More than 170 countries have gathered to save critical ecosystems. But the U.S. is a no-show and Russia said it will withdraw from the wetlands treaty.By Katie SurmaVICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe—Scientists and civil society are urging delegates from more than 170 countries represented at a summit here to step up ambitions to combat the continued destruction of Earth’s fastest-disappearing ecosystem.
Observations from the Little Bunker
Last updated: August 18, 2025 04:13 PM
Atmospheric CO₂
425.4 ppm
+18.4
ppm/year
Atmospheric CH₄
1934.91 ppb
+9.11
ppb/year
Global Temperature
+1.48 °C
Peak: +1.73°C
World Population
8.1 billion
+67
million/year