With more than half the global population experiencing a national election in 2024, what happens this year will have tremendous implications for people, nature and the climate. WRI’s 21st annual Stories to Watch event forecast the biggest issues on the table — from what the year’s elections will mean for climate policy, to how cities will deal with extreme heat, the “silent killer.” Read more about 2024’s biggest stories to watch.

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A new report from the World Economic Forum quantifies the most acute climate risks for global health. Out of all three risks outlined, floods and extreme rainfall will cause the most loss of life. Data from WRI’s Aqueduct Floods tool finds that the number of people impacted by both coastal and river floods will double between 2010 and 2030, in part due to climate change. Read more.

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The U.S. aviation industry set a target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Yet under a new guidance, some of the industry’s “sustainable aviation fuels” could be anything but. Using crop-based biofuels in airplanes may actually increase net emissions while also diverting valuable farmland from food production. WRI experts explain. Read more.

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Research shows public transport capacity needs to double by 2030 to avert the worst impacts of climate change. But with ridership still down post-pandemic and many countries behind on infrastructure development, public transport is growing far too slowly. WRI experts offer steps countries and cities can take to ramp up low-carbon travel. Read more.

Public transport is critical for ensuring all people have reliable access to jobs, healthcare, education and other critical services. Yet in many countries, only a portion of the population can easily use public transit.