Find out more in
Extreme heat is a serious threat to human health, and climate change is making it more frequent and intense. Heat-related deaths have surged by 23% since the 1990s, with more than half a million lives lost every year. is a World Health Organization initiative to protect event-goers, workers and communities from the rising risks of extreme heat, air pollution and ultraviolet exposure. This video explains how Heat-Health Action Plans can help governments, communities, workplaces and event organizers prepare for and respond to extreme heat. It also highlights practical steps individuals can take: stay hydrated, rest in shaded or cool areas, use sun protection, recognize the signs of heat illness and look out for others. Together, we can Beat the Heat.
The past 11 years have been the hottest on record, a clear warning that climate change is no longer a distant threat. While there is still hope, urgent action is needed to accelerate progress. What is driving this crisis? Why do greenhouse gases and fossil fuels matter? What does the 1.5°C limit mean for our future? What are the consequences of inaction? And what can we do, both individually and collectively, to make a difference? Explore these questions in our Climate Change global issue, learn more on the UN Climate Action website, and create your own plan for action through the ActNow campaign.
Young people’s rights to a healthy environment, safe homes, decent work, health care, food and education are increasingly threatened by the climate crisis. As the largest generation in history, they are driving change as advocates, innovators, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs and community leaders. Yet barriers to resources, representation and decision-making persist. Empowering meaningful youth participation is essential to advancing climate justice, human rights, resilience, transparency and a sustainable future that leaves no one behind for generations to come. .
Extreme heat is no longer a future threat—it is a global crisis already claiming more lives each year than floods, storms and wildfires combined. As record-breaking temperatures and marine heat intensify, the strengthening is expected to push global temperatures even higher while disrupting rainfall patterns and increasing the risk of droughts, floods and . Yet proven solutions exist. Early warning systems, , nature-based solutions and resilient infrastructure can help protect lives and reduce the growing .
A child wades through water in Uvira, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, after El Niño-induced torrential rains caused Lake Tanganyika to overflow in 2024. El Niño is one of the world's strongest climate patterns, bringing droughts, floods and extreme weather that damage crops, disrupt markets and drive hunger in vulnerable communities. Because its impacts can be forecast months in advance, governments and humanitarian agencies have a critical window to act before food crises escalate. Through anticipatory action—such as cash assistance, food support, early-warning systems and climate monitoring—the World Food Programme helps families protect their livelihoods and reduce future losses.
Submit your best weather-inspired photograph to and showcase how weather, climate, and water shape our lives and planet.
The planet is sending signals we cannot ignore as emissions and intensify extreme heat, threatening lives worldwide.
As extreme heat intensifies worldwide, stronger monitoring, , and preparedness are essential to protect health and vulnerable communities.
In a special address at London Climate Action Week, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, draws on the latest scientific evidence to show how the worsening climate crisis and growing energy insecurity are rooted in continued fossil fuels dependence. He outlines a clear pathway to accelerate the transition to a more secure, resilient and sustainable energy future: one powered by renewable energy, strengthened international cooperation, and science-based action.
Extreme heat is one of the most urgent and fast-growing climate challenges facing cities today. Around the world, urban areas are experiencing more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves, affecting health, infrastructure, and daily life. Through the , cities are coming together to share solutions, strengthen resilience, and protect communities. From expanding green spaces and cooling public areas to improving urban design and early warning systems, cities are exploring people-centred approaches to stay safe in a warming world. Learn how cities are shaping a more resilient future.
Football teaches us that the greatest matches are played as a team. And the future is, too.
Across East Africa, climate change is driving displacement and disrupting livelihoods, from rising waters along Burundi’s Lake Tanganyika to recurrent flooding in Kenya’s informal settlements. As communities face growing climate pressures, young leaders are developing practical solutions to build resilience. In Burundi, supports flood-displaced families through reforestation, livestock distribution, and livelihood restoration. In Kenya, combines climate action with community development through improved waste management, environmental practices, and financial literacy. Supported by an climate mobility programme and grants, these youth-led initiatives demonstrate how local action can help communities adapt, recover, and thrive. Their work highlights the vital role of young people in addressing climate-driven displacement and building a more resilient future.
The limbo reimagined asks: How low can we go? How low can we keep global warming to safeguard our planet for future generations? In partnership with, the track Deep Down asks us to get moving, to get real, to stand up.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of El Niño developing between June and August 2026, with a more than 90% likelihood of persisting until at least November. Most climate models indicate a moderate to potentially strong event. Rising sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, supported by unusually warm subsurface waters and atmospheric indicators, confirm the developing conditions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres that El Niño could intensify the impacts of climate change and called for urgent climate action and support for vulnerable communities. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo , noting increased risks of droughts, heavy rainfall and heatwaves. WMO will continue monitoring conditions and issuing early warnings globally.