The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is living with the daily realities of climate change, as intensifying cyclones, rising seas and saltwater intrusion reshape its coasts and disrupt life

The International Court of Justice’s ruling that countries have a legal duty to curb climate change was the result of a yearslong campaign that began with university students.

Vanuatu is living with the daily realities of climate change, as intensifying cyclones, rising seas and saltwater intrusion reshape its coasts and disrupt life.

The United Nations’ top court in a landmark advisory opinion says countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, and nations harmed by its effects could be entitled to reparations.

The International Court of Justice ruled that nations have an obligation to act on climate change under international laws protecting the environment and human rights.

On July 23rd, after two years and an unprecedented number of submissions from governments and international institutions, the court delivered a unanimous verdict. In its opinion, climate change constitutes an “urgent and existential threat” that states must protect people from.

The top court of the United Nations on Wednesday declared that countries have an obligation to combat climate change — and that a failure to do so could constitute a violation of international