China: Beijing issues first ever red smog alert

Chinas capital Beijing issued its first ever red alert, the highest of a four-colour warning system for pollution, late on 7 December, as the city government warned that Beijing would be shrouded in heavy smog for three days starting from the following morning. Chinas leadership has vowed to crack down on environmental degradation, including the air pollution that blankets many major cities, following decades of unbridled economic growth. Dec 8, 2015

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Dont listen to the climate change cynics

Former California governor and Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger told delegates at the United Nations climate conference on 7 December to ignore the naysayers who say a global deal is out of reach. The motivational address came as ministers representing many of the 195 parties met in Paris with the talks moving into their second phase before a 11 December deadline for an agreement. Dec 7, 2015