But the nation won't be exempt from the rules it establishes.

United States refuses to join plastic waste pact

Invitation Declined

More than 180 nations, not including the United States, have agreed to new rules controlling the movement of plastic waste globally.

United States Refuses to Join Plastic Waste Pact

The U.S. will now have a tougher time dumping waste in developing nations.

And their extinction is a direct threat to humanity.

United Nations: One million species are poised to go extinct

Natural Death

A massive new report by the United Nations concludes that a million species are under threat of extinction — and humans are to blame.

United Nations: One Million Species Are Poised to Go Extinct

"This loss is a direct result of human activity."

If it does, the impact on public health could be massive.

WHO says UN should reclassify marijuana as less dangerous

Weed Need

The World Health Organizations recommends that the United Nations reclassify marijuana, and the move could have a major impact on public health.

WHO Says UN Should Reclassify Marijuana as Less Dangerous

The drug shouldn't be in the most restrictive category, says the WHO.

Half the world's population lacks this human right.

Universal internet access is at least 30 years away, say experts

Global Disconnect

Experts predict we won't reach universal internet access until 2050, leaving many people in low-income regions without this basic human right.

Universal Internet Access Is at Least 30 Years Away, Say Experts

The World Wide Web might not be truly worldwide for decades.

We could completely heal the Earth's protective layer by 2060.

Our efforts to heal the ozone layer are finally paying off

Hallelujah

The ozone is finally healing, according to the latest version of a United Nations-backed report released every four years.

Our Efforts to Heal the Ozone Layer Are Finally Paying Off

We're slowly but steadily repairing the damage we caused.

It's a nice idea, but we may already have weapons that violate the ban.

Europe wants a global ban on military killer robots, but not everyone agrees

Artificial Intelligence

The European Parliament passed a resolution calling for an international ban on military killer robots, which it says are an imminent global threat.

Europe Wants a Global Ban on Military Killer Robots, but Not Everyone Agrees

If a robot is going to kill, should a human need to give the order?

The company is putting its satellite data to good use.

Google and the UN team up to study the effects of climate change

Earth & Energy

Google agreed to work with UN Environment to create a platform that gives the world access to valuable environmental data.

Google and The UN Team Up To Study The Effects of Climate Change

The U.S. government has bowed out, so the company is stepping up.

Home to significant oceanic biodiversity, the high seas might finally get some long-overdue protections from the UN.

United Nations treaty protecting high seas may be a reality in 2020

In 2018 the United Nations will start solidifying the first ever treaty protecting high seas — the waters that lie beyond any national jurisdiction.

United Nations Treaty Protecting High Seas May Be a Reality in 2020

A landmark treaty protecting the world's high seas could be signed in two years.

United Nations’ Treaty Protecting High Seas May Be a Reality in 2020

In 2016, the world generated enough e-waste to fill 1.23 million 18 wheelers — enough to line up from New York to Bangkok and back.

Global e-waste increased by 8 percent since 2014

A recent report on electronic waste, like discarded electronics and appliances, finds that e-waste increased by 3.3 metric tonnes from 2014 – 2016.

Global E-Waste Increased by Eight Percent since 2014

Your discarded computers, solar panels, refrigerators, and more could be worth over $60 billion.

"Turtles aren't stupid, [but] it's really difficult to tell the difference between plastics and jellyfish, and it may be impossible for a turtle to learn."

UN asserts that we have entered "a planetary crisis"

Plastic waste poses real and lethal threats to sea life, but commitment from governments, firms, and individuals could put a stop to it.

/United Nations

Invitation Declined

United States Refuses to Join Plastic Waste Pact

Natural Death

United Nations: One Million Species Are Poised to Go Extinct

Weed Need

WHO Says UN Should Reclassify Marijuana as Less Dangerous

Global Disconnect

Universal Internet Access Is at Least 30 Years Away, Say Experts

Hallelujah

Our Efforts to Heal the Ozone Layer Are Finally Paying Off

Artificial Intelligence

Europe Wants a Global Ban on Military Killer Robots, but Not Everyone Agrees

Earth & Energy

Google and The UN Team Up To Study The Effects of Climate Change

Earth & Energy

United Nations’ Treaty Protecting High Seas May Be a Reality in 2020

Earth & Energy

Global E-Waste Increased by Eight Percent since 2014

Earth & Energy

UN Asserts That We Have Entered a “Planetary Crisis”

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