International

Iran War Shows Relying on Fossil Fuels Is ‘Delusional’: UN Climate Chief

"Price spikes from the war highlight the necessity of the renewable energy transition for stability and national security, the U.N. official says."

"The Iran war’s disruption to the global energy market should be a wake-up call for countries that continue to rely on fossil fuels, said United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell in a speech on Monday.

Source: Inside Climate News, 03/18/2026

Iran War Pushes Nations To Triage As They Conserve Power To Curb Prices

"The escalating war with Iran is pushing parts of the world into energy triage, forcing governments to choose where to cut demand or absorb costs, while prioritizing dwindling supplies. Asia is the most exposed since it relies heavily on imported fuel, much of it shipped through the now-blocked Strait of Hormuz."

Source: AP, 03/18/2026

Mezcal’s Popularity Booming In US, At Growing Environmental Cost In Mexico


"Thirty years ago, a single light bulb would illuminate the mezcal distillery owned by Gladys Sánchez Garnica’s family in rural Oaxaca, where the agave-based spirit was made through the night. As drops dripped from a clay oven, Garnica and her siblings listened to stories told by their parents while neighbors arrived by horse to get a taste of a drink known for its smoky flavor."

Source: AP, 03/17/2026

Top US Lobbying Firms Working Both Sides Of The Pfas Issue At The Same Time

"Some top US lobbying firms are simultaneously working both sides of the Pfas “forever chemicals” issue, raising serious conflict of interest questions and concerns that their activity is slowing states’ efforts to rein in the public health threat."

Source: Guardian, 03/17/2026

‘Poisoned for Gold’ Project Pricks Nation’s Conscience

Two Ghanian video journalists traveled their country to document how contamination from illegal gold mining was harming the health of workers and nearby communities. Their resulting reporting not only won acclaim from their peers but also ignited a debate that resulted in the closing of polluting mining operations. Read more about their award-winning project and its impact in Inside Story Q&A.

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Dams Full Of Toxic Mining Waste, Dotted Around The World, Often Burst

"As soon as the barrier broke, a flood of poison brought death to the river. Gushing through the fragile wall built to hold back mining waste in Zambia’s copper belt in February 2025, more than 50m cubic litres of acid and heavy metals poured into the Chambishi stream – a tributary of the Kafue River, the country’s longest waterway."

Source: Guardian, 03/16/2026
March 17, 2026

DEADLINE: Travel grants to the first International Conference for the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels

Apply now for a grant to travel to Colombia and become part of Clean Energy Wire’s cross-border newsroom reporting on the first International Conference for the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels. The summit in Colombia in April 2026 will bring together governments and key stakeholders from business and civil society to map pathways to accelerate a just transition away from oil, coal and gas. Applications from journalists will be accepted until 17 March 2026, 23:59 CET.

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As Iran War Shakes Energy System, Some See Strong Case For Renewable Energy

"World leaders have tried and failed to curb climate change by appealing to nations to act for the common good. Now, the Iran war and its costly energy crunch have some experts wondering if selfishness and nationalism may be a more likely way to save the planet, by boosting support for homegrown renewables over imported fossil fuels."

Source: AP, 03/13/2026

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