The U.N. weather agency predicts an 80% chance average global temperatures will surpass the 1.5 Celsius target laid out in the Paris climate accord.

Vermont has become the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather. Republican Gov. Phil Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature late Thursday. Scott wrote in his message to lawmakers that taking on ‘Big Oil’ should not be taken lightly and that he is concerned about the costs and outcomes of the small state doing that alone. Maryland, Massachusetts and New York are considering similar measures.