Our most read climate explainers of 2021

COP26, THE UN climate summit that took place in November, sought to speed up the fight against climate change. In the end governments merely kept alive the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This year extreme weather events, from a heatwave in America’s Pacific north-west to floods in central Europe, were striking reminders of the consequences of failure. Below is a selection of our explanatory articles on the science and politics of climate change.

What is La Niña? (December)
The weather pattern is back for a second consecutive year

Why is India clinging to coal? (November)
Growing demand, entrenched interests and a sense of historical injustice keep it hooked

What is the “3.5% rule” beloved of climate protesters? (November)
Mobilising a certain proportion of the population will not guarantee a movement’s success

What really goes on during COP climate negotiations? (November)
The process is opaque to outsiders and often infuriating to insiders

Why is a heatwave broiling parts of America and Canada? (June)
Even places that are typically cool need to grapple with the increased risk of extreme heat

What are “nationally determined contributions” to curb climate change? (April)
The emissions targets are the world’s best hope of limiting global warming, but they are falling short

What would different levels of global warming look like? (March)
A rise of a few tenths of a degree will have big consequences for the planet

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