What happened
Extreme weather has raised the significance of Cop17 talks starting this week on tackling drought and land degradation As swathes of the northern hemisphere bake in what could be the hottest year on record, with wildfires blazing across North America and Europe and heatwaves afflicting millions across Asia, the UN’s bi-annual talks on desertification have assumed much greater importance – and have started attracting more money.
Why it matters
AtlasHour context: this story may affect public policy, global affairs, business confidence, technology direction, energy security, or civic life.
Global context
The story is being tracked through Global Markets.
Who is affected
Global Markets
What to watch next
Readers should watch official responses, local reaction, source updates, and whether the story changes the next decision cycle.
The consequence layer
AtlasHour context: this story may affect public policy, global affairs, business confidence, technology direction, energy security, or civic life.
What To Watch Next
Three facts to keep in view
The Guardian
Designed for a concise world-news brief.
Used for editorial story mapping and source context.
Related Stories
Water companies in England and Wales explore ‘surge pricing’ bills during drought
Suppliers could factor water scarcity into charges as part of Ofwat proposal to reduce consumption Water companies could be allowed to raise bills for customers during periods of drought under proposals being considered by the sector’s regulator for England and Wales. Suppliers would be permitted to factor “water scarcity” into bills as part of efforts to reduce consumption under Ofwat’s plans, which are being likened to surge pricing – the practice where private hire firms raise taxi fares at times of higher demand...
Greek island wildfire kills two people as helicopters called in to tackle Belgium forest blaze
Belgium battling biggest fire in more than a century as flames near German border and 600 people told to evacuate Two people have died in fires on the Greek island of Salamis as firefighting aircraft were called on to help tame the biggest blaze in Belgium in more than a century in the latest wave of wildfires in Europe. The bodies of two people were recovered from the Peristeria beach area of Salamis on Sunday after two fires broke out on the island, a fire department spokesperson told AFP. Hundreds of people have been ordered to evacuate...
Hurricane Lala weakens to a tropical storm, but flooding persists in Hawaii
The devastating hurricane grazes the Big Island in Hawaii in the US, but avoids making landfall.
AtlasHour updates articles as new verified information becomes available. Corrections and source context can be sent to the newsroom.