As this newsletter goes out, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is just getting underway in Glasgow, Scotland. This influential global meeting focuses on achieving the goals of the UN Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement adopted at COP21 in 2015. 
 
As pointed out by Alok Sharma, a British politician serving as President for COP26, “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought devastation to millions around the world, disrupting many parts of the global economy. Governments, including our own, have stepped up to protect lives and livelihoods. But climate change has continued, and it ultimately threatens life on Earth.” 
 
The IPCC 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C published the key finding that a ≤ 1.5 °C warming target would help minimize extreme weather, rising sea levels, diminishing Arctic sea ice, coral bleaching, and loss of ecosystems, among many other impacts. This is still possible, but only with a rapid response and deep emissions reductions. The COP26 meeting in Glasgow has the objective of moving governments worldwide toward the common global goal. Meaningful leadership by the United States is essential to achieve this goal because of our large per capita contribution to global CO2 emissions.

UArizona will partner with Native American nations to address the environmental challenges faced by those communities through the new Indigenous Resilience Center. ENVS Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Dr. Karletta Chief is the Director of this new center.

At the American Dam, where the Rio Grande is divided between the United States and Mexico, lies a complex set of international policy and scientific analysis. ENVS Professor Dr. Sharon Megdal is interviewed in this news clip.

Cities across the U.S. Southwest hit impressive rainfall totals this summer, bringing much-needed – but temporary – relief to a region that has been mired in drought. ENVS Professor and Extension Specialist Dr. Mike Crimmins is quoted in the article.