LEAD IN:

Today (28 February), a wide-ranging report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is expected to be published.

The United Nations released another on 17 February which specifically warns that wildfires are becoming more severe.

They predict the blazes will become more frequent and include areas previously unaffected by fires as a result of climate change.

STORY-LINE:

Undergrowth burns and smoke fills the sky in Evia, Greece.

Wildfires are a normal part of nature's cycle.

But climate change is distorting the phenomena into something more dangerous.

A new Frontiers report published by the UN Environment Programme predicts the blazes will become more frequent, more severe and will happen in places where wildfires did not previously occur.

"The report shows how wildfire risks are increasing around the world, including due to human caused climate change, shows these trends towards more unprecedented fire conditions, including more extreme fires and longer fire seasons," says Andrew Dowdy, a climate scientist at the University of Melbourne and co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report.

"It's scary to see these changes already impacting on the world. And then also even more scary to think about how these increases in fire risk are projected to occur in the future, getting more extreme due to greenhouse gas emissions."

In the US, the Biden administration has crafted a $50 billion plan to tackle catastrophic wildfires that have torched areas of the US West.

Officials want to more than double the use of controlled fires and logging to reduce trees and other vegetation that serves as tinder in the most at-risk areas. Only some of the work has funding so far.

"The increase in the dangerous fire weather conditions is driven in part through increasing temperatures, and that can influence also the relative humidity of the air, and that can help dry out some of the vegetation and that can lead to more fuel that's dry and available for fires to burn around the world," says Dowdy.

The Frontier report states that every year between 2002 and 2016, an average of 423 million hectares (4.23 million square kilometres) burned across the world.

"This includes regions that are fire prone, but also regions that didn't used to have fires. We're now seeing more fires starting to come into those regions as well," says Dowdy.

As the fires get fiercer, they are triggering dangerous weather conditions that cause the blazes to spread even further.

"In some very extreme fires, the fire plume can actually generate a thunderstorm within it. And these are some of the most extreme fire behaviour and fire atmosphere interactions that we've observed. This can actually also include the fire-generated thunderstorm making new lightning that can ignite a new fire far ahead of the fire front," explains Dowdy.

As well as climate change, deforestation, expanding urban environments, and the suppression of natural fire, is making severe wildfires more common.

The fires also impact human health, as they emit pollutants like black carbon and particulate matter which is carried downwind for long distances.

The UN report is calling for investment in reducing the risks of wildfires, better prevention and management strategies, and improved use of satellites, radar and lighting detection to monitor the fires.

"To avoid disastrous impacts, our ability to prepare for the extreme fires must keep up with the rate of climate change accelerating that threat. So by highlighting this point, we hope that groups around the world can work towards enhanced climate change adaptation, the changing fire risks, as well as through reducing greenhouse gases to slow the rate of global warming," says Dowdy.

This is the fourth edition of the Frontiers report which was first published in 2016. It's titled 'Noise, Blazes and Mismatches: Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern'.

Its release comes days before the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Evia, Greece - 13 August 2019

1. Various of wildfires around Makrimalli village

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"The report shows how wildfire risks are increasing around the world, including due to human caused climate change, shows these trends towards more unprecedented fire conditions, including more extreme fires and longer fire seasons. And it's scary to see these changes already impacting on the world. And then also even more scary to think about how these increases in fire risk are projected to occur into the future, getting more extreme due to greenhouse gas emissions."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Plumas National Forest, California, US - 8 July 2021

3. Various of wildfires burning in forestland in far Northern California

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"The increase in the dangerous fire weather conditions is driven in part through increasing temperatures, and that can influence also the relative humidity of the air, and that can help dry out some of the vegetation and that can lead to more fuel that's dry and available for fires to burn around the world."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Near Vila Nova Samuel, Brazil - 26 August 2019

5. Various of wildfire and firefighters near the Jacunda National Forest Reserve

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"This includes regions that are fire prone, but also regions that didn't used to have fires. We're now seeing more fires starting to come into those regions as well."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: New South Wales, Australia - 4 January 2020

7. Various of fire in bushland next to major highway north of Moruya

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"In some very extreme fires, the fire plume can actually generate a thunderstorm within it. And these are some of the most extreme fire behaviour and fire atmosphere interactions that we've observed. This can actually also include the fire-generated thunderstorm making new lightning that can ignite a new fire far ahead of the fire front."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Siliana, Tunisia - 11 August 2021

9. Various of wildfire and firefighting in forest

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"To avoid disastrous impacts, our ability to prepare for the extreme fires must keep up with the rate of climate change accelerating that threat. So by highlighting this point, we hope that groups around the world can work towards enhanced climate change adaptation, the changing fire risks, as well as through reducing greenhouse gases to slow the rate of global warming."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Milas, Turkey - 5 August 2021

11. Various of wildfire and firefighters in forest

LEAD IN:

A UN report released today (Thursday 17 February) warns that wildfires are becoming more severe.

They predict the blazes will become more frequent and include areas previously unaffected by fires as a result of climate change.

STORY-LINE:

Undergrowth burns and smoke fills the sky in Evia, Greece.

Wildfires are a normal part of nature's cycle.

But climate change is distorting the phenomena into something more dangerous.

A new Frontiers report published by the UN Environment Programme predicts the blazes will become more frequent, more severe and will happen in places where wildfires did not previously occur.

"The report shows how wildfire risks are increasing around the world, including due to human caused climate change, shows these trends towards more unprecedented fire conditions, including more extreme fires and longer fire seasons," says Andrew Dowdy, a climate scientist at the University of Melbourne and co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report.

"It's scary to see these changes already impacting on the world. And then also even more scary to think about how these increases in fire risk are projected to occur in the future, getting more extreme due to greenhouse gas emissions."

In the US, the Biden administration has crafted a $50 billion plan to tackle catastrophic wildfires that have torched areas of the US West.

Officials want to more than double the use of controlled fires and logging to reduce trees and other vegetation that serves as tinder in the most at-risk areas. Only some of the work has funding so far.

"The increase in the dangerous fire weather conditions is driven in part through increasing temperatures, and that can influence also the relative humidity of the air, and that can help dry out some of the vegetation and that can lead to more fuel that's dry and available for fires to burn around the world," says Dowdy.

The Frontier report states that every year between 2002 and 2016, an average of 423 million hectares (4.23 million square kilometres) burned across the world.

"This includes regions that are fire prone, but also regions that didn't used to have fires. We're now seeing more fires starting to come into those regions as well," says Dowdy.

As the fires get fiercer, they are triggering dangerous weather conditions that cause the blazes to spread even further.

"In some very extreme fires, the fire plume can actually generate a thunderstorm within it. And these are some of the most extreme fire behaviour and fire atmosphere interactions that we've observed. This can actually also include the fire-generated thunderstorm making new lightning that can ignite a new fire far ahead of the fire front," explains Dowdy.

As well as climate change, deforestation, expanding urban environments, and the suppression of natural fire, is making severe wildfires more common.

The fires also impact human health, as they emit pollutants like black carbon and particulate matter which is carried downwind for long distances.

The UN report is calling for investment in reducing the risks of wildfires, better prevention and management strategies, and improved use of satellites, radar and lighting detection to monitor the fires.

"To avoid disastrous impacts, our ability to prepare for the extreme fires must keep up with the rate of climate change accelerating that threat. So by highlighting this point, we hope that groups around the world can work towards enhanced climate change adaptation, the changing fire risks, as well as through reducing greenhouse gases to slow the rate of global warming," says Dowdy.

This is the fourth edition of the Frontiers report which was first published in 2016. It's titled 'Noise, Blazes and Mismatches: Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern'.

Its release comes days before the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Evia, Greece - 13 August 2019

1. Various of wildfires around Makrimalli village

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"The report shows how wildfire risks are increasing around the world, including due to human caused climate change, shows these trends towards more unprecedented fire conditions, including more extreme fires and longer fire seasons. And it's scary to see these changes already impacting on the world. And then also even more scary to think about how these increases in fire risk are projected to occur into the future, getting more extreme due to greenhouse gas emissions."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Plumas National Forest, California, US - 8 July 2021

3. Various of wildfires burning in forestland in far Northern California

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"The increase in the dangerous fire weather conditions is driven in part through increasing temperatures, and that can influence also the relative humidity of the air, and that can help dry out some of the vegetation and that can lead to more fuel that's dry and available for fires to burn around the world."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Near Vila Nova Samuel, Brazil - 26 August 2019

5. Various of wildfire and firefighters near the Jacunda National Forest Reserve

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"This includes regions that are fire prone, but also regions that didn't used to have fires. We're now seeing more fires starting to come into those regions as well."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: New South Wales, Australia - 4 January 2020

7. Various of fire in bushland next to major highway north of Moruya

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"In some very extreme fires, the fire plume can actually generate a thunderstorm within it. And these are some of the most extreme fire behaviour and fire atmosphere interactions that we've observed. This can actually also include the fire-generated thunderstorm making new lightning that can ignite a new fire far ahead of the fire front."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Siliana, Tunisia - 11 August 2021

9. Various of wildfire and firefighting in forest

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Melbourne, Australia - 16 February 2022

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Dowdy, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, co-author of wildfires section of UN Frontiers report:

"To avoid disastrous impacts, our ability to prepare for the extreme fires must keep up with the rate of climate change accelerating that threat. So by highlighting this point, we hope that groups around the world can work towards enhanced climate change adaptation, the changing fire risks, as well as through reducing greenhouse gases to slow the rate of global warming."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Milas, Turkey - 5 August 2021

11. Various of wildfire and firefighters in forest

Three years after sealing a landmark global climate deal in Paris, world leaders will be gathering again to agree on the fine print in Katowice, Poland from 2 December.

The euphoria of 2015 has given way to sober realisation that getting an agreement among almost 200 countries, each with their own political and economic demands, will be challenging, as evidenced by President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris accord, citing his mantra "America First."

"Looking from the outside perspective, it's an impossible task," Poland's deputy environment minister, Michal Kurtyka, said of the talks that he will preside in Katowice from December 2-14.

Top of the agenda will be finalising the so-called Paris rulebook, which determines how countries had to count their greenhouse gas emissions, transparently reporting them to the rest of the world and reveal what they are doing to reduce them.

Seasoned negotiators are calling the meeting, which is expected to draw 25,000 participants, 'Paris 2.0' because of the high stakes at play in Katowice.

Forest fires from California to Greece, droughts in Germany and Australia, tropical cyclones Mangkhut in the Pacific and Michael in the Atlantic: scientists say this year's extreme weather offers a glimpse of disasters to come if global warming continues unabated.

A recent report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that time is running out if the world wants to achieve the most ambitious target in the Paris agreement, keeping global warming at 1.5 Celsius.

The planet has already warmed by almost 1 degree since pre-industrial times and it is on course for another 2-3 degrees of warming by the end of the century unless drastic action is taken.

The Katowice conference will have "quite significant consequences for humanity and for the way in which we take care of our planet," Kurtyka told the Associated Press ahead of the talks.

Experts agree that the Paris goals can only be met by cutting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050.

But the Paris agreement let countries set their own emissions targets. Some are on track, others are not. Overall, the world is heading the wrong way.

Last week, the World Meteorological Organization said globally averaged concentrations of carbon dioxide reached a new record in 2017, while the level of other heat-trapping gases such methane and nitrous oxide also rose.

2018 is expected to see another 2 per cent increase in human-made emissions, as construction of coal-fired power plants in Asia and Africa continue while the number of carbon-absorbing forests are felled faster than they can regrow.

"Everyone recognised that the national plans, when you add everything up, will take us way beyond 3, potentially 4 degrees Celsius warming," said Johan Rockstrom, the incoming Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

"We know that we're moving in the wrong direction," said Rockstrom. "We need to bend the global carbon emissions no later than 2020, in two years' time, to stand a chance to stay under 2 degrees Celsius."

Convincing countries to set new, tougher targets for emissions reduction by 2020 is a key challenge in Katowice.

Doing so will entail a transformation of all sectors of their economies, including a complete end to burning fossil fuel.

Poor nations want rich countries to pledge the biggest cuts, on the grounds that they're responsible for most of the carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

Rich countries say they are willing to lead the way, but only if poor nations play their part as well.

"Obviously not all countries are at the same stage of development," said Lidia Wojtal, an associate with Berlin-based consultancy ClimateKos and a former Polish climate negotiator.

"So we need to also take that into account and differentiate between the responsibilities. And that's a huge task," she added.

Among those likely to be pressing hardest for ambitious measures will be small island nations, which are already facing serious challenges from climate change.

The US, meanwhile, is far from being the driving force it was in Paris under President Barack Obama.

Brazil and Australia, previously staunch backers of the accord, appeared to be following in Trump's footsteps.

Some observers fear nationalist thinking on climate could scupper all hopes of meaningful progress in Katowice. Others are more optimistic.

"We will soon see a large enough minority of significant economies moving decisively in the right direction," said Rockstrom.

"That can have spillover effects which can be positive," he added.

Poland could end up playing a crucial role in bringing opposing sides together.

The country presided over three previous rounds of climate talks, and its heavy reliance on carbon-intensive coal for energy is forcing Warsaw to mull some tough measures in the years ahead.

The 24th Conference of the Parties, or COP24 as it is known, will be held on the site of a Katowice mine that was closed in 1999, after 176 years of coal production.

Five out of the city's seven collieries have been closed since the 1990s, as Poland phased out communist-era subsidies and moved to a market economy.

Still, in another part of the city, some 1,500 miners continue to extract thousands of tons of coal daily.

Poland intends to send a signal that their future, and by extension that of millions of others whose jobs are at risk from decarbonisation, aren't being forgotten.

During the first week of talks, leaders are expected to sign a Polish-backed declaration calling for a "just transition" that will "create quality jobs in regions affected by transition to a low-carbon economy."

Then, negotiators will get down to the gritty task of trimming a 300-page draft into a workable and meaningful agreement that governments can sign off on at the end of the second week.

"I hope that parties will be able to reach a compromise and that we will be able to say that Katowice contributed positively to this global effort," Kurtyka said.

ARCHIVE: Redding, California, US - 28 July 2018

1. House burning down in Northern California wildfire

2. Firefighter spraying water on fire

3. House and forest on fire

4. Fire and ashes on the ground

ARCHIVE: Venice, Italy - 1 November 2018

5. People walking through flooded archway in boots

6. People in flooded archway

7. Flooded St Mark's Square in front of St Mark's Basilica, with seagull swimming in water

ARCHIVE: Manila Bay, Philippines - 15 September 2018

8. Palm trees waving as typhoon Mangkhut hits  

9. Traffic driving through floodwaters, with waves crashing in the background

Katowice, Poland - 20 November 2018

10. COP24 conference centre in front of adjacent "Spodek" Arena accommodating NGO area and exhibits

11. Logo of "COP24 Katowice" on COP24 conference centre

12. Workers applying design elements on COP24 conference centre

13. COP24 conference centre

14. COP24 conference site with tents, "Spodek" Arena and green areas

15. COP24 conference site in front of closed mine turned into Silesian museum and culture centre

Warsaw, Poland - 9 November 2018

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Michal Kurtyka, COP24 President and Polish Deputy Environment Minister:

"Looking from the outside perspective, it's an impossible task, getting agreed 196 countries, and I take it really in a very humble way, so I hope that parties will be able to reach a compromise and that we will be able to say that Katowice contributed positively to this global effort."

Katowice, Poland - 20 November 2018

17. Workers inside plenary hall of COP24 conference

18. Tables and screens in COP24 plenary hall

19. Workers unfolding posters reading (English) "Touch points in Katowice"

20. Hall in COP24 conference venue

21. People on stairs from COP24 conference entrance

Warsaw, Poland - 9 November 2018

22. Close up of Kurtyka's hands

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Michal Kurtyka, COP24 President and Polish Deputy Environment minister:

"It will be, I think, one of the important COPs, and we must remain humble, but it will be the one which will have also quite significant consequences for humanity and for the way we take care of our planet."

ARCHIVE: Panama City, Florida, US - 10 October 2018

24. Debris and damaged vehicle, hit by Hurricane Michael

25. View from inside hotel looking out front window as canopy collapses and Hurricane Michael sends debris flying

26. Damaged vehicle in debris

ARCHIVE: Near Magdeburg, Germany - 25 October 2018

27. River Elbe at record low level, with sandbanks

ARCHIVE: Cologne, Germany - 25 October 2018

28. Sandbanks at river Rhine

Berlin, Germany - 7 November 2018

29. Former Polish climate negotiator Lidia Wojtal walking down hallway

30. SOUNDBITE (English) Lidia Wojtal, an associate with ClimateKos consultancy and former Polish climate negotiator:

"In Paris, we decided that everybody is going to contribute to this new system, so no exceptions, everybody is doing something. And the Paris rulebook is actually about who and how we are going to contribute to that. Obviously not all countries are at the same stage of development and capacity building, so we need to also take that into account and differentiate between the responsibilities. And that's a huge task."

Katowice, Poland - 20 November 2018

31. Former mine shaft tower beside high-rise building

32. Site of 2018 COP24 UN climate conference in front of Silesian museum and Culture Centre

33. "Spodek" arena on conference site

34. Cars on street in Katowice

Berlin, Germany - 7 November 2018

35. Designated Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Johan Rockstrom talking to colleague at briefing

36. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan Rockstrom, ecologist and designated Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research:

"Everyone recognised that the national plans, when you add everything up, will take us way beyond 3, potentially 4 degrees Celsius warming, so these national plans have to be revised and updated. And we know scientifically that we have to bend the global curve of emissions no later than 2020, so just the year after Katowice. We know that we're moving in the wrong direction. So, 2018 and 2019 are decisive years for all countries in the world to revise their plans, and really start implementing de-carbonisation policies and pathways."

37. Close up of Johan Rockstrom's hands

38. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan Rockstrom, designated director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research:

"We are starting to see a momentum rising, not yet, you know, universally all countries. But I foresee that we will soon see a large enough minority of significant economies moving decisively in the right direction, that can have spillover effects which can be positive."

ARCHIVE: Hambach Forest, Germany - 27 October 2018

39. Anti-coal demonstrators marching in protest against coal, climate change, and to save ancient Hambach Forest, a forest at risk of being felled for mining operations by energy giant RWE

40. Demonstrators marching

41. Large coal excavator moving

42. Protesters gathering at edge of RWE mine beside large coal excavator

43. Coal mine with large coal excavator

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4346243

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi highlights the climate provisions and need for U.S. emissions reductions in the Build Back Better legislation before Congress as the world's nations prepare to gather for a climate summit next month in Glasgow, Scotland.

Pelosi along with fellow Democrats representing congressional panels geared for combating climate crisis said Tuesday, "We can pass significant legislation to help America meet its emissions goals and to also help us help other countries meet theirs."

As President Joe Biden visited one disaster site after another this summer - from California wildfires  to hurricane-induced flooding in Louisiana and New York - he said climate change is "everybody's crisis" and America must get serious about the "code red" danger posed by global warming.

Biden and Democrats are pursuing a sweeping $3.5 trillion federal overhaul that includes landmark measures to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in what would be the most consequential environmental policies ever enacted, after years of fits and starts.

Sidelined after the former administration withdrew from the landmark Paris climate accord - the 2015 global effort to confront climate change - the U.S. has returned to the arena, with Biden promising world leaders in April that the U.S. would cut carbon pollution in half by 2030.

Pelosi said, "We're very blessed to have a president of the United States who understands the science of this, that it is clear the climate crisis is here and it's taking its toll."

Pelosi added, "The president has made this very special to the to his agenda. He will go to Glasgow and want him to do so with legislation that is passed that helps, again, confirms our commitment to the Paris Accords by honoring our commitment to emission standards."

But following through on Biden's climate goals depends in large part on passage of the Democratic package, and it will take the White House's heft to close the deal between centrist and progressive lawmakers, including disputes over its climate provisions.

As Democrats rush to finish a package that touches almost all aspects of American life, the proposals related to climate change are proving to be a sticking point, particularly among key centrist lawmakers.

The president was meeting Tuesday with Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona as Democrats chip away at the package's overall price tag and marshal support. With Republicans in lockstep against the plan, Democrats have few votes to spare as they try to pass it on their own.

Yet, for many Democrats, and voters who elected them - the climate provisions are among the most important elements of the sweeping bill. A poll last month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 83% of Democrats are very concerned about climate change, compared with just 21% of Republicans.

"This is a 'Code Red' moment, but Democrats are answering the call,'' said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, chairwoman of a special House committee on climate change.

"Our only hope to avoid catastrophe is to act with urgency -- to act now,'' Castor said Tuesday at the Capitol. She called climate change "a clear and present danger to American families who are facing brutal heat waves, devastating floods, failed electric grids and historic wildfires.''

The Democratic plan will make historic investments in clean energy, climate resilience and environmental justice, she said. "We have to get this right.''

Included in the massive legislation is a nationwide clean-electricity program that is intended to eliminate climate-damaging fossil fuel emissions from U.S. power plants by 2035 - catching up to requirements already set in some states.

The proposal would spend billions to install 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations and upgrade the power grid to make it more resilient during hurricanes and other extreme weather events that are increasing and intensifying as a result of climate change.

The measure also would create a New Deal-style Civilian Climate Corps to unleash an army of young people to work in public lands and restoration projects.

The U.S. had 22 climate and weather disasters in 2020 with losses exceeding $1 billion each. Hurricane Ida and other recent disasters are likely to cost tens of billions more.

A slimmer $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill  the House is set to consider Thursday addresses some of these priorities, with money for climate resiliency, water system upgrades and other provisions.

But progressive Democrats say a far more comprehensive approach is needed if the U.S is to have a chance to achieve Biden's goal of cutting the nation's greenhouse gas emissions in half, leaving both packages at a standstill as talks continue behind the scenes.

Overall, the Biden package aims to provide more than $600 billion to tackle climate change and lower greenhouse gas emissions, funded in large part by taxes on corporations, the wealthy  and other fees, keeping to Biden's pledge not to raise taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000 a year.

Washington, DC - 28 September 2021

1. Wide House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds Build Back Better Act event

ANNOTATION: Pelosi pushes climate priority in upcoming bills

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:

"The outside mobilization on all of this is what brought us to this place where we can pass significant legislation to help America meet its emissions goals and to also help us help other countries meet theirs."

++WHITE FLASH++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:

"We're very blessed to have a president of the United States who understands the science of this, that it is clear the climate crisis is here and it's taking its toll."

++WHITE FLASH++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:

"The president has made this very special to the to his agenda. He will go to Glasgow and want him to do so with legislation that is passed that helps, again, confirms our commitment to the Paris Accords by honoring our commitment to emission standards."

++WHITE FLASH++

++WIDE SHOT, CAMERA PUSHES TO CASTOR++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Kathy Castor, (D) Florida:

"Well, this is it, it's code red. Code red moment, but Democrats are answering the call."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Kathy Castor, (D) Florida:

"We know what we have to do. And our only hope to avoid catastrophe is to act with urgency, to act now."

++BLACK FRAMES++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Kathy Castor, (D) Florida:

"The climate crisis is a clear and present danger to American families who are facing brutal heat waves, devastating floods, failed electric grids and historic wildfires. That is why we are fighting so hard for the Build Back Better Act with President Biden. It will make historic investments in clean energy and climate resilience and environmental justice to make America stronger and more resilient. Let me say it again. This is our code red moment. We have to get this right."

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi highlights the climate provisions and need for U.S. emissions reductions in the Build Back Better legislation before Congress as the world's nations prepare to gather for a climate summit next month in Glasgow, Scotland.

Pelosi along with fellow Democrats representing congressional panels geared for combating climate crisis said Tuesday, "We can pass significant legislation to help America meet its emissions goals and to also help us help other countries meet theirs."

As President Joe Biden visited one disaster site after another this summer - from California wildfires  to hurricane-induced flooding in Louisiana and New York - he said climate change is "everybody's crisis" and America must get serious about the "code red" danger posed by global warming.

Biden and Democrats are pursuing a sweeping $3.5 trillion federal overhaul that includes landmark measures to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in what would be the most consequential environmental policies ever enacted, after years of fits and starts.

Sidelined after the former administration withdrew from the landmark Paris climate accord - the 2015 global effort to confront climate change - the U.S. has returned to the arena, with Biden promising world leaders in April that the U.S. would cut carbon pollution in half by 2030.

Pelosi said, "We're very blessed to have a president of the United States who understands the science of this, that it is clear the climate crisis is here and it's taking its toll."

Pelosi added, "The president has made this very special to the to his agenda. He will go to Glasgow and want him to do so with legislation that is passed that helps, again, confirms our commitment to the Paris Accords by honoring our commitment to emission standards."

But following through on Biden's climate goals depends in large part on passage of the Democratic package, and it will take the White House's heft to close the deal between centrist and progressive lawmakers, including disputes over its climate provisions.

As Democrats rush to finish a package that touches almost all aspects of American life, the proposals related to climate change are proving to be a sticking point, particularly among key centrist lawmakers.

The president was meeting Tuesday with Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona as Democrats chip away at the package's overall price tag and marshal support. With Republicans in lockstep against the plan, Democrats have few votes to spare as they try to pass it on their own.

Yet, for many Democrats, and voters who elected them - the climate provisions are among the most important elements of the sweeping bill. A poll last month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 83% of Democrats are very concerned about climate change, compared with just 21% of Republicans.

"This is a 'Code Red' moment, but Democrats are answering the call,'' said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, chairwoman of a special House committee on climate change.

"Our only hope to avoid catastrophe is to act with urgency -- to act now,'' Castor said Tuesday at the Capitol. She called climate change "a clear and present danger to American families who are facing brutal heat waves, devastating floods, failed electric grids and historic wildfires.''

The Democratic plan will make historic investments in clean energy, climate resilience and environmental justice, she said. "We have to get this right.''

Included in the massive legislation is a nationwide clean-electricity program that is intended to eliminate climate-damaging fossil fuel emissions from U.S. power plants by 2035 - catching up to requirements already set in some states.

The proposal would spend billions to install 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations and upgrade the power grid to make it more resilient during hurricanes and other extreme weather events that are increasing and intensifying as a result of climate change.

The measure also would create a New Deal-style Civilian Climate Corps to unleash an army of young people to work in public lands and restoration projects.

The U.S. had 22 climate and weather disasters in 2020 with losses exceeding $1 billion each. Hurricane Ida and other recent disasters are likely to cost tens of billions more.

A slimmer $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill  the House is set to consider Thursday addresses some of these priorities, with money for climate resiliency, water system upgrades and other provisions.

But progressive Democrats say a far more comprehensive approach is needed if the U.S is to have a chance to achieve Biden's goal of cutting the nation's greenhouse gas emissions in half, leaving both packages at a standstill as talks continue behind the scenes.

Overall, the Biden package aims to provide more than $600 billion to tackle climate change and lower greenhouse gas emissions, funded in large part by taxes on corporations, the wealthy  and other fees, keeping to Biden's pledge not to raise taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000 a year.

Washington, DC - 28 September 2021

1. Wide House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds Build Back Better Act event

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:

"The outside mobilization on all of this is what brought us to this place where we can pass significant legislation to help America meet its emissions goals and to also help us help other countries meet theirs."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:

"We're very blessed to have a president of the United States who understands the science of this, that it is clear the climate crisis is here and it's taking its toll. The recent IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) made clear we face a code red for humanity because of the climate crisis. And that is why by inspired by the American people, led by a climate champions and President Biden, our Democratic majorities in Congress are taking action. I wish this could be bipartisan, but that's part of the public sentiment that we have to have success with."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:

"The president has made this very special to the to his agenda. He will go to Glasgow and want him to do so with legislation that is passed that helps, again, confirms our commitment to the Paris Accords by honoring our commitment to emission standards."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House:

"So, in my view, as I say, it would be a dereliction of duty to build infrastructure that takes us in the wrong direction instead of in the positive direction. We intend to do that."

++BLACK FRAMES++

++WIDE SHOT, CAMERA PUSHES TO CASTOR++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Kathy Castor, (D) Florida:

"Well, this is it, it's code red. Code red moment, but Democrats are answering the call and we're fighting for hardworking American families to create good paying jobs, cut taxes, lower cost and build back better with clean energy."

++BLACK FRAMES++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Kathy Castor, (D) Florida:

"We know what we have to do. And our only hope to avoid catastrophe is to act with urgency, to act now."

++BLACK FRAMES++

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Kathy Castor, (D) Florida:

"The climate crisis is a clear and present danger to American families who are facing brutal heat waves, devastating floods, failed electric grids and historic wildfires. That is why we are fighting so hard for the Build Back Better Act with President Biden. It will make historic investments in clean energy and climate resilience and environmental justice to make America stronger and more resilient. Let me say it again. This is our code red moment. We have to get this right."

9. Cutaway