Visit our section with the published monthly newsletters

The planet is heading towards a period of unprecedented extreme heat

Noticias ONU, 05/28/2026

Synopsis: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) today published its most alarming update to date: Annual to Decadal Climate Predictions 2026-2035. Its findings paint a clear picture: the Earth is entering a decade of extreme heat, with temperature records almost guaranteed and climate risks on the rise, with the global average temperature between 2026 and 2030 projected to be between 1.3°C and 1.9°C above 1850-1900 levels. There is an 86% probability of an annual temperature record being broken, surpassing the all-time high recorded in 2024 (1.55°C).

"These projections do not mean we have failed the Paris Agreement," the document clarifies. "The 1.5°C threshold refers to 20-year averages, not individual years. But every fraction of a degree counts: the impacts intensify with each increase."

The Arctic will continue to warm at more than 3.5 times the global rate, accelerating the loss of sea ice in the Barents and Bering Seas. The Amazon will face drier conditions, increasing the risk of fires and water stress.

The report emphasizes that, although the trends are worrying, there is still room to influence the future climate. Every ton of CO? avoided counts. Every adaptation policy implemented saves lives.

Workers from Maderas del Orinoco warn of a wave of fires in the Uverito forest: "We are devastated"

C.Caroní, 05/24/2026

Synopsis: Representatives of the Maderas del Orinoco company denounced a wave of uncontrolled fires in the Uverito forest, which are not being "prevented or addressed by the company's management."

On May 15, a fire was reported that consumed approximately 1,500 hectares of Caribbean pine. This problem also occurred during the first half of 2024 and 2023.

Uverito is located between the states of Anzoátegui and Monagas and is the world's largest man-made forest, with around 600,000 hectares of Caribbean pine plantations. One hectare of pine trees captures an average of 10 tons of CO2 per year, and each tree generates 1 kg of oxygen annually.

However, by 2019, it was already reported that only 110,000 hectares remained productive due to burning and logging.

In 1919, the company merged with a Turkish firm. Since then, those affected claim that specialized personnel, such as forest firefighters, have been brought in, making the task of recovering Uverito increasingly monumental.

N.R. If so, it is necessary to investigate who benefited from such massive logging.

Chikungunya may spread due to climate change: which regions are at risk?

RT, 05/28/2026

Synopsis: A study published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology showed that climate change affects chikungunya primarily by altering the habitats of its mosquito vectors, according to study co-author Yang Wu. "Because this mosquito can tolerate cooler conditions than the yellow fever mosquito, warming may allow it to establish itself in areas that were previously too cold," he added.

Regions consistently appear as potential hotspots for the virus: northeastern North America, central and northern Europe, and East Asia.

According to official data, approximately 33,000 symptomatic cases of the virus have been reported worldwide so far in 2026, with nine deaths, most of them in South America.

Scientists recommend that regions identified as potential hotspots implement measures before 2040. These measures include mosquito surveillance, training for medical personnel, and vector control. and the preparation of rapid response plans.

Latin America and the Caribbean face increasingly extreme weather events

Noticias ONU, 05/18/2026

Synopsis: A new United Nations report warns that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events in Latin America and the Caribbean, where record heat, prolonged droughts, floods, and more intense tropical cyclones are exacerbating interconnected risks to health, water, agriculture, and livelihoods.

Latin America and the Caribbean experienced one of the most extreme years on record in 2025, marked by unprecedented heat (well above 40°C in large areas of Central and South America), persistent droughts, torrential rains, devastating cyclones, and the accelerated retreat of Andean glaciers, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The report warns that rising land and ocean temperatures, disruption of the water cycle, and melting ice are exacerbating risks that already affect health, water, agriculture, and livelihoods throughout the region.

According to the report, 2025 was one of the eight warmest years ever recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean. Heat waves were recurrent and intense, with temperatures reaching record highs.

In Mexicali, Mexico, thermometers reached 52.7 °C, a national record, while multiple heat waves pushed temperatures above 40 °C and 45 °C in various parts of Mesoamerica. In South America, Brazil recorded 44 °C in Rio de Janeiro, and Paraguay reached 44.8 °C in Mariscal Estigarribia.

According to the report, which uses data from 17 countries, an estimated 13,000 people died annually between 2012 and 2021 from heat-related causes.

Pope Leo XIV laments that wars have slowed progress in environmental protection

El Universal, 05/16/2026

Synopsis: Pope Leo XIV lamented that wars have drastically slowed global progress in environmental protection. The Pope's statement was made during a public address following the Regina Coeli prayer at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

During his address, the Bishop of Rome recalled the formal celebration of "Laudato si'" week, a global day dedicated exclusively to raising awareness and promoting care for creation, inspired by the encyclical of the same name originally published by Pope Francis.

Faced with the current geopolitical reality, the Holy Father offered a profound reflection to the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. "Unfortunately, in recent years, due to wars, progress in this field has been greatly slowed," the Catholic leader stated, analyzing the international ecological landscape.

Despite this bleak assessment, the successor of St. Peter expressly encouraged "all those working for integral ecology to renew their commitment, their care for peace, and their care for life."

Climate change and the Colombian presidential candidates: what they say about deforestation and energy

El País, 05/27/2026

Synopsis: The four leading candidates in the polls have put forward proposals on deforestation and energy, as well as the ambition of their decarbonization roadmaps.

Regarding deforestation, all agree that it must be eradicated. Their proposals range from reducing extensive livestock farming and replacing it with sustainable silvopastoral models, to strengthening real-time satellite monitoring and integrating it into the work of environmental authorities and law enforcement against criminal land-grabbing networks. They also propose the bioeconomy as a new engine of development and the expansion of sustainable production systems-including climate insurance models.

Regarding energy, the candidates diverge in their solutions. While some advocate halting hydrocarbon production, banning fracking, and decisively promoting wind and solar energy and energy communities, other proposals, while considering the possibility of developing renewable energy, advocate for the use of fracking. There is even talk of increasing oil production to a target of up to one million barrels per day.

N.R. Beyond the specific proposals, it is encouraging that environmental issues and climate change are on the agenda for government plans.

Germany slows down part of its energy transition

DW, 05/26/2026

Synopsis: The German government is seeking to repeal the core of the Heating Act passed by the previous government, which stipulates that only heating systems using at least 65% renewable energy can be installed. The law was to apply to all new heating systems within a few years.

A key component of this legislation is the use of "heat pumps," which are highly efficient heating systems that, through a technical process, transform ambient heat (from the air, ground, or groundwater) into usable heat for heating and hot water. They operate on the reverse principle of a refrigerator, do not require a chimney, and are particularly climate-friendly, as they run on 75% free ambient energy and only 25% electricity.

The proposed legislation aims to allow the continued installation of heating oil and gas systems with significantly lower levels of climate-friendly gas mixtures in existing buildings.

This government initiative has generated strong criticism, as the measure is considered "a declaration of bankruptcy in climate policy".

The EU plan to reduce pesticide use is weakened

es.euronews.com, 05/20/2026

Synopsis: The EU's promise to halve pesticide use is losing momentum after abandoning binding targets. Meanwhile, controversial chemicals like glyphosate remain authorized.

The EU continues to rank among the world's top ten pesticide users among countries with large agricultural areas. Its total pesticide sales in 2024 were 8 percent higher than the previous year.

Sales figures for 2024 showed an upward trend in the five main purchasing countries (Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Poland), with sales almost 10 percent higher than in 2023.

Most alarmingly, sales of highly hazardous pesticides, known for their potential harmful effects on people and the environment, increased by 27 percent overall in 2024 compared to the previous year. These included glyphosate, a controversial pesticide linked to cancer risk and miscarriages, whose sales grew by more than 44 percent between 2015 and 2024.

Venezuela estimates planting 400,000 trees with the "Sucre Sows Life" plan

Últimas Noticias, 05/22/2026

Synopsis: Approximately 400,000 trees are expected to be planted in Sucre state as part of the "Sucre Sows Life" reforestation plan, which will be promoted by the Ministry of Ecosocialism in conjunction with the state government.

The project, which aims to protect the state's forested areas and watersheds, also seeks to curb the accelerated deforestation and the effects of climate change that have negatively impacted water sources and agricultural production in this region of eastern Venezuela.

New study discovers that Greenland's melting ice released large reserves of methane trapped beneath the seabed

ecoinventos.com, 05/18/2026

Synopsis: A study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that meltwater rapidly destabilized methane hydrates beneath Greenland during glacial retreat.

Evidence was found that meltwater penetrated underwater sediments and destabilized methane hydrate deposits, icy structures that store gas under high pressure and low temperatures.

Until now, it was assumed that these hydrates degraded slowly due to the gradual increase in ocean temperature or pressure changes. This study reveals a different perspective. Freshwater from meltwater rapidly alters the chemical conditions of the sediments, facilitating the release of methane. This makes methane hydrates a kind of "sleeping giant" of the climate system. It is estimated that around 1,800 gigatons of methane are stored beneath permafrost and continental margins. A colossal figure.

The problem is that the Arctic is warming almost four times faster than the global average. Greenland is losing ice at an increasing rate and pouring enormous amounts of freshwater into the ocean every summer. It's not just about melting ice. It's about a connected climate system where seemingly local changes can trigger global responses.

Furthermore, new research in Alaska and Canada shows that permafrost contains more carbon than initially thought. Some of that carbon can be converted into methane when conditions change.

We are all migrants, and climate change will accelerate this.

El País, 05/21/2026

Synopsis: In 2023, the Americas recorded 2.1 million new internal displacements due to natural disasters, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). Climate models show that some dry regions will become even more arid in the coming decades, increasing pressure on livelihoods. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, hurricanes, and storms reduce habitability and affect activities such as fishing and tourism.

While migration is a constant and inherent process for humanity, in recent decades it has been exacerbated by climate change.

Latin America and the Caribbean are especially vulnerable to climate change, due to structural inequality, the overexploitation of natural resources, and high population density. This raises the need to reconstruct frameworks and approaches that allow us to address migration with a more humane and holistic perspective, tackling the social, cultural, and economic challenges that these movements entail. Because most international migration is characterized by a high and constant flow from south to north, developed countries have a historical responsibility toward countries in the Global South. The former have contributed disproportionately to the climate crisis and to the wars that generate displacement. And this is not about favors, but about assuming their ecological and social debt.

Let us remember that migration is not a crime, it is a right.

Study links high blood pressure and heart attacks to common food preservatives

CNN, 05/21/2026

Synopsis: A study published in the European Heart Journal revealed that common preservatives used to eliminate bacteria and mold in many foods have been linked to a 29% increased risk of high blood pressure and a 16% increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to a new study conducted in France.

The study investigated the impact of 58 preservatives on the cardiovascular health of more than 112,000 people aged 15 and over. All participants were part of NutriNet-Santé, a project that has analyzed the diets of volunteers across France since 2009.

Even so-called "natural" antioxidant preservatives, such as citric acid and ascorbic acid, when not used in their natural form, were associated with a 22% increased risk of high blood pressure.

The study sheds light on how various additives present in ultra-processed foods could influence cardiovascular risk, and "echoes the recent consensus of the European Society of Cardiology, which identifies these foods as a global public health concern," stated Tracy Parker, head of nutrition at the British Heart Foundation.

Ultra-processed foods have been associated with an approximately 50% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease; they may also increase the risk of obesity by 55%, sleep disorders by 41%, and the development of type 2 diabetes by 40%. Obesity, diabetes, and poor sleep quality are closely linked to poor heart health.

Venezuela: Justices of the Peace receive training in Environmental Law

Últimas Noticias, 05/20/2026

Synopsis: The seminar "Environmental Law for Community Justices of the Peace" was held, led by environmental specialists and coordinated with the authorities of the School of the Executive Directorate of the Judiciary.

Environmental education is one of the pillars of preserving life on the planet. With this premise, the Minister for Ecosocialism, Alfred Nazaret Ñáñez, inaugurated the event.

The seminar addressed the relevance of environmental training for community justices of the peace in conflict resolution and aimed to strengthen the training of community leaders in managing coexistence and preserving the natural environment. "The goal is for these judges to amplify their management and positive participation to gain clarity on issues such as watershed protection, noise pollution, and solid waste management under a sustainability vision," stated Ñañez.

He explained that there is an intrinsic relationship between environmental health and public health, making it vital to defend the rights of Mother Earth enshrined in the Constitution.

MEDIA HEADLINE SUMMARY

Selected until May 15, 2026

A "depressing" milestone in the atmosphere has been reported: What risk does it pose?

RT, 05/06/2026

Synopsis: Synopsis: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached a record high in April, averaging around 431 parts per million (ppm), according to data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), are measured as the number of molecules of a gas per million total molecules, i.e., ppm.

Climate scientist Zachary Labe of Climate Central explained that CO2 tends to peak in April each year because, after winter, the decomposition of plant matter releases greenhouse gases. However, NOAA data shows a sustained increase in the monthly average, and that before the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 280 ppm or less. Even during interglacial periods, when Earth's temperature was warmer and CO2 levels were higher, the gas had reached a maximum of approximately 300 ppm.

The Caspian Sea is dying: the sea that is disappearing in real time

Cortesia: pexels

DW, 05/13/2026

Synopsis: The Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland body of water, bordered by Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and other countries, is shrinking rapidly. Scientists warn of a potential point of no return for coastal ecosystems and cities.

Predictions point to an even greater retreat this century, with some models indicating possible drops of up to 21 meters.

Simon Goodman, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Leeds in the UK, comments, "Such a decline would have a considerable impact on ecosystems, as well as on people's health, well-being, and economic activity." He adds, "Projections for the rest of this century suggest that the current retreat will have a much more pronounced climate change component."

The rise in global temperatures, linked to planet-warming emissions from the burning of oil, gas, and coal, is increasing evaporation from the sea surface. Along with lower levels of rainfall and runoff into the Volga basin, more water is ultimately flowing out of the Caspian than in.

Fishing communities are also under pressure. In the shallow northern basin, the continued decline could make fishing increasingly unsustainable.

They are building an artificial river over 100 km long in South America: the mega-project that promises to transform the water map of a key region

CANAL 26, 05/11/2026

Synopsis: Brazil is seeking to transform its water supply in the Northeast by constructing a 145-kilometer "artificial river" that will redistribute water resources to areas most affected by drought.

The Water Belt project was designed to transport water from the Jati Dam to various regions in the interior of Ceará. This infrastructure includes canals, tunnels, and control structures that take advantage of the natural slope of the land to move the flow without relying on energy-intensive pumping systems.

According to data from the Brazilian Secretariat of Water Resources, the system will supply water to 24 municipalities and directly benefit more than 561,000 people in the Cariri region.

According to technical estimates, the regularization of the water supply could increase the efficiency of agricultural irrigation by up to 30% and significantly reduce losses caused by the lack of rain.

Mexico presents Olinia: the first national electric car

Ultimas Noticias, 05/13/2026

Synopsis: The Mexican government unveiled the prototype of "Olinia," the first domestically manufactured electric mini-vehicle designed to offer affordable, safe, and sustainable transportation solutions tailored to the realities of communities across the Latin American country.

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo explained that the central objective is to consolidate a sovereign technology that responds to the needs of the population. "The goal is to have our own brand. An accessible vehicle for the Mexican people, a more affordable vehicle, an electric vehicle that doesn't pollute, and a vehicle that can navigate any town with narrow streets," the mayor elaborated.

The development of Olinia is the result of collaborative work by a team of more than 80 specialists, including academics, technicians, and scientists from institutions such as the National Technological Institute of Mexico and the National Polytechnic Institute.

The Olinia mini-vehicle will operate with a 100% electric system and can be charged using any standard household outlet in Mexico. According to the technical specifications provided by the government, the car will have a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour and will be able to carry everyday items, packages, and wheelchairs.

Formal production of this vehicle is scheduled to begin in 2027.

The UN praises China's climate leadership: the energy transition has been breathtaking

Noticias ONU, 05/14/2026

Synopsis: Simon Stiell, executive secretary of UN Climate Change, highlighted that the Asian country's "wise long-term vision" has protected its population from the worst effects of volatility, and emphasized that Chinese electric vehicles will save the economy more than $28 billion in oil imports this year alone.

While the war in the Middle East drives crude oil above $100 a barrel and the world's economies falter, China views the crisis from a different perspective. Not because it is safe, but because it made a decision years ago.

Investment in clean energy has doubled in a decade, exceeding $625 billion in 2024, and continues to grow. While other nations depend on fossil fuels whose prices skyrocket with every geopolitical crisis, China has built its own energy infrastructure-decentralized and, above all, resilient.

China has not only met its climate goals: it has broken all records. Its wind and solar capacity targets for 2030 were met six years ahead of schedule. The goal of having 20% of new car sales be electric by 2025 fell ridiculously short: the actual figure was 50%. And meanwhile, the technology continues to advance.

Stiell gave a concrete example: CATL's new battery that offers 1,500 kilometers of range with a six-minute charge. "That could change transportation forever," he said.

Deforestation is pushing the Amazon to collapse: scientists make a new appeal

El Espectador, 05/06/2026

Synopsis: According to a study published in the journal Nature and led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Germany, a group of scientists warns that if deforestation continues and at least 22% of the Amazon is lost, most of this rainforest could transform into a dry savanna with a global temperature increase of between 1.5°C and 1.9°C. They are calling for a halt to deforestation, as it makes forests more vulnerable to climate change.

The scenario of an Amazon transformed into degraded forests or an ecosystem similar to a dry savanna could be closer than we think. "Humanity is exerting unprecedented pressure on the Amazonian forest system through global warming and climate change."

South America registers the greatest loss of forests on the planet: 41 million hectares

IPS, 05/13/2026

Synopsis: South America saw 41 million hectares of forest disappear between 2015 and 2016, an average of 4.1 million hectares per year, more than any other region in the world. This represents 10% of the 414 million hectares of forest cover on the planet, according to a report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) released on Tuesday, the 12th.

This loss includes more than 10 million hectares of primary forests: ancient, dense ecosystems that are difficult to replace and essential for biodiversity, carbon storage, and climate regulation. Africa also lost nearly 30 million hectares during the same period, while losses were limited in North and Central America and Oceania.

Europe (including Russia) saw a recovery of more than 14 million hectares, and Asia more than 16 million.

A primary forest is not simply a group of old trees. It is a living system that has evolved over centuries, capable of storing more carbon, supporting greater biodiversity, regulating water better, and resisting droughts, fires, and pests more strongly than many young forests or recent plantations.

Climate threat 2026: The "Super Niño" or "Godzilla Child" is coming, the phenomenon that will shake the planet

Aporrea, 05/14/2026

Synopsis: International agencies, such as NOAA and the World Meteorological Organization, have sounded global alarms for the second half of 2026 due to anomalous and accelerated warming in the central Pacific Ocean. This precedes a possible "Super Niño" phenomenon, a historically more intense version of the natural El Niño climate phenomenon.

For a regular El Niño to be declared, ocean temperatures only need to rise 0.5°C above average. In a Super Niño, ocean temperatures surge between 2°C and 3°C above normal, drastically altering the atmosphere and climate dynamics of the entire planet.

The phenomenon acts like a gigantic heat engine, throwing regions of the world into two absolute extremes: extreme rainfall and flooding, and prolonged droughts and wildfires.

Global Temperature Increase: By interacting with current climate change, a Super Niño raises the average global temperature to historic records, causing sweltering heat waves in major cities.

The Condor Dump: The world's largest methane emitter is in Chile

Cortesía Pexels

Ladera Sur, 04/29/2026

Synopsis: The Loma Los Colorados landfill in Tiltil has just landed on an unwelcome list. According to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme, through the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), this site-located about 60 kilometers from Santiago, Chile-tops the world ranking of human-caused methane emissions. This greenhouse gas has a warming potential up to 80 times greater than carbon dioxide in its first few decades.

The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) uses 35 satellite instruments to detect super-emitters, human-caused methane sources so large they can be seen from space. Through MARS, IMEO directly notifies governments and companies so they can reduce emissions of this potent greenhouse gas.

Thanks to this, scientists have long known which industries emit the most methane, allowing experts to identify specific sources and propose solutions to address them.

NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE

r