COP29 in Baku struggles to secure financial commitments from wealthy nations for clean energy in developing countries, amid global tensions and skepticism. Experts predict a final declaration focusing on social issues over geopolitical statements, while activists adapt to protest restrictions through creative expressions.

Nearly 500 polar scientists gathered in Australia for an emergency summit to discuss Antarctica's alarming ice loss and its impact on global sea levels. The region is losing 17 million tonnes of ice per hour, threatening to raise sea levels by 80 cm by 2100 if emissions aren't curbed.

The Arctic is rapidly losing ice cover, with potential for complete summer melts in coming decades, posing severe global environmental and geopolitical challenges. Rising sea levels threaten coastal regions, while thawing permafrost could exacerbate climate change, affecting biodiversity and indigenous communities, as nations vie for control over new shipping routes and untapped resources.

At COP29 in Baku, Caribbean and Pacific island leaders implored global action to adhere to the Paris Agreement, citing alarming sea-level rise threatening their existence. Grenada and Tuvalu highlighted immediate climate impacts like saltwater intrusion and cultural erosion, urging urgent intervention as island nations face existential threats.

Rising sea levels in South Florida, projected to increase by two feet by 2050, are deterring homebuyers from flood-prone areas. This trend is part of a broader shift as climate change reshapes migration, with many moving north to escape extreme heat and frequent hurricanes.

Cities worldwide are taking the lead in climate action, demanding $800 billion annually from governments to support urban initiatives amid worsening climate impacts. As 2024 approaches, projected to be the hottest year, urban leaders stress the need for decisive investment to manage extreme weather challenges and enhance resilience.

Weather-related disasters displaced 6.6 million people globally in 2023, with Asia bearing the brunt. Experts urge for fair carbon pricing and a revamped COP process to address climate-induced displacements.

At the UN climate summit, athletes like Pragnya Mohan and Katie Rood voiced concerns about climate change's threat to sports, highlighting rising temperatures' impact on training and events. Despite sports organizations attempting adjustments, reliance on tech solutions and rising costs pose sustainability and socioeconomic challenges.

The ACM Gordon Bell Prize for Climate Modelling was awarded to a 12-member team for a project enhancing climate model outputs while saving petabytes of storage. Their work, leveraging exascale computing, improves climate simulations significantly, aiding policy and AI development.

Coral reefs, supporting over 30% of marine life, face extinction threats with 44% of species at risk, driven by climate change and increasing sea temperatures. Urgent global action is needed, as highlighted by experts, to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve coral adaptability, especially with significant declines noted in regions like the Florida Keys.

At COP29, the World Meteorological Organization emphasized the necessity of precise climate data for improving urban health and food systems. Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett highlighted the challenges posed by urban expansion and climate change, noting the critical role of integrated data to support decision-making across sectors.

At COP29, agriculture's role in climate change was spotlighted, with experts warning that emissions from farming could undermine climate goals. Over 30 nations pledged to cut methane from food waste, while funding for climate-smart agriculture surged to $29.2 billion, highlighting a push for systemic change ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

The International Court of Justice will hold pivotal hearings in December 2024 on states' climate change obligations, potentially shaping future climate policies and justice. This follows a UN resolution and sees wide global participation, emphasizing accountability for major polluters through legal precedent and human rights frameworks.

A Nature Climate Change article stresses urgent climate action this decade for a sustainable future, citing the IPCC 2023 report. It advocates for inclusive, just development and political shifts, with international authors highlighting the necessity of immediate change.

As COP29 looms, the climate summit highlights the dire need to address the climate crisis's impact on vulnerable populations, especially in low-income nations. Proposals include enhanced financial support and co-financing mechanisms to mitigate health risks and bolster resilience amid alarming global warming projections.

Sea levels are projected to rise by 3.2 feet by 2100, threatening over 14 million people and $1 trillion in property along the Southeast Atlantic coast. The study emphasizes a need for integrated climate resilience planning, as coastal erosion and subsidence exacerbate risks, particularly for vulnerable communities.

A new study by the Max Planck Institute warns that climate change could lead to 30 million deaths annually from air pollution and extreme temperatures by 2100. These findings highlight urgent public health risks, demanding immediate global action to mitigate the impact.

In 2023, the Mauna Loa Observatory reported an alarming 86% rise in atmospheric carbon due to weakened natural carbon sinks, despite a modest 0.6% increase in fossil fuel emissions. Extreme weather and a strong El Niño significantly impaired land ecosystems' ability to absorb carbon, raising concerns about the limits of Earth's carbon absorption capacity.

The World Meteorological Organization reports 2023 set records for greenhouse gases and extreme weather, marking it the warmest year on record. Despite these alarming trends, hedge funds are betting against green sectors, reflecting skepticism about their viability.