US, Dec. 27 -- Climate change is no longer only an environmental emergency. It is increasingly being recognised as a direct violation of human rights, according to senior United Nations officials and leading scientists, who warn that the world is failing to act fast enough to protect lives, livelihoods, and entire nations.

Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk posed a stark question to governments:

"Are we taking the steps needed to protect people from climate chaos, safeguard their futures and manage natural resources in ways that respect human rights and the environment?"

His answer was unequivocal: we are not doing nearly enough.

That message is echoed by Professor ...