Quantifying climate loss and damage consistent with a social cost of carbon, Burke et al., Nature
Climate change is causing measurable harm globally1,2. Political and legal efforts seek to link these damages with specific emissions, including in discussions of loss and damage (L&D)3,4; however, no quantitative definition of L&D exists5,6, nor is there a framework to link past and future emissions from specific sources to monetized, location-specific damages. Here we develop such a framework, which is integrated with recent efforts to estimate the social cost of carbon7. Using empirical estimates of the non-linear relationship between temperature and aggregate economic output, we show that future damages from past emissions—one component of L&D—are at least an order of magnitude larger than historical damages from the same emissions. For instance, one tonne of CO2 emitted in 1990 caused US$180 in discounted global damages by 2020 ($40–530) and will cause an additional $1,840 through 2100 ($500–5,700). Thus, settling debts for past damages will not settle debts for past emissions. In other illustrative estimates, a single long-haul flight per year over the past decade leads to about $25k ($6,000–77,000) in future damages by 2100, and US emissions since 1990 caused $500 billion ($180–1,300 billion) of damage in India and $330 billion ($110–820 billion) in Brazil. Carbon removal offers an alternative to transfer payments for settling L&D, but is increasingly ineffective in limiting damages as the delay between emission and recapture increases.
Collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation would lead to substantial oceanic carbon release and additional global warming, Nian et al., Communications Earth & Environment
The potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation could profoundly impact regional and global climates, yet its effects on the carbon cycle and subsequently global temperature remain seriously underexplored. Here we quantify carbon cycle responses across different background global warming levels using a fast Earth system model. We find that Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation collapse increases atmospheric carbon dioxide by 47–83 ppm carbon dioxide, leading to around 0.2 °C of additional global warming at higher carbon dioxide background levels after offsetting ocean-dynamics-driven cooling. Despite the modest global warming effect, regional temperature anomalies are pronounced: Arctic temperatures cool by ~ 7 °C (60 °N–90 °N), while Antarctic temperatures warm by ~ 6 °C (60 °S–90 °S). This latter response originates from deep convection triggered in the Southern Ocean, which ventilates deep carbon-rich waters. Such long-term equilibrium responses reveal key physical and carbon-cycle mechanisms and highlight substantial regional climate risks associated with an Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation collapse.
Deadly heat stress conditions are already occurring, Perkins-Kirkpatrick et al., Nature Communications
Heat stress limits for human survivability have been previously defined by a 6-hour exposure to a wet-bulb temperature of 35oC. However, the recently developed physiology-based HEAT-Lim model demonstrates that environmental heat stress thresholds may be cooler and drier than previously thought. We employ HEAT-Lim to determine whether non-survivable thresholds were surpassed during six historical events where conditions were climatologically extreme and/or high heat-related mortality was reported. Our results show that non-survivable conditions are occurring during present-day heat events, all of which are below 35oC wet-bulb temperature. Of concern is regular exceedances of deadly thresholds for older people directly exposed across all events. Moreover, extremely hot yet dry conditions are found to be just as deadly as hot and humid conditions. For future climatological assessments, we emphasise the importance of employing increasingly accurate physiology-derived methods to assess the risk of potentially deadly heat stress.
The “Nuclear Energy Paradox”- Investigating nuclear imaginaries in energy projections, Böse et al., Energy Research & Social Science
Current energy projections often envision an expansion of nuclear capacities to decarbonize future energy systems. However, this contrasts with the historic and current status of the nuclear industry, marked by techno-economic challenges for both light-water and non-light-water reactor technologies. Regardless, projections of strong nuclear growth have persisted since the 1970s. This paper investigates the “nuclear energy paradox” which shows the recurring divergence between historical projections and actual developments. A data compilation of long-term energy projections from international organizations such as the IAEA and the IEA as well as energy system models like GCAM and MESSAGE, as used in the IPCC, reveal a recurring pattern of high-growth projections for nuclear power. Such projections often rest on techno-economic assumptions such as substantial cost reductions. We propose the concept of nuclear imaginaries to show that these assumptions are embedded into techno-economic visions of nuclear power development, which shape model assumptions and narratives. The historic perspective helps to show that nuclear imaginaries may never materialize and remain in a hypothetical state for decades. Our findings support decision-makers in making more informed decisions and urge for caution when interpreting energy scenarios and projections, especially for nuclear power.
Climate denial and the classroom: a review, Kutney, Geoscience Communication
Climate change awareness is floundering across the globe despite climate change education being embedded in international treaties to address the climate crisis – the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the UNFCCC) and the subsequent Paris Agreement. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledges forces hostile to climate awareness and education – namely, climate denial sponsored by the energy-industrial complex. Climate change is studied by the physical sciences, but climate denial is the purview of the social sciences; the latter has revealed the why and how of climate denial. Climate-denial organizations (which directly deny aspects of the scientific consensus on climate change) and the related petro-pedagogy groups (which teach that oil is a benefactor to humanity, but say little about the connection of fossil fuels to the climate crisis) have arisen to attempt to interfere with the teaching of the science of climate change in school classrooms. These organizations were found in the United States, Canada, and some European nations (this review is mainly restricted to English-language sources). This review aims to (1) provide an overview of climate denial, promoted and funded by the energy-industrial complex; (2) identify and examine organizations involved in climate denial in schools; (3) summarize the strategies of climate-denial organizations in school classrooms; and (4) put forward recommendations for further research and action.
Trump Administration Actions to Curtail Offshore Wind Energy Development Meet Judicial Resistance, Adam Vann, Congressional Research Service
In 2025 the Trump Administration took a number of actions that could affect the continued development and use of renewable energy resources, especially offshore wind energy projects. These actions, which include orders halting the development or operation of individual projects, have resulted in numerous lawsuits. Several courts have ruled that the suspension orders and other executive actions announcing or implementing the Administration's offshore wind policies are unlawful, and the Department of the Interior (DOI) has indicated its intent to appeal those rulings. This Legal Sidebar provides an overview of the legal framework governing offshore wind energy development, discusses the Trump Administration's recent actions and related litigation, and identifies considerations for Congress.
Building A Heat Resilience Roadmap for the Gulf Region, Leigh Mante, Observer Research Foundation
The escalating heat challenge facing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will only worsen in the coming years. As they rapidly urbanize and diversify their economies towards non-oil activities, the urban heat island effect intensifies too, increasing demand for cooling. All these will continue to strain electricity grids and increase carbon emissions, propelling the region into a dangerous cycle of rising temperatures. Addressing the mounting risks of extreme heat is therefore an imperative for the Gulf’s long-term economic prosperity. The author explores the impacts of extreme heat across the region’s health, labor, supply chains, and infrastructure; analyses the GCC’s anticipatory heat policies and responsive sustainable cooling and climate-resilient adaptation policies; identifies key policy gaps; and offers feasible pathways to build a strategic heat resilience roadmap.
Physical science of climate change, effects
Arctic sea ice loss shifting from edge to interior increases cold surges in mid-latitude Asia, Wang et al., Atmospheric Research Open Access 10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.108944
Circulation of Baffin Bay and Hudson Bay waters on the Labrador shelf and into the subpolar North Atlantic, Duyck et al., Ocean Science Open Access pdf 10.5194/os-21-241-2025
Collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation would lead to substantial oceanic carbon release and additional global warming, Nian et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-026-03427-w
Global stalled tropical cyclones in a changing climate, Deng et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-026-71320-3
Global sunflower oil trade under COVID-19 and the Russia–Ukraine conflict: a complex network analysis of food system resilience and sustainable finance dynamics, Boz et al., Frontiers in Environmental Science Open Access pdf 10.3389/fenvs.2026.1757181
Identification of the Global Cloud-Clear Sky Transition Zone and Its Shortwave Radiation Effects, Yu et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 10.1029/2025jd045352
Increased ocean heat transport to the central Arctic despite a well working Barents Sea Cooling Machine, Eisner et al., Ocean Science Open Access pdf 10.5194/os-22-1073-2026
Long-Term Trends of Northern Hemisphere Marine Cold Air Outbreaks during Boreal Winter: Influence of Sea Ice Retreat and Atmospheric Circulation, Ran et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-24-0658.1
Three-stage response of the equatorial Pacific to CO? forcing controlled by shifting trade winds, Moreno-Chamarro et al., npj Climate and Atmospheric Science Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41612-026-01391-y
Observations of climate change, effects
Deadly heat stress conditions are already occurring, Perkins-Kirkpatrick et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-70485-1
Diverse Indicators of Climate Change for New Jersey and Vicinity, Cornish et al., Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 10.1175/jamc-d-24-0188.1
Instrumentation & observational methods of climate change, effects
Co-production of low technical readiness level climate science through prototyping with users. Prospects in a European case study, Delpiazzo et al., Environmental Science & Policy 10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104358
RusWeather-GF: A gap-filled daily weather dataset for Russia (1980–2023) with integrated topographic data, Margarita & Dmitriy, Atmospheric Research Open Access 10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.108935
Using analogue methods to identify trends in circulation patterns of midlatitude heatwaves, Thompson et al., Weather and Climate Extremes Open Access 10.1016/j.wace.2026.100898
Using appropriate methods to assess population exposure to extreme weather events: Why and how?, ZHENG et al., Advances in Climate Change Research Open Access 10.1016/j.accre.2026.03.007
Modeling, simulation & projection of climate change, effects
Constrained Projection of the Pacific Walker Circulation Strength beyond 2100 under Continued Global Warming, Sun et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0371.1
Expansion of Antarctic surface melt through the 21st century, Zheng et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-71114-7
Exploring climate stabilisation at different global warming levels in ACCESS-ESM-1.5, King et al., Earth System Dynamics Open Access 10.5194/esd-15-1353-2024
The impact of land cover change-climate interactions on ecosystem productivity in the Arctic-Boreal region, Li et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111137
Advancement of climate & climate effects modeling, simulation & projection
Intermodel Spread in the Winter-Mean Strength of the Arctic Polar Vortex in CMIP6 Models, de la Cámara et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0301.1
Investigating expectations and needs regarding the use of large language models at Bavarian university clinics, Vladika et al., Scientific Reports Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41598-026-45245-2
Machine learning for numerical weather and climate modelling: a review, de Burgh-Day & Leeuwenburg, Geoscientific Model Development Open Access pdf 10.5194/gmd-16-6433-2023
Optimizing GCM ensemble selection and weighted MME development for improved drought projection under global climate models simulations, Shakeel et al., Natural Hazards 10.1007/s11069-026-08082-0
Persistent climate model biases in the Atlantic Ocean's freshwater transport, van Westen & Dijkstra, Ocean Science Open Access 10.5194/os-20-549-2024
Physics-constrained generative machine learning-based high-resolution downscaling of Greenland's surface mass balance and surface temperature, Bochow et al., The Cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-20-1841-2026
Structural Similarity Assessment of Precipitation and Temperature in NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 Simulations over the Contiguous United States, Dahal et al., Journal of Hydrometeorology 10.1175/jhm-d-25-0163.1
Cryosphere & climate change
Expansion of Antarctic surface melt through the 21st century, Zheng et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-71114-7
Local forcing mechanisms challenge parameterizations of ocean thermal forcing for Greenland tidewater glaciers, Hager et al., The Cryosphere Open Access pdf 10.5194/tc-18-911-2024
Physics-constrained generative machine learning-based high-resolution downscaling of Greenland's surface mass balance and surface temperature, Bochow et al., The Cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-20-1841-2026
Sea level & climate change
Physics-constrained generative machine learning-based high-resolution downscaling of Greenland's surface mass balance and surface temperature, Bochow et al., The Cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-20-1841-2026
Paleoclimate & paleogeochemistry
Enhanced Tropical Pacific Foraminiferal Carbonate Pump During the Last Deglaciation Linked to Ocean Warming, Qin et al., Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 10.1029/2025pa005352
Biology & climate change, related geochemistry
Beavers on Ice: Factors Influencing Emergence Phenology in Boreal Canada, Hood & Patriquin, Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.70833
Biochemical remodelling of phytoplankton cell composition under climate change, Sharoni et al., Nature Climate Change Open Access 10.1038/s41558-026-02598-w
Characterisation of past marine heatwaves around South Pacific Island countries: what really matters?, Lal et al., Ocean Science Open Access 10.5194/os-22-1023-2026
Contemporary biodiversity pattern is affected by climate change at multiple temporal scales in steppes on the Mongolian Plateau, Li et al., Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.5194/bg-20-2869-2023
Improved Characterization of Coral Bleaching Patterns From a Percentile-Based Threshold Model, Li Shing Hiung et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2025gl119516
Microbial dormancy under freeze–thaw cycling regulates alpine soil responses to warming, Qi et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-026-03451-w
Transgenerational Heat Exposure Triggers Unexpected Compensatory Sex Ratio Responses in a Temperature-Sensitive Fish Under Climate Warming, Ecker?Eckhofen et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.70807
GHG sources & sinks, flux, related geochemistry
A global methane observation system to track climate feedbacks for verifiable climate impact, Watts et al., Science 10.1126/science.aef0459
A multi-year global methane data set obtained by merging observations from TROPOMI and IASI, Shahzadi et al., Earth System Science Data Open Access 10.5194/essd-18-2153-2026
Bridging the Gap From Peat to Ponds: Terrestrial and Aquatic Greenhouse Gas Emissions in an Evolving Permafrost-Associated Subarctic Peatland, Burnett et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences Open Access 10.1029/2025jg009509
Climate-Driven Tree Mortality Alters the Timing and Magnitude of Forest Carbon Uptake in the Conterminous United States, Yang & Anderegg, Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2025gl120746
Extreme 2016 El Niño heatwave weakened carbon export and respiration in the Equatorial Pacific, Arteaga et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-026-03441-y
Graminoids Increase Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Thawed Permafrost at the End of the Growing Season, Mollenkopf et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.70783
Increased Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks Associate With Stronger Calcium–Microbial and Multi-Trophic Interactions Under Warming, Xiao et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.70826
Legacy effects of extreme precipitation sustain carbon sink of a subtropical forest, Deng et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111142
Nine years of warming and nitrogen addition in the Tibetan grassland promoted loss of soil organic carbon but did not alter the bulk change of chemical structure, Sun et al., Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.5194/bg-21-575-2024
CO2 capture, sequestration science & engineering
Capacity assessment of CO2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers: insights from mindong no. 1 mine, Liang et al., Frontiers in Earth Science Open Access 10.3389/feart.2026.1770358
Carbon cycle feedbacks in an idealized simulation and a scenario simulation of negative emissions in CMIP6 Earth system models, Asaadi et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-21-411-2024
CO2 subsurface mineral storage by its co-injection with recirculating water, Oelkers et al., Nature Open Access 10.1038/s41586-026-10130-5
From rejection to reliance on carbon capture and storage in Denmark: a case of mitigation deterrence?, Hougaard & Christiansen, Environmental Politics Open Access 10.1080/09644016.2026.2638045
Research on CCUS Source–Sink Matching and Its Cluster Deployment for Coal-Fired Power Plants in North China, Fang et al., Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology 10.1002/ghg.70031
Decarbonization
Building façade photovoltaics enhance global climate resilience, Jiang et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-026-02606-z
Future rooftop photovoltaics will weaken carbon mitigation but offer promising water and land benefits, Yuan et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-026-70923-0
Redirecting current solves a shadowy problem faced by perovskite solar cells, , Nature Open Access 10.1038/d41586-026-00921-1
The “Nuclear Energy Paradox”- Investigating nuclear imaginaries in energy projections, Böse et al., Energy Research & Social Science Open Access 10.1016/j.erss.2026.104676
Geoengineering climate
Solar Geoengineering Effects on Malaria Transmission Risk in South Asia Under G6sulfur Scenario, Hussain et al., International Journal of Climatology Open Access 10.1002/joc.70365
Climate change communications & cognition
Climate denial and the classroom: a review, Kutney, Geoscience Communication Open Access pdf 10.5194/gc-8-81-2025
Curvilinear relationship between climate advocates’ word-deed consistency and public willingness to follow, Chen & Tam, Journal of Environmental Psychology Open Access 10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.103022
Employing Comics Storytelling to Promote Climate Change Mitigation: An Experimental Study Grounded on the Situational Theory of Public, Guo et al., Risk Analysis 10.1111/risa.70234
Intersecting identities: sociodemographic heterogeneity in right-wing climate attitudes in the UK, Miao, Environmental Sociology Open Access 10.1080/23251042.2026.2648028
Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Climate Emotions: Stories from Nevada, Kelley et al., Weather, Climate, and Society 10.1175/wcas-d-24-0121.1
Understanding the Role of Climate Skepticism in Climate Change Adaptation: A Case Study of Western U.S. Ranchers, Hunt et al., Weather, Climate, and Society 10.1175/wcas-d-25-0132.1
Agronomy, animal husbundry, food production & climate change
Effect of Heat Stress on Wheat Quality and Its Heterogeneity: A Global Meta-Analysis, Liu et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.70822
Institutional pathways to climate-resilient agriculture: comparative adaptation governance in Kenya and Zimbabwe, Baraka Munyaka et al., Climate and Development Open Access 10.1080/17565529.2026.2615652
Interpreting carbon-water trade-offs in Daisy crop model using Pareto-based calibration, Delhez et al., Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.5194/bg-23-2079-2026
Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Indian Food System: A Cradle-to-Consumption Assessment, Priyadarsani et al., Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology 10.1002/ghg.70020
Multi-Indicator Assessment to Assess the Increasing Impacts of Compound Dry and Hot Events on Global Wheat Yield, Hu et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2025ef007084
Towards climate-smart crops: advances in plant stress biology research, Senthil-Kumar, Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology Open Access pdf 10.1007/s13562-026-01060-4
Hydrology, hydrometeorology & climate change
2021–23: Extreme Years of Global Drought in the Context of Long- and Short-Term Hydroclimate Trends, Samara et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0342.1
Characteristics of Extreme Daily Precipitation Events in the Hydropower Basin of Chongqing (1981–2023) during the Autumn Rainy Season, Liu et al., Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 10.1175/jamc-d-25-0112.1
Emerging energy signals advance early warnings of extreme precipitation, Zhang et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-026-71214-4
Freshwater Availability in the Mississippi River Basin and Adjacent Texas Aquifers Under Human and Climate Pressures, Rateb et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2025ef006653
On the Future of Extreme Rainfall in New Zealand, Sigid et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2025ef007427
Climate change economics
Quantifying climate loss and damage consistent with a social cost of carbon, Burke et al., Nature Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41586-026-10272-6
Climate change mitigation public policy research
Climate Policy Uncertainty and Corporate Green Innovation Bubbles: Increasing or Suppressing?, Liu et al., Weather, Climate, and Society 10.1175/wcas-d-25-0174.1
Does sludge slow down the solar schools scheme? An assessment of administrative burdens preventing climate action in Ireland, Lades et al., Energy Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.enpol.2026.115268
Regional climate policy networks and media visibility: Multilevel governance and discursive dynamics in Atlantic Canada, Stoddart et al., Environmental Science & Policy 10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104368
Why Climate Policy is (not) Needed: An Explorative Framing Analysis of Party Manifestos Across the EU, Walgrave & Van Aelst, Environmental Communication 10.1080/17524032.2026.2638865
Climate change adaptation & adaptation public policy research
Climate Adaptation Self-Efficacy is Positively Associated with Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from 26 countries, Lou & Li, Journal of Environmental Psychology Open Access 10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.103018
Extreme climate outcomes could still occur with just 2 °C of global warming, Warren, Nature 10.1038/d41586-026-00640-7
Household energy use response to extreme heat with a biophysical model of temperature regulation: An Arizona case study, Hughes et al., PLOS Climate Open Access 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000110
Integrating climate adaptation and peacebuilding: capacity development in climate and conflict-affected communities, Taborda et al., Global Environmental Change Open Access 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2026.103151
Moderate global warming does not rule out extreme global climate outcomes, Bevacqua et al., Nature Open Access 10.1038/s41586-026-10237-9
Multi-level analysis of climate change mainstreaming in Tanzania, Kitogo et al., Climate Policy Open Access 10.1080/14693062.2026.2648065
Resilience to climate shocks in Guatemala: Disability-related inequalities, Pinilla-Roncancio et al., PLOS Climate Open Access 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000712
Climate change impacts on human health
Deadly heat stress conditions are already occurring, Perkins-Kirkpatrick et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-70485-1
Preparing for tomorrow: Iranian medical students’ attitudes toward climate change and its integration into the medical curriculum, Kohan et al., BMC Medical Education Open Access 10.1186/s12909-026-09093-y
Other
On the climate justice front: Co-producing prefigurative politics in ‘Ecodefence! and others vs. Russia’ climate case in the European Court of Human Rights, Sokolova, Environmental Politics 10.1080/09644016.2026.2648375
Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives
Challenges and Opportunities for National-Scale Projections of Future Coastal Landscape Change, Lentz et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2024ef005833
Implications of overshoot for climate mitigation strategies, Tavoni et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-026-02563-7
Who Goes Without: Water Insecurity Experiences the Across Americas, Young et al., Northwestern University
The authors of a study of 17 countries in the Americas, including the U.S., found that no country or income group is immune to water insecurity, and that the prevalence of water insecurity varies widely within and across the Americas. The authors used survey data collected from 27,000 individuals about their experiences with water.
Insurify Projects Home Insurance Rates Will Rise for the 5th Consecutive Year, After a 12% Increase in 2025, Matt Brannon, Insurify
The average annual cost of home insurance rose 12% in 2025 to $2,948. The author projects the average will climb to $3,057 by the end of 2026, a further 4% increase. Since 2021, the average cost of home insurance has risen 46%, about three times as much as inflation (16%). Florida is still the most expensive state for home insurance. The typical annual premium ($8,292) is more than double the national average, following an 18% spike in 2025. The author projects California premiums will increase 16% by the end of the year, the largest anticipated hike for any state. To recover wildfire losses, insurers may ask for higher rate increases, but California’s strict regulatory system could constrain those increases. Minnesota home insurance rates surged by 34% in 2025, an increase of nearly $900, bringing the state’s average annual policy to $3,530. The affordability gap in premiums between high- and low-cost states widened in 2025. On average, premiums rose nearly three times faster in the 25 most expensive states for home insurance than in the 25 cheapest states (14% vs. 5%)
Plano CLimate 2024-2035 (Brazil's Climate Plan), Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança do Clima Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação Casa Civil da Presidência da República (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic)
O Plano Clima é um plano com a cara do Brasil, pois buscou alinhar o rigor técnico, baseado na melhor ciência disponível e nas evidências dos mais diversos setores, com a escuta ativa e qualificada da população brasileira, que demonstrou compromisso coletivo para construir um futuro mais seguro, resiliente e sustentável. Nas páginas deste Plano, apresentamos um caminho para o Brasil enfrentar a mudança climática, visando à promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável, da geração de empregos e da inclusão social. Ele se organiza em três eixos estratégicos complementares (The Climate Plan is a plan with the face of Brazil, as it sought to align the technical rigour, based on the best available science and evidence from the more diverse sectors, with active and qualified listening to the population that has demonstrated a collective commitment to building a a safer, more resilient and sustainable future. On the pages of this Plan, we present a way for Brazil to face climate change, aiming at the promotion of sustainable development, the generation of jobs and social inclusion. It is organized into three strategic axes complementary.)
The Integrity Gap: Restoring Trust in the Climate and Energy Debate (Australia), Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy, Commonwealth of Australia
The committee recommends the Australian Government support and adopt the United Nations Global Principles on Information Integrity and work to coordinate the application of these principles across government; the Australian Government officially endorse the Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change launched at COP30 in Belem, Brazil; the Australian Government increase funding for social sciences research relating to threats to climate and energy information integrity including potential solutions; the Australian Government improve the quality of data reported to the Australian Communications and Media Authority from the digital platforms to include for example, thematic breakdown of their reporting inclusive of climate and energy data, denominator data, removal actions and paid advertising related to climate and energy; and that the Australian Government task the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation to provide advice on the costs and benefits of renewable energy creation, storage and transmission alongside clean manufacturing to create data needed to address local social licence concerns.,
2025-26 Ecosystem Status Report, Hunsicker et al., Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers
Chapter 2, Climate and Ocean Drivers. Key Message: The California Current during 2025 experienced a strong marine heatwave (MHW) which contributed to record breaking surface temperatures offshore during the summer, compression of cold water habitat towards the coast, and coastal warming during the late summer through mid winter. However, because upwelling was persistent and strong during the summer, nearshore waters remained cool, promoting favorable productive conditions coastally during this key period. Additionally, there were several unusual pulses of strong upwelling nearly coastwide in January and February, which may have contributed to harmful algal blooms. Bottom oxygen levels were mostly favorable. Snowpack was above normal at the start of the year in most western regions, however, warmer-than-normal spring storms and then continued warm weather led to early melt and reduced snowpack. Reduced snowpack and precipitation then contributed to some areas of drought during the summer. Streams were warmer than normal and flows were low during late summer, similar to past years.
From vulnerability to resilience: Guidelines for assessing climate change impacts in agricultural heritage systems, Santivañez et al., Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The authors present an eight-step guide to assess vulnerability and resilience to climate change impacts in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems and in agricultural systems with similar characteristics. With a particular focus on Europe and Central Asia, the guide supports practitioners in designing and implementing context-specific climate vulnerability assessments that strengthen adaptive capacity and promote dynamic conservation. The framework has been developed through the analysis and comparison of four pilot cases: La Axarquía and L’Horta de València in Spain, Ifugao in the Philippines, and Cantal in France. Drawing on lessons learned, methodological advances and cross-case insights, the publication consolidates diverse experiences into a harmonized and practical approach grounded in scientific rigor. The guide provides step-by-step methodological guidance that can be adapted to different ecological, socio-economic and cultural contexts. It aims to assist site managers, national institutions and technical partners in identifying climate risks, evaluating system sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and translating findings into concrete planning and management actions. By bridging analytical assessment and policy-oriented application, the publication contributes to strengthening the resilience of traditional agricultural systems facing increasing climate variability. It also promotes informed decision-making and encourages cooperation among stakeholders working toward the long-term sustainability of agricultural heritage systems in a changing climate.
Africa’s just transition opportunity: decolonising economic transformation for climate resilience, Fadhel Kaboub and Mohamed Adow, Earth4All
The authors provide an analytical framework for understanding the root causes of Africa’s economic challenges and articulate an alternative pathway of strategic opportunities for the continent to unleash its full potential as a renewable energy economic powerhouse.
Escaping the Multipolar Trap in Global Climate Negotiations: A Deliberative Negotiation Technology and Simpol-Based Simulation, Thiessen et al., Toda Peace Institute
The authors examine how deliberative technologies can restructure climate negotiation architecture to enable multi-issue, mutually beneficial agreements that can be simultaneously implemented without undermining relative competitiveness. Using a Smartsettle Infinity simulation of an alternative global climate negotiation architecture, the authors demonstrate how private preference modelling, structured trade-offs, and optimization algorithms can generate Pareto-superior policy packages at the global scale. The contribution lies in illustrating a deliberative decision-support architecture capable of identifying coordinated, politically viable outcome packages under realistic strategic constraints. The findings point toward new pathways for coupling deliberative negotiation technology with citizen-driven political mobilization to strengthen global climate governance.
Building A Heat Resilience Roadmap for the Gulf Region, Leigh Mante, Observer Research Foundation
The escalating heat challenge facing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will only worsen in the coming years. As they rapidly urbanize and diversify their economies towards non-oil activities, the urban heat island effect intensifies too, increasing demand for cooling. All these will continue to strain electricity grids and increase carbon emissions, propelling the region into a dangerous cycle of rising temperatures. Addressing the mounting risks of extreme heat is therefore an imperative for the Gulf’s long-term economic prosperity. The author explores the impacts of extreme heat across the region’s health, labor, supply chains, and infrastructure; analyses the GCC’s anticipatory heat policies and responsive sustainable cooling and climate-resilient adaptation policies; identifies key policy gaps; and offers feasible pathways to build a strategic heat resilience roadmap.
Trump Administration Actions to Curtail Offshore Wind Energy Development Meet Judicial Resistance, Adam Vann, Congressional Research Service
In 2025 the Trump Administration took a number of actions that could affect the continued development and use of renewable energy resources, especially offshore wind energy projects. These actions, which include orders halting the development or operation of individual projects, have resulted in numerous lawsuits. Several courts have ruled that the suspension orders and other executive actions announcing or implementing the Administration's offshore wind policies are unlawful, and the Department of the Interior (DOI) has indicated its intent to appeal those rulings. This Legal Sidebar provides an overview of the legal framework governing offshore wind energy development, discusses the Trump Administration's recent actions and related litigation, and identifies considerations for Congress.
Flood Risk Mitigation: Reducing Fiscal Exposure and Improving Affordability, Alicia Puente Cackley, United States Government Accountability Office
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers three primary programs that mitigate flood risk for properties insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A small number of these properties—known as repetitive loss properties, which have flooded and received claim payments multiple times—contribute to the program’s fiscal challenges. According to FEMA, unmitigated repetitive loss properties make up about 2.5 percent of NFIP policies, but 48 percent of NFIP claims by dollar value have been paid to properties with two or more losses. NFIP represents a fiscal exposure to the federal government because FEMA is statutorily required to charge premium rates that do not fully reflect flood risk. Although mitigation reduces flood losses, it also requires substantial investment. Without addressing mitigation challenges, the number of repetitive loss properties will continue to grow, increasing costs to NFIP policyholders and federal taxpayers. One way to address the program’s fiscal exposure is to target mitigation efforts to those properties contributing most to the premium shortfall. These may disproportionately include repetitive loss properties, which face greater flood risk and higher full-risk premiums. By reducing risk, mitigation could also address affordability in the long term.
Evaluation of Risks to Federal Facility Superfund Site Remedies from Wildfires, Office of Inspector General, US. Environmental Protection Agency
Using mapping software, U.S. Forest Service datasets, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Risk Index, the authors identified which federal facility Superfund sites may be at risk from wildfires and examined whether their five-year review reports, if available, addressed potential impacts. Not all the necessary mapping data were available for the U.S. territories. Thus, the authors were able to map and analyze only the 155 federal facility Superfund sites in the contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. Of the 155 federal facility Superfund sites that were analyzed, 31 of them, or 20 percent, have potential wildfire risks. 71 percent of the at-risk sites are in the western United States in EPA Regions 8, 9, and 10.
Evaluation of Risks to Federal Facility Superfund Site Remedies from Inland Flooding, Office of Inspector General, US. Environmental Protection Agency
Using mapping software and the EPA’s “Heavy Precipitation” and “Height Above Nearest Drainage” datasets, the authors identified which federal facility Superfund sites may be at risk from flooding and examined whether their five-year review reports, if available, addressed the potential impacts. These mapping data were not available for Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. territories. Thus, the authors were able to map and analyze only the 148 federal facility Superfund sites in the contiguous United States. Of the 148 federal facility Superfund sites that were analyzed, 47 of them, or 32 percent, have potential inland flooding risks. These threatened sites are spread across the United States.
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Posted by Doug Bostrom on Thursday, 2 April, 2026
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