Amid Record-breaking Fires, Will Brazil Confront Its Climate Challenges?

The 2024 wildfire season has been Brazil’s worst in at least a decade. Over 11 million hectares burned between January and August, more than double the same period last year, and fires continue to blaze. Flames have ravaged the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal (the world’s largest tropical wetland), while cities endure suffocating smoke.

President Lula da Silva vowed to prioritize the environment when he took office, and indeed, deforestation rates fell in 2023. But as fires rage — many of which are caused by illegal forest clearing for farmland — the administration faces scrutiny over whether its actions measure up to its promises of bold climate leadership.

Experts from WRI Brasil dissect the country’s current crisis and what it needs to do next. Read more.

7 Things to Know About Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration

The U.K. just announced £22 billion (US$28.8 billion) for projects that aim to capture and store carbon emissions from sources like factories and power plants. While some see “CCUS” technologies as an important tool for fighting climate change, others worry they could stall progress. With more countries exploring and investing in this evolving industry, here’s what to know. Read more. 

10 Findings from the IPCC Report on Climate Change

Hurricane Milton escalated this week into one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, posing a dire threat to the southeastern U.S. mere weeks after Hurricane Helene tore through the region. Stronger, more devastating storms like this are just one effect of a warming world. WRI unpacked what the latest science reveals about the impacts of climate change — and why there’s still cause for hope. Read more.

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