A few weeks ago, speaking to the UN General Assembly, Donald Trump dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.”

This week, it felt like the scientists were stepping up to have their say—and the evidence told a very different story. Three major studies underscored just how serious and how urgent the crisis has become.

Coral reefs are in critical condition

A major new Global Tipping Points report, compiled by 160 researchers worldwide, warned that the world has likely crossed its first climate-driven tipping point: the collapse of warm-water coral reefs. Decades of rising ocean temperatures—our seas have absorbed nearly 90% of the planet’s excess heat—combined with worsening acidification, have pushed corals past the point of recovery.

To restore them, global temperatures would need to fall back to just 1°C above preindustrial levels—a scenario that scientists say is far beyond reach without drastic action.

The report warns that other tipping points are close behind, including the dieback of the Amazon rainforest, the collapse of major ocean currents, and the melting of ice sheets. The loss of coral reefs alone would devastate ecosystems that support a quarter of all marine species, generate an estimated $9.9 trillion in goods and services each year, and sustain the livelihoods of one billion people.

Tree growth may be slowing

If the collapse of coral reefs marks one climate tipping point, Canada’s forests may be quietly approaching another.

A major study published in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research—the largest of its kind ever conducted in Canada—has found that tree growth is slowing across the country. Researchers analyzed more than 55,000 trees at over 4,000 sites between 1950 and 2018 and discovered that 42% of sites showed significant declines in growth, while only 8% showed increases.

The findings, reported this week by Le Devoir, confirm earlier research and challenge a long-standing assumption: that rising CO₂ levels would boost plant growth. Instead, scientists are observing widespread declines driven largely by increasing drought and soil moisture stress.

The implications are profound. Forestry remains a cornerstone of Canada’s economy, and slower tree growth directly affects forest productivity and industry profits. More importantly, it undermines a key premise of Canada’s carbon accounting.

When forests burn, the CO₂ released isn’t counted toward national emissions because wildfires are considered “natural events,” and it’s assumed that regrowth will reabsorb those emissions over the following decades. If forests are no longer regenerating as expected, those assumptions—and Canada’s true annual emissions—may need a serious rethink.

A new record for atmospheric CO2

This week, the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that atmospheric carbon dioxide has reached its highest level in 800,000 years. Because CO₂ lingers for thousands of years, there’s no easy way to undo what’s already been done. Scientists also cast fresh doubt on the effectiveness of carbon credits, warning that many so-called “negative emissions” schemes are failing to deliver real reductions—and may even be slowing global progress.

All of this adds urgency to two priorities: accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels toward renewables, and adapting to protect people and communities from the impacts already unfolding. Both are underway—but not nearly fast enough.

Yet even as the science grows more alarming, many governments are moving in the opposite direction. This week, the U.S. reportedly used threats to derail a global shipping emissions treaty. New Zealand halved its methane reduction target—a baffling move in a country where sheep outnumber people five to one. And in Canada, reports suggest that climate priorities may soon be downplayed in favour of fossil fuel expansion.

Scientists are warning that we’re leaving the “early warning” stage of the climate crisis and entering the “consequences” stage. But that message isn’t a cause for despair—it’s a call to action. Every policy choice, every investment, and every community project still matters. The window to prevent the worst outcomes is closing—but it’s not closed yet.

The future depends on how quickly and how boldly we act.

Here are the other major climate stories from the week of October 13 to 19, 2025:

Canada Policy

There’s growing speculation that the Carney government’s climate plan will shift away from strict targets toward an economic growth–focused approach to climate action.

• Carney’s climate vision to deprioritize emissions targets, focus on economic advantages – The Globe and Mail – October 14

US Policy

Critics warn that U.S. cuts to clean energy support will drive up emissions. Financial institutions may also face heightened risks as climate impact reporting and accountability frameworks are rolled back.

• US clean power reversal comes with a hefty emissions price tag – Reuters – October 15
• U.S. Federal Reserve, FDIC Scrap Climate Risk Management Framework for Banks – ESG Today – October 17

COP

In the lead-up to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, next month, the World Meteorological Organization reported that atmospheric carbon dioxide has reached its highest level in 800,000 years—driving increasingly extreme weather. At the same time, New Zealand halved its methane reduction target, pleasing farmers but angering scientists and climate advocates.

• CO2 levels hit highest ever recorded, WMO says, warning of more extreme weather – Reuters – October 15
• CO2 in the atmosphere has reached highest level in 800,000 years: WMO report – CBC.ca – October 15
• Carbon dioxide levels increase by record amount to new highs in 2024 – World Meteorological Organization – October 14
• New Zealand accused of ‘full-blown climate denial’ over cuts to methane reduction targets – The Guardian – October 13 

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is setting new growth records worldwide—and even in the U.S., despite efforts by the Trump administration to suppress it. Yet the pace of expansion still falls short of what’s needed to meet global net-zero targets.

• Record global renewable energy growth remains short of climate target, report says – Reuters – October 14
• Renewable Energy Is Booming Despite Trump’s Efforts to Slow It – New York Times – October 14
• Texas battery start-up nets $1 billion for its cheaper energy model – Corporate Knights – October 14
• Daylight Raises $75 Million to Turn Homes into Solar Power Plants – ESG Today – October 17
• Pakistan’s solar boom is China-powered but people-led – Corporate Knights – October 15

Oil and Gas Sector

With fossil fuel companies focused on consolidation, cost-cutting, and returning cash to shareholders, forecasts for future demand differ sharply—both in the pace of long-term decline and in expectations of an upcoming period of oversupply and sustained low prices.

• Canadian Oil Producers Prioritize Buying Over Building – Oil Price.com – October 13
• IEA Warns of Larger Oil Glut Than Expected – Oil Price.com – October 14
• OPEC Remains Upbeat on Global Oil Demand Growth – Oil Price.com – October 13
• Fossil fuels to dominate global energy use past 2050, McKinsey says – Reuters – October 16
• Where are the oil barrels? IEA gap deepens confusion over looming glut: Bousso  – BOE Report – October 16
• What are the EU’s new rules on banning fuel imports made from Russian crude? – Reuters – October 16
• South Africa to lift shale gas moratorium this month – Reuters – October 16

Nuclear

China has taken a step forward in the global race to develop small modular nuclear reactors.

• Cold testing of Chinese SMR completed – World Nuclear News – October 16

Mining

With demand for rare earth minerals rising rapidly, resource-rich Canada is looking to build out its own supply chain.

• Inside Canada’s race to build a rare earths supply chain – National Observer – October 15
• ‘Strategy, what strategy?’ Why Canada needs an action plan fast — or could waste its rare earths wealth – October 16 

Electric Vehicles

Policy swings in the U.S. electric vehicle market are taking a toll on automakers, with GM recording a $1.6 billion write-down.

• GM to take $1.6 billion charge as tax credit blow muddies EV plans – Reuters – October 14

Business Emissions

As the EU works to finalize its 2040 climate target, it’s signalling that businesses must do more to meet emissions goals—even as it moves to ease some key regulations.

• EU leaders to demand more industry support to meet new climate goal, draft shows – Reuters – October 14
• Schroders Achieves 100% Renewable Electricity Goal – ESG Today – October 13
• Stegra Launches New Financing Round to Build First-Ever Large-Scale Green Steel Plant – ESG Today – October 13
• EU lawmakers back further cuts to sustainability law – Reuters – October 13

Economic Impact

Reports this week show that climate change can serve as both a driver of economic growth and a source of severe economic risk for nations.

• Climate investment is growth opportunity of 21st century, says economist – The Guardian – October 13
• China reports $30.5 billion in economic losses from natural disasters so far in 2025 – Reuters – October 16

Finance

Several announcements this week highlighted the massive flow of capital being directed toward climate adaptation and mitigation opportunities worldwide.

• CFM Raises Over US$1 Billion for Climate Infrastructure Fund – ESG Today – October 14
• SHS Raises $2 Billion for Green Steel Project in Germany – ESG Today – October 16
• Brazil showcases finance ministers’ plan for $1.3 trln in yearly finance – Reuters – October 15
• Malaysian pension fund KWAP launches $475 million climate-focused investment fund – Reuters – October 16

Carbon Pricing 

A new analysis raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of carbon credits in reducing emissions.

• Carbon credits are failing to help with climate change — here’s why – Nature – October 14

Legal Challenges

Advances in attribution science are strengthening the case for holding individual firms liable for climate damages. In the U.S., states and unions are suing to block or slow Trump’s climate rollbacks, while governments worldwide are becoming more aggressive in pushing back against climate activists.

• For the first time, we linked a new fossil fuel project to hundreds of deaths. Here’s the impact of Woodside’s Scarborough gas project – The Conversation – October 13
• ‘It’s a road to destruction’: climate defenders facing surge in reprisals, says UN expert – The Guardian – October 13
• States sue to stop Trump cancellation of $7 billion solar grant program – Reuters – October 16

Air Travel

China may be positioning itself to lead in another emerging green sector: producing sustainable aviation fuel to help cut emissions from air travel.

• China allows more biofuel firms to export green aviation fuel, sources say – Reuters – October 17

Shipping

The U.S. used bullying and intimidation tactics to derail a key international effort to reduce emissions from global shipping.

• Landmark global shipping deal abandoned under US threats – BBC – October 17
• US, Singapore call on UN to delay carbon shipping price vote amid splits – Reuters – October 17

Climate Disasters

Grave news this week as scientists reported that critical climate tipping points are being crossed. Warm-water coral reefs have reached the point of no return, facing a sudden, massive, and irreversible die-off from rising ocean temperatures and acidification. These reefs support a quarter of marine species, $9.9 trillion in annual goods and services, and the livelihoods of one billion people.

• Climate tipping points are being crossed, scientists warn ahead of COP30 -Reuters – October 13
• Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report says, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’ – The Guardian – October 12
• Earth has already reached a tipping point: warm water coral reefs are dying  – Corporate Knights –  October 16
• Spatially detailed tree-ring analysis exposes widespread forest growth decline throughout Canada – Canadian Journal of Forest Research – September 18

Extreme Heat

Advisers are warning U.K. policymakers to urgently prepare for the impacts of rising temperatures—a warning governments worldwide would do well to heed.

• Britain must urgently prepare for hotter temperatures, climate advisers warn – Reuters – October 14

Air Pollution

A new lawsuit in the U.K. accuses several carmakers of falsifying vehicle emissions data. Volkswagen paid $37 billion in 2020 to settle a similar case.

• Carmakers accused in huge UK lawsuits of cheating diesel emissions tests – Reuters – October 13