The concerns about genetically modified foods are well known. But when we look at population and climate projections, what happens if we don’t use them to increase our food supply?
Bill Gates pioneered the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, an initiative by 28 billionaires to push for more funding for clean energy.
EPA/Ian Langsdon
In the age of austerity, governments have limited resources to invest in new areas of research – like clean energy – that have multiple risks. Billionaires like Bill Gates can help plug the gap.
From New Year’s Eve, to Guy Fawkes night, to Diwali, fireworks are an exciting way to celebrate. But these dazzling displays come at a serious cost to the environment.
It’s a tall order - especially when it’s spelled out on the Eiffel Tower.
Reuters/Charles Platiau
How will the world actually deliver on the Paris climate ambition to hold global warming to no more than 1.5°C? It’s a tough scientific and technical challenge.
Forest conservation has been a contentious issue in international climate change discussions for years, but now developing countries are embracing the need to protect their forests.
The pressure to pledge for 1.5°C grew throughout the Paris summit.
Reuters/Jacky Naegelen
Bill Hare, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
The inclusion of a 1.5°C goal in the Paris climate deal might have surprised some observers. But in reality, the diplomatic groundwork was laid years before.
Laurent Fabius has brought the gavel down on a successful deal.
Reuters/Stephane Mahe
The Paris Agreement recognizes the reality of global environmental pacts: the private sector must lead transition to low-carbon technology and civil society must keep up the pressure to act.
Bringing down the gavel, and bringing down the house: French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius symbolically ended the Paris climate talks, applauded by UN climate chief Christiana Figueres.
Reuters/Stephane Mahe
What’s next, now that the Paris climate summit is over? We’ve created a special report for you, featuring two dozen of our best articles on the scientific, political and economic challenges ahead.
Researchers and NGOs will be necessary to ensure climate pledges are kept.
Reuters
The Paris climate deal has been criticised for not being strong enough. But behavioural economics studies show weak deals can work out better in the long run.
The Paris agreement introduces a new mechanism for international co-operation.
AAP/Samuel Boivin
Despite there being no reference to the words “market mechanism” or “carbon market” in the agreement, the agreement clearly establishes a new international carbon market mechanism.
Countries have agreed to keep the rise in global temperatures to “well below 2°C”.
NASA
Exhausted negotiators are still working hard to land the Paris climate. They haven’t saved the climate yet, but a Copenhagen-style diplomatic disaster has been avoided.