“Now is the time for courage and action.” Pope Francis 

It’s a big week for the state of the world’s climate and for the future prosperity of the Earth’s more than seven billion citizens.

Global leaders, scientists, and grassroots advocates have gathered in New York City for Climate Week to convene on action and commitment towards a low carbon transition.  Why does this matter? The science is clear: Global warming is indisputable, and it is 95% certain that human activities are the cause.

What’s more, climate change is intensifying the world’s biggest problems, escalating poverty, world hunger, and the refugee crisis. In remarks today to the U.S. Congress, Pope Francis underscored the need for global, united action noting that, “our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War.” The poor and marginalized are the most vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change.

Yet, now the world is fighting back in an extraordinary year of global action. Calling bold action on climate change a “moral imperative,” Pope Francis will open a special summit at the United Nations tomorrow where a new global agenda is to be set forth for the prosperity of people and planet.  An unprecedented number of media will be present to record history as world leaders from 193 member countries of the UN officially adopt the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the global goals.

This weekend’s events will culminate in what’s been a surge of global conversation for pressing world issues like climate change.  From India to Indonesia, Senegal and the United States, stories of those most affected have been shared with citizens around the world.

Here are five of some of the most popular and compelling stories on climate change in 2015: 

1. Mashable: Troubled water

How access to clean water differs for families across the world.

2. Reuters: Climate-smart development crystallises on Senegal’s salt flats

Salt mining has been identified by local people as key ways to help them adapt to climate extremes and keep the money coming in.

3. VICE News: How climate change impacts the women the most

Climate change directly impacts the ability of women to achieve their own human rights and increases gender inequalities.

4. The Jakarta Post: International financial support is key to fighting climate change

An interview on climate finance with Haoliang Xu, Assistant Secretary General of the UN and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at UNDP.

An Indian bride looks on as she and ten other women waiting to marry wait for their grooms to arrive at their wedding ceremony at a local Hindu temple in New Delhi on March 3, 2014. Eleven couples tied the knot at the same time. AFP PHOTO/Roberto SCHMIDT (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)

With the Global Goals and thanks to engagement from global citizens, for the first time in 20 years of UN negotiations, we’re on track to have a 2015 agreement at the 21st Convention of the Parties (COP21). This Convention aims to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.

A cleaner, more sustainable, and more prosperous world requires adoption and participation at COP21 from all countries.  The world is paying attention.