Advertisement

Image: Ina Fassbender/AFPImage: Ina Fassbender/AFP

Climate change

Increased levels of carbon dioxide and other human-caused emissions being released into the atmosphere have caused global surface and ocean temperatures to rise at unprecedented speed.

A man in Denver uses a leaf blower to clear a light snow from the sidewalk in front of a home in a winter storm

A man in Denver uses a leaf blower to clear a light snow from the sidewalk in front of a home in a winter storm

What is climate? And how is it different from weather?

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Attendees holding signs that say "Drill baby drill" as they listen to Donald Trump speak

Attendees holding signs that say "Drill baby drill" as they listen to Donald Trump speak

What does Donald Trump's victory mean for the climate?

Experts warn Donald Trump's second term will have massive implications for the global fight against climate change.

Two people stand in a dark shop, illuminated by a single candle

Two people stand in a dark shop, illuminated by a single candle

Latin America: When climate change ruins renewables

Climate change is disrupting Latin American efforts to make more renewable energy. Now, new solutions are being debated.

DW's Eco Africa

DW's Eco Africa

Turning threats to the environment into opportunities

How women can profit from DRC's male-dominated mining sector and how to recycle used motor oil.

A closeup of a cow's face

A closeup of a cow's face

Danish farmers to pay climate fee for methane-burping cows

Denmark is the first country to agree to tax, as of 2030, climate-damaging emissions from the agricultural industry.

A firefighter in protective gear directs a blast of water at flames engulfing a shed

A firefighter in protective gear directs a blast of water at flames engulfing a shed

US: Wildfire near Los Angeles forces thousands to flee

A massive wildfire is spreading across southern California, fanned by the powerful Santa Ana winds.

Spanien Valencia 2024 | Aufräumarbeiten nach verheerenden Überschwemmungen in der Region

Spanien Valencia 2024 | Aufräumarbeiten nach verheerenden Überschwemmungen in der Region

Spain struggles with the aftermath of devastating floods

Flooding has killed many in Spain. This extreme weather stems from human-caused climate change.

Dänemark | Debatte um Methansteuer für Rinder

Dänemark | Debatte um Methansteuer für Rinder

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

Denmark is the first country to start taxing climate-damaging emissions in the agricultural sector.

People work to clear mud and debris from a street in Aldaia, in the region of Valencia

People work to clear mud and debris from a street in Aldaia, in the region of Valencia

Flood disaster in Spain: Cleaning up after the nightmare

One week after the flood disaster in Spain, the clean-up work and the search for survivors continue.

King Felipe in a crowd of survivors

King Felipe in a crowd of survivors

Spain: Furious crowds greet King Felipe on visit to Valencia

During their visit to the flood-wracked Spanish province, angry crowds hurled mud and insults at the king and his wife.

Alamin Usman, a herdsman in Abuja, Nigeria, talks to DW as his cows graze on the roadside in the background.

Alamin Usman, a herdsman in Abuja, Nigeria, talks to DW as his cows graze on the roadside in the background.

Climate, violence force cattle into Nigeria's crowded cities

Nigeria is home to 20 some million cows, most of which are owned by nomadic Fulani herders.

Members of the military work to clear mud and debris in the town of Catarroja, in the region of Valencia

Members of the military work to clear mud and debris in the town of Catarroja, in the region of Valencia

Spain sends 10,000 more troops, police to flood-hit Valencia

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said Spain is carrying out its biggest peacetime army deployment after deadly floods.

People clean the street of mud in an area affected by floods in Paiporta

People clean the street of mud in an area affected by floods in Paiporta

Spain's severe flooding leaves more than 200 dead

Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in large parts of the Valencia region, in eastern Spain.

People trying to clean up in a street filled with debris left by the floodwaters

People trying to clean up in a street filled with debris left by the floodwaters

Thousands gather for cleanup after Spain floods

Thousands of volunteers from all over Spain are gathering in Valencia to help with the cleanup effort.

Domestic Sheep grazing at the photovoltaic power station on land at Saarbrücken airport

Domestic Sheep grazing at the photovoltaic power station on land at Saarbrücken airport

EU greenhouse gases dropped sharply in 2023

Brussels said the data showed that tackling climate change does not need to put the brakes on economic growth.

A man stands among flooded cars piled up in Valencia, Spain

A man stands among flooded cars piled up in Valencia, Spain

Spain floods: Death toll climbs as rescuers seek survivors

The death toll from flooding in Spain's Valencia region is likely to rise as rescuers search debris, officials say.

Muddy torrents fueled by huge storms swept away vehicles and ripped apart homes in the Spanish region of Valencia

Muddy torrents fueled by huge storms swept away vehicles and ripped apart homes in the Spanish region of Valencia

Flash floods in Spain leave dozens dead

Muddy torrents fueled by huge storms swept away vehicles and ripped apart homes.

A view of several cars and debris left on train tracks after torrential rain caused flash floods in southeast Spain

A view of several cars and debris left on train tracks after torrential rain caused flash floods in southeast Spain

Death toll expected to rise after flash floods in Spain

Severe weather warnings are in effect for 10 Spanish regions, including Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia.

Cars are being swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Spain

Cars are being swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Spain

How is climate change impacting flooding around the world?

As Europe battles floods, five visualizations to help understand the role climate change is playing in extreme rainfall.

Ants carrying leaves

Ants carrying leaves

Biodiversity: The bizarre world of ants

Ants are capable of some amazing feats. Did you know some species can carry 50 times their own weight? Or tend gardens?

'Quantum leap' in climate ambition needed, says UN report

A UN report says the world is on track for catastrophic global heating but we have the technology to turn things around.

Fokus Europa Schweiz Geröllrutsch

Fokus Europa Schweiz Geröllrutsch

In Swiss alps, concerns grow over dangerous landslides

Residents of Switzerland's alpine valley are being forced to move as deadly landslides increase.

A nomadic herder prays next to his great-grandson while taking shelter from the sun at the nomadic camp in Toukra in N'Djamena, Chad (file photo)

A nomadic herder prays next to his great-grandson while taking shelter from the sun at the nomadic camp in Toukra in N'Djamena, Chad (file photo)

Chad herders face drought, flood devastation

How will Fadoul Saleh and thousands of other Chadian herders survive as the Sahel is hammered by climate change?

A man sits on a pile of rocks. He wears a woolen hat and a raincoat and holds a large stick in his hands.

A man sits on a pile of rocks. He wears a woolen hat and a raincoat and holds a large stick in his hands.

Norway's melting ice reveals artifacts hidden for centuries

As Norway's glaciers melt, archaeologists are seizing the chance to uncover perfectly preserved ancient artifacts.

An orangutan leans against a tree branch

An orangutan leans against a tree branch

What is biodiversity and why does it matter?

A diverse array of interconnected living organisms is the foundation of healthy and resilient ecosystems.

A bronze-winged jacana looks for food surrounded by blooming white water lily flowers

A bronze-winged jacana looks for food surrounded by blooming white water lily flowers

UN biodiversity talks: Is the world at a tipping point?

Species are vanishing at an alarming rate, threatening human food supply, health and security.

A man begs for money

A man begs for money

Africa's debt crisis: The need for multilateral solutions

Many observers are urging global action and greater involvement of African stakeholders in developing solutions.

Philippinen Pugad 2024 | Überschwemmungen auf der Insel

Philippinen Pugad 2024 | Überschwemmungen auf der Insel

Climate change: Islanders plan for flood-adapted homes

There's a long-term plan to relocate these residents, but is their own plan more sustainable?

A plane flying across the sky, leaving behind contrails

A plane flying across the sky, leaving behind contrails

Why we should care about airplane contrails

Airplane condensation trails, or contrails, could have as big a climate impact as the aviation sector's CO2 emissions.

Ghana | Verwendung von Jute- und Baumwollstoffen für wiederverwendbare Taschen

Ghana | Verwendung von Jute- und Baumwollstoffen für wiederverwendbare Taschen

Ghana: Trendy bags from discarded cocoa beans sacks

Ghana's leading produce, cocoa, is packaged in jute sacks, while flour is stored in cotton sacks.

Automesse Paris 2024

Automesse Paris 2024

Paris Motor Show showcases electric effort

European car makers unveil new electric cars at the Paris Motor Show in an effort to match Chinese competition.

Wind gusts twist umbrellas and buffet people during Hurricane Ian in Charleston in South Carolina

Wind gusts twist umbrellas and buffet people during Hurricane Ian in Charleston in South Carolina

What are the La Nina and El Nino climate phenomena?

Here's how the Pacific weather phases of El Nino and La Nina can influence extreme weather across the globe.

DW Fokus Europa | Italien: Neuer Streit über Staatsbürgerschaft

DW Fokus Europa | Italien: Neuer Streit über Staatsbürgerschaft

Focus on Europe – Spotlight on People

Will naturalization in Italy soon be possible after just a few years of study?

Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr holding the German Africa Prize next to German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas

Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr holding the German Africa Prize next to German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas

Sierra Leone: Eco-friendly mayor wins German Africa Prize

The German Africa Foundation honors Freetown's mayor for her outstanding commitment to urban development.

Transforming Business Folge Climate Litigation

Transforming Business Folge Climate Litigation

Inside the legal battles against greener policies

How a foreign investor protection regime is said to be stalling climate action and instead paying polluters.

How transformation is helping business - MADE

Fighting climate change: EVs, giving up oil and heat protection. Plus: an Instagram career.

Dokus KW 42

Dokus KW 42

How land clearance is destroying Bolivia's forests

Bolivia is burning. For months, flames have been consuming huge swathes of forest and pastureland.

An ambulance makes its way through floodwaters in Assam state, India

An ambulance makes its way through floodwaters in Assam state, India

How hospitals are dealing with climate change challenges

Hospitals around the world use creative solutions to deal with increasing threats like floods, power cuts and heat.

A view over Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa

A view over Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa

World Bank: Poorest countries facing worst debt since 2006

The 26 poorest nations in the world are more heavily in debt than any time in the last 18 years, the World Bank said.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event, pointing at the crowd

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event, pointing at the crowd

Hurricane disinformation rampant in US election campaign

Donald Trump is spreading hurricane disinformation on the campaign trail, as Republicans criticize Kamala Harris.

Todd Stern (a grey-haired man wearing glasses, white shirt, dark jacket and blue tie) in a DW interview

Todd Stern (a grey-haired man wearing glasses, white shirt, dark jacket and blue tie) in a DW interview

Todd Stern: Harris win would be a 'big relief' for climate

Former US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern speaks to DW's Louise Osborne.

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Rise of drug cartels in Ecuador

Drug cartels in Ecuador are gaining influence, and why forest dieback could lead to healthier ecosystems.

Deutschland | Schneekanonen im Einsatz in Garmisch Partenkirchen

Deutschland | Schneekanonen im Einsatz in Garmisch Partenkirchen

Climate-neutral ski slopes — energy-free artificial snow

A ‘snow lance’ produces artificial snow using natural water pressure alone, without other energy inputs.

DW Tomorrow Today Sendungslogo Composite

DW Tomorrow Today Sendungslogo Composite

Tomorrow Today — The Science Show

This week: wireless charging in cars, regenerative braking in mountain railroads & artificial snow without electricity.

DW Sendung Tomorrow Today | Dürre im Amazonas

DW Sendung Tomorrow Today | Dürre im Amazonas

Brazil: Drought threatens Amazon communities and ecosystem

The Amazon basin has been facing severe drought, leaving communities cut off and the regional ecosystem in jeopardy.

A diver shines a light under the water

A diver shines a light under the water

How climate change is affecting the Mediterranean Sea

Every day, marine biologist Gerwin Gretschel observes how rapidly the Mediterranean Sea is changing.

A stand of dead spruce trees against a cloudy sky

A stand of dead spruce trees against a cloudy sky

Why Germany's dying forests could be good news

Germany is losing its forests because of climate change and pests. But there may be a silver lining to the losses.

First responders in the water outside an apartment complex that was flooded from and overflowing creek due to Hurricane Milton

First responders in the water outside an apartment complex that was flooded from and overflowing creek due to Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton: What's fueling stronger storms?

The warming of the ocean's surface is creating tropical storms stronger and more destructive than any we've seen before.

A red-capped cardinal in Ecuador

A red-capped cardinal in Ecuador

WWF: Wildlife populations have plummeted by 73% since 1970

In some areas, the WWF's Living Planet report noted that wildlife populations had fallen by up to 95%.

China Fabrik

China Fabrik

EU to decide on higher tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles

A trade war is brewing over Chinese electric vehicles, which have upended the global auto industry.

Men drilling a board into a wall ahead of Milton's arrival on October 8, 2024

Men drilling a board into a wall ahead of Milton's arrival on October 8, 2024

Hurricane Milton threatens to wreak havoc in Florida

US President Joe Biden has said lives are at risk as officials warn residents to evacuate.