and civilisation itself – can operate, says senior Allianz figure

Analysis shows fossil fuels are supercharging heatwaves, leaving millions prone to deadly temperatures

Thirteen of the ports with the highest supertanker traffic will be seriously damaged by just 1 metre of sea level rise, the analysis found. The researchers said two low-lying ports in Saudi Arabia – Ras Tanura and Yanbu – were particularly vulnerable. Both are operated by Aramco, the Saudi state oil firm, and 98% of the country’s oil exports leave via these ports.

Prof James Hansen says pace of global heating has been significantly underestimated, though other scientists disagree