Today, NewsForKids.net looks at two important stories in the news. Last week, 56 countries met in Colombia to try to find a way to end fossil fuels. And struggles over control of the Strait of Hormuz may be challenging the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Nations Meet to Tackle Fossil Fuels
Last week, people representing 56 countries from around the world met in Santa Marta, Colombia for the first international meeting focused on ending the use of fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels – like oil, coal, and natural gas – is the main cause of global warming.
(Source: Colombia’s Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development.)
Not A COP Meeting
Since the 1990s, countries have been meeting regularly at United Nations (UN) climate meetings. These COP (Conferences of the Parties) meetings have focused on how countries can cut their pollution, with the goal of limiting the effects of global warming. But these meetings have struggled to put limits on fossil fuels, mainly because of pressure from countries that produce fossil fuels.
For the countries at last week’s meeting, the question wasn’t whether to stop using fossil fuels, but how to do it, and how to do it fairly. Countries that aren’t yet willing to end fossil fuels – like the US, China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia – weren’t invited.
The four-day meeting was led by Colombia and the Netherlands. It aimed to bring together rich countries, which use the most fossil fuels, and poorer countries, which are most threatened by climate change.
One important challenge the meeting tackled is how to help poorer countries that rely on the money they make from fossil fuels. Switching to clean energy sources, like solar and wind power, can be expensive. And many of these poorer countries already owe lots of money. These countries will need help to find new ways to make money and to pay off their debts.
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The four-day meeting was led by Colombia and the Netherlands. One important challenge the meeting tackled is how to help poorer countries that rely on the money they make from fossil fuels. Above, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro (center) and others seen during the meeting last Tuesday.
The meeting also discussed how to help some of the groups most affected by the climate crisis, including poor people, young people, and Indigenous people.
The meeting didn’t lead to any new agreements, but it did result in some important steps. France published its plan for ending fossil fuel use. The representatives also agreed to create special teams to work on specific challenges. These include finding money to help poor countries, and helping workers move away from fossil fuel-related jobs.
The next meeting is set for 2027 in Tuvalu. Tuvalu, located in the Pacific Ocean, is an example of a small island nation threatened by rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Will Struggles Over Strait of Hormuz Threaten Ceasefire?
The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran is being challenged by a struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas pass through this important waterway.
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The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran is being challenged by a struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas pass through this important waterway. With Iran and the US blocking the strait, fuel prices have been driven up worldwide.
The Strait of Hormuz
After the US and Israel attacked Iran, Iran refused to let Western ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The US also began blockading the strait, hoping to cut off the money Iran makes by selling oil. The war – and the closed strait – have led to a global energy crisis, with prices rising around the world.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced a plan for US warships and planes to protect ships coming through the strait. Iran said it would attack any foreign military force that entered the waterway.
On Monday, the US helped two ships go through the strait. Iran did attack, but the US military was able to stop the attacks. Later, Iran launched missiles at the US ally United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time since the ceasefire began.
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The US says it will help ships pass safely through the strait. On Monday, the US said it helped two ships go through the strait. Iran attacked, but the US military was able to stop the attacks. Above, a picture from an Iranian news service showing ships anchored in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US says it plans to continue helping ships pass through the strait. But it’s not clear how many shipping companies will be willing to risk their ships being targets for Iran. It’s also not clear if the increased activity on both sides might lead to the end of the ceasefire.