Catamist News

UN Report Urges Urgent Global Overhaul as Environmental Decline Accelerates, Threatening Trillions

The UN Environment Programme's new GEO-7 report, released on December 9, 2025, issues a dire warning that accelerating environmental decline poses an existential threat to global economies and human well-being, with climate change alone potentially cutting 4% off annual global GDP by 2050. Despite this grim outlook, the report offers a hopeful pathway, urging a shift beyond GDP and advocating for circular economy models and decarbonization, projecting that investments in planetary health could yield US$20 trillion annually by 2070 and significantly improve human lives.

5 min read

Global Leaders Convene in Nairobi to Tackle Environmental Crises at UNEA-7

Representatives from over 170 nations have convened in Nairobi, Kenya, for the seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), the world's highest-level environmental decision-making body, to tackle the urgent "triple planetary crises" of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. This five-day conference, themed "Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet," brings together nearly 6,000 participants to forge decisive, science-based actions and shape global environmental policy through deliberations on 15 draft resolutions.

Southeast Asia Grapples with Catastrophic Flooding as Cyclone Toll Rises

Tropical cyclones Senyar and Ditwah have unleashed unprecedented devastation across Southeast Asia, causing thousands of fatalities and widespread destruction in Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. The catastrophic events, including a rare cyclone formation in the Strait of Malacca, have displaced hundreds of thousands and resulted in significant economic damage, particularly impacting Thailand's tourism sector.

Plastic Recycling Deemed "Costly Failure" as Rates Plummet, Corporations Accused of Decades of Deception

A new Greenpeace USA report, "Merchants of Myth," reveals the stark failure of plastic recycling in the U.S., with only 5-6% of commonly produced plastics actually being recycled, a significant drop from 9.5% in 2014. The report accuses major corporations of actively misleading the public about recycling's viability and retracting sustainability commitments, ultimately concluding that plastic recycling is not a solution to the escalating pollution crisis.

Air Pollution Reduction Unmasks Accelerated Global Warming, Study Reveals

A new University of Washington study reveals that reducing air pollution has an unexpected side effect: it causes clouds to reflect less sunlight, thereby accelerating global warming. This "aerosol masking effect" means that climate change is progressing faster than previously understood, necessitating a re-evaluation of current mitigation strategies.

EU Bolsters Environmental Protection with Landmark International Agreement

The European Union significantly bolstered its fight against environmental crime by formally signing the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law on December 3, 2025. This pivotal agreement, which defines criminal offenses and establishes minimum penalties, complements the EU's 2024 Directive to create a robust, unified framework for deterring and prosecuting illicit activities that harm natural ecosystems.

Putin Arrives in New Delhi for Crucial India Visit Amidst Geopolitical Pressures

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a two-day state visit, his first to India since the Ukraine conflict began, highlighting the enduring "special and privileged strategic partnership" between the two nations. This high-stakes meeting, amidst Western pressure on India, aims to reinforce bilateral ties through discussions on trade, energy cooperation, and geopolitical issues, despite India's consistent neutral stance on the conflict.

Asia Grapples with Unprecedented Cyclones and Extreme Rainfall, UN Agencies Warn of Escalating Crisis

Record-breaking rains and a succession of tropical storms have unleashed widespread devastation across Southeast Asia, claiming nearly 800 lives and displacing over a million people. This catastrophic event, impacting nations like Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, underscores the severe humanitarian toll of climate change and the region's increasing vulnerability to extreme weather.

Borneo's Orangutan Habitat Under Siege as Palm Oil Firm Clears UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

A palm oil company is urgently clearing critical rainforest within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Borneo, threatening endangered species and Indigenous Dayak communities. This destructive activity by PT Equator Sumber Rezeki, a subsidiary of First Borneo Group, has already razed nearly 1,500 hectares of orangutan habitat, despite the parent company's "zero-deforestation" pledges, leading to calls for immediate government intervention.

Devastating Floods and Landslides Claim Over 1,000 Lives Across Southeast Asia

Catastrophic floods and landslides have swept across South and Southeast Asia, claiming over 1,000 lives and displacing hundreds of thousands in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia. Sri Lanka, particularly hard-hit by Cyclone Ditwah with 334 fatalities, declared a state of emergency amidst widespread devastation that experts attribute to the climate crisis.

Unprecedented Warmth Grips UK and Europe, Raising Climate Change Alarms

Europe is experiencing unprecedented December warmth, with temperatures 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above average, a phenomenon attributed to climate change, an erratic jet stream, and warm Atlantic winds. This unusual weather poses significant threats to the agricultural sector, disrupting crop cycles and increasing pest activity, while also highlighting Europe's status as the fastest-warming continent.

Cyclone Ditwah Unleashes Devastation in Sri Lanka, India Rushes Aid Amidst Mounting Crisis

Cyclone Ditwah has unleashed catastrophic flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, claiming at least 123 lives and leaving 130 missing in the nation's worst flooding crisis in two decades. With nearly 15,000 homes destroyed and 44,000 displaced, the Sri Lankan government declared a State of Public Emergency, while neighboring India swiftly launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' to deliver critical humanitarian aid.

5 min read

Environment News

UN Report Urges Urgent Global Overhaul as Environmental Decline Accelerates, Threatening Trillions

Global Leaders Convene in Nairobi to Tackle Environmental Crises at UNEA-7

Southeast Asia Grapples with Catastrophic Flooding as Cyclone Toll Rises

Plastic Recycling Deemed "Costly Failure" as Rates Plummet, Corporations Accused of Decades of Deception

Air Pollution Reduction Unmasks Accelerated Global Warming, Study Reveals

EU Bolsters Environmental Protection with Landmark International Agreement

Putin Arrives in New Delhi for Crucial India Visit Amidst Geopolitical Pressures

Asia Grapples with Unprecedented Cyclones and Extreme Rainfall, UN Agencies Warn of Escalating Crisis

Borneo's Orangutan Habitat Under Siege as Palm Oil Firm Clears UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Devastating Floods and Landslides Claim Over 1,000 Lives Across Southeast Asia

Unprecedented Warmth Grips UK and Europe, Raising Climate Change Alarms

Cyclone Ditwah Unleashes Devastation in Sri Lanka, India Rushes Aid Amidst Mounting Crisis

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Environment News

UN Report Urges Urgent Global Overhaul as Environmental Decline Accelerates, Threatening Trillions

Global Leaders Convene in Nairobi to Tackle Environmental Crises at UNEA-7

Southeast Asia Grapples with Catastrophic Flooding as Cyclone Toll Rises

Plastic Recycling Deemed "Costly Failure" as Rates Plummet, Corporations Accused of Decades of Deception

Air Pollution Reduction Unmasks Accelerated Global Warming, Study Reveals

EU Bolsters Environmental Protection with Landmark International Agreement

Putin Arrives in New Delhi for Crucial India Visit Amidst Geopolitical Pressures

Asia Grapples with Unprecedented Cyclones and Extreme Rainfall, UN Agencies Warn of Escalating Crisis

Borneo's Orangutan Habitat Under Siege as Palm Oil Firm Clears UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Devastating Floods and Landslides Claim Over 1,000 Lives Across Southeast Asia

Unprecedented Warmth Grips UK and Europe, Raising Climate Change Alarms

Cyclone Ditwah Unleashes Devastation in Sri Lanka, India Rushes Aid Amidst Mounting Crisis

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