Pressure on big climate polluters is piling up fast.

Last week, a Dutch court ordered oil and gas producer Royal Dutch Shell to slash its planet-heating emissions by 45% by 2030 – in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change and more than double the 20% the company had planned.

ExxonMobil saw seats on its board taken by a tiny hedge fund that will now push the oil giant to bring its business model into line with global climate goals.

In South America, a new landmark lawsuit against Guyana's government charges that continued offshore oil exploration and production by ExxonMobil is unconstitutional. 

Why are climate campaigners turning to the courts? Here's how it's proving an increasingly effective tactic.

Meanwhile, the first official U.N. climate talks since before the coronavirus pandemic get underway this week - online.

The virtual negotiations in the lead-up to planned face-to-face talks at COP26 in Glasgow in November have raised many questions: Will those with poor internet connectivity have a big enough voice? How can different time zones be accommodated? We take a look at the challenges - and how they might be overcome.

And as the northern hemisphere summer approaches, the risks from worsening climate-related heatwaves are becoming more evident.

Miami-Dade County, in steamy southern Florida in the United States, has appointed the first county-level 'heat officer' to find ways to deal with growing heat threats. The Greek city of Athens and Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, plan to add similar positions.

A heatwave also has ruined rice crops this year across a swathe of Bangladesh, raising fears about future food security for millions of people as global warming strengthens.

More frequent and severe heat is also part of what's driving a growing mental health crisis linked to climate change, researchers say, with suicides on the rise during particularly hot periods.

Wondering how city officials trying to act on climate change can genuinely consult residents? Here's a look at how Bogota has crowdsourced ideas for its new transport plan - with some really wonderful photos.

See you next week!

Laurie

From suicide to 'eco-anxiety', climate change spurs mental health crisis
Mental stresses are growing for families hit by more extreme heat, flooded homes and worries about a hotter planet - but the impacts are little measured so far

Bogota crowdsources a green transport future to cut emissions
As Colombia’s capital aims for net-zero by 2050, it is asking residents what changes they want – and more bike lanes, electric buses and cable cars are now in the plans

Digital divide: How to unmute climate voices in poorer nations
Some officials and activists in poorer parts of the Global South face technology barriers as climate events move online - so how can organisers ensure they are included?

A year after Cyclone Amphan, for some survivors 'there is nothing'
A year after Amphan roared through South Asia, an estimated half-million people in southern Bangladesh are still struggling to recover

Climate lawsuits snowball as South Americans seek a healthy environment
Legal cases have aimed to force governments - and more recently corporations - to shift away from fossil fuels, and rapidly increase investment in renewable energy

New city 'heat officers' take aim at climate change's 'silent killer'
As urban areas worldwide face a growing threat from heatwaves, they are starting to plan ways to protect their vulnerable residents

Nature funding must triple by 2030 to protect land, wildlife and climate
Investment of about $8 trillion is needed by 2050 to help meet climate goals and stem the loss of plant and animal species, says a new U.N. report

Going carbon-neutral is a business opportunity, says S.Korean minister
Moon Sung-wook urged advanced and developing economies to work closely together "to find creative and innovative solutions" to curb climate change

As rising 'heat shocks' ruin rice crops, Bangladesh faces hunger risk
Heat stress - caused by high temperatures, low rainfall and low humidity - disrupted rice growth this spring, with climate experts warning of a threat to food supplies

Why are climate campaigners turning to the courts?
The number of legal cases seeking stronger climate action or compensation has nearly doubled over the last three years