Science Quickly Tamer Raccoons, COP30 Recap, New Fluoride Research
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Nov 24, 2025 Zoya Teirstein, a senior staff writer at Grist and climate reporter, shares insights from the recent COP30 in Brazil. She discusses the crucial negotiations for vulnerable nations and the lack of political will for climate action. Zoya highlights the participation of Indigenous voices advocating for Amazon protections and the significance of Germany's tropical forest fund. Additionally, she covers a massive study debunking claims about fluoride impacting child IQ and fascinating findings about urban raccoons evolving traits linked to domestication.
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COPs Determine Climate Trajectory
- COP meetings shape whether global emissions decline or keep rising.
- Zoya Teirstein says political will, not technology, is the main barrier to climate progress.
U.S. Absence Raises Stakes
- The United States skipped COP30 after withdrawing from the Paris Agreement again.
- Zoya warns the world is on track to surpass 1.5 °C and possibly 2 °C without stronger commitments.
Finance Gap Threatens Vulnerable Nations
- Vulnerable low-lying island states urgently need climate finance for adaptation and mitigation.
- Zoya notes money commitments are lagging due to global budget strains and geopolitical priorities.