Schmitt’s decision signals a change in approach from his predecessor, former Sen. Roy Blunt, who McConnell often relied on to get bipartisan deals through the Senate.
2020 was one of the three hottest years on record, marked by wildfires, droughts, floods and melting glaciers, a United Nations report said on Monday, prompting the UN Secretary-General to say the world stands “on the verge of the abyss”.
In a “double blow” to millions hit by the extreme climate events, lockdown restrictions linked to the global coronavirus pandemic also delayed crucial assistance in some regions, said the report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The State of the Global Climate report confirms its preliminary findings, including on land and ocean temperatures, and comes ahead of a US-led summit on April 22-23 where Washington will seek to restore its credibility on climate change through fresh pledges.