They also discussed climate change challenges and their impacts on international peace and security…reports Asian Lite News
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the National Higher Committee Overseeing Preparations for the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), met with John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
During the meeting, which was held in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Abdullah and Kerry reviewed the UAE-US cooperation on climate change, with the UAE top diplomat briefing Kerry on the UAE’s preparations to host this major global event in less than a month, and the myriad opportunities available to enhance joint cooperation within the framework of COP28.
They also discussed climate change challenges and their impacts on international peace and security.
Sheikh Abdullah underscored the UAE’s keenness on establishing a distinguished and pioneering model of partnership with the United States in the field of climate change, based on the strategic relations binding the two friendly countries.
He pointed out that the UAE-US cooperation in the field of climate change has fructified into several qualitative initiatives and projects that support the efforts of the two countries to achieve sustainable economic growth and enhance global climate action.
Sheikh Abdullah noted that the UAE looks forward to achieving a qualitative leap in the global response to the impacts of climate change during its hosting of COP28, as part of an integrated approach based on inclusivity, innovation, and multilateral action, in support of the efforts being made to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, President of COP28.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber’s remarks came during the third Climate and Development Ministerial, which was convened at Pre-COP, and co-hosted by the United Kingdom, Vanuatu and Malawi….reports Asian Lite News
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President, has called for greater efforts to tackle adaptation finance gaps and prioritise actions to make climate finance more accessible to vulnerable nations.
His remarks came during the third Climate and Development Ministerial, which was convened at Pre-COP, and co-hosted by the United Kingdom, Vanuatu and Malawi.
“People and the planet lie at the heart of the climate process- which is focused on protecting lives, livelihoods and nature,” Dr Sultan said.
Addressing delegates, Dr. Sultan said, “To guarantee an inclusive and equitable transition to low-carbon and resilient growth, the voices of emerging and developing countries must not go unheard. COP28 must leverage an adequate response to the Global Stocktake and set out a pathway to fill the financing gaps and address shortcomings in the global climate finance architecture.”
Co-hosts the United Kingdom stressed the need to support the most vulnerable. Graham Stuart, UK Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said, “The UK is determined to deliver on its ambitious climate commitments while supporting those most at risk from the impacts of climate change – represented by our $2 billion contribution to the Green Climate Fund earlier this year.
“These pre-COP discussions are key to shaping the agenda for COP28. Together with our international partners, we will delve into the challenges and opportunities involved in our mission to reduce CO2 and help the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change. We’ll hear different perspectives on the global effort to keep 1.5°C within reach and encourage every nation to join the UK on a pathway to net zero.”
The importance of the Ministerial was highlighted by the Vanuatu Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geohazards and Disasters Management, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu. He said, “As we gather today, the people of Vanuatu are right now facing a landscape destroyed by Cyclone Lola that hit just days ago. Climate impacts are growing daily in the Pacific Islands as the cause of the crisis continues unabated.”
“Adaptation and resilience initiatives are a last line of defence, literally saving lives in Vanuatu, by minimising the impacts of the worsening climate crisis. Yet, Small Island Developing States struggle to access the funding we need to support the adaptation plans and programs that are so desperately required in our island communities. We stand side-by-side with our co-hosts to ensure the 2023 Climate and Development Ministerial delivers real change. We call on all countries and institutes to bring transformative ambition to this process.”
This view was backed up by the Malawi Minister for Natural Resources and Climate Change, Hon. Dr. Michael Usi. He said, “Least Developed Countries are among the world’s most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, yet have done the least to contribute to the problem.”
“For years we have been calling for improved access and delivery of Climate finance, and more at the local level. This will enable local communities and countries to adapt to climate change and build resilience. We are proud to co-host the Climate and Development Ministerial process this year to drive forward the transformational shift we need in the delivery of the climate finance.”
At the Ministerial – which was started in 2021 to unite and lend support to climate vulnerable countries – Dr. Al Jaber emphasised that dealing with adaptation finance is a fundamental aspect of climate finance reform. Finance, he said, needs to be affordable, available and accessible. It is also one of the four pillars of the COP28 Presidency’s Action Agenda, alongside fast tracking the energy transition, nature, lives and livelihood, and inclusivity.
Dr. Al Jaber said the COP28 Presidency is also working on improving conditions for the most vulnerable countries by reallocating and channelling Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a financial instrument allocated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to the Resilience and Sustainability Trust to address debt sustainability and create fiscal space for resilience investment.
He also highlighted the efforts made by the UAE, including the recent pledge of US$4.5 billion to support clean energy initiatives at the Africa Climate Summit, with the aim of promoting green growth on the continent.
“We are working on all fronts. But we do not have all the answers and there is much to be done,” he said.
Later during the day, in his closing remarks, he commended the countries and institutions nominated to co-lead the delivery of the Vision and Actions for Adaptation Finance, considering it an important milestone ahead of COP28 to prioritise the countries most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
A bedroom is a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation, and plants can enhance this calming atmosphere. Consider a Snake Plant or a Lavender plant…reports Asian Lite News
In the bustling chaos of modern life, finding a moment of tranquility and connection with nature is a precious escape. That’s where the concept of ‘green corners’ comes in-a little oasis in every room that breathes life and serenity into your home. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just looking to introduce some greenery. Niraj Johri, Founder and CEO at Casa Decor shares some tips on how to create a green corner in every room.
Welcome Guests with a Green Entryway
The entryway is the first impression your home makes on visitors. Adding a touch of green here not only sets a welcoming tone but also purifies the air as guests step inside. Consider placing a hardy plant like a Snake Plant (Sansevieria) or a Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) near the entrance. These resilient plants thrive in a variety of lighting conditions and are excellent air purifiers.
Switch Artificial Greens with Natural Flora in your Living Room
The living room is often the heart of the home, and it deserves a lively, green touch. Opt for larger, statement plants like a Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) or a Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica). These not only add a refreshing element but also create an appealing focal point in the room. Explore modern planters and plant stands to match your living room’s aesthetic. These modern planters come in a variety of designer shapes, ensuring they can be displayed anywhere, while plant stands help ensure your plants get the proper light.
Keep Your Bedroom Fresh with Plants
A bedroom is a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation, and plants can enhance this calming atmosphere. Consider a Snake Plant or a Lavender plant. The Snake Plant purifies the air, while Lavender’s fragrance promotes relaxation and sleep. Placing these on bedside tables or hanging macrame planters can add a soothing touch.
Grow Herbs in the Kitchen
What’s better than having fresh herbs at your fingertips in your kitchen? Herbs like basil, rosemary, or mint thrive in indoor environments. You can grow them in small pots on the windowsill or create a vertical herb garden on a sunny wall. Enjoy the convenience of using fresh herbs while cooking, and relish the delightful aroma they bring to your kitchen.
Succulents in the Bathroom
Bathrooms often have limited natural light, making them perfect for low-light, low-maintenance plants like succulents. These charming little plants add a touch of green without demanding too much attention. Aloe vera and Snake Plant varieties work well in bathrooms. Consider using wall floor planters or hanging pots to save precious counter space.
Essentials for Nurturing Your Green Oasis
Garden Watering Cans
To keep your green corner thriving, don’t forget the importance of proper hydration. A garden watering can is an essential tool for nurturing your plants. It allows you to water your plants gently and precisely, avoiding overwatering or creating a mess.
Plant Stands
Plant stands are an excellent addition to any room, providing a platform for your plants to bask in the sunlight. They come in a variety of styles, from sleek and modern to rustic and traditional. Use them to lift your plants to the right height, ensuring they receive the proper light. In addition to their functional benefits, plant stands can be a decorative element themselves, adding a touch of elegance to your home.
Wall Planters
If you’re dealing with limited floor space, wall planters are a smart choice. They allow you to create a vertical garden that adds a stunning visual element to your home. Hang them in your living room, kitchen, or even your bathroom to maximise your green corner without sacrificing precious floor space.
In conclusion, creating a green corner in every room is a delightful way to connect with nature, purify your air, and enhance your home’s ambiance. From welcoming guests with greenery in the entryway to creating a lush living room, refreshing your bedroom, growing herbs in the kitchen, and adding succulents to the bathroom, there are numerous opportunities to bring the outdoors in. With these tips and tools, you can transform your home into a thriving, green sanctuary.
The weather agency said that the cyclone will cross over the Yemen-Oman coasts between Al Ghaidah (Yemen) and Salalah (Oman) around the early hours of October 25….reports Asian Lite News
Cyclone ‘Tej’ brewing over the southwest Arabian Sea has intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department said
“The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Tej’ over west central & adjoining southwest Arabian intensified into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm,” the IMD said on X (formerly Twitter).
The weather agency said that the cyclone will cross over the Yemen-Oman coasts between Al Ghaidah (Yemen) and Salalah (Oman) around the early hours of October 25.
“The WML (Well Marked Low Pressure Area) over the Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression and lay centred at 2330 IST of October 21 over westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 620 km south of Paradip (Odisha), 780 km south of Digha (West Bengal), and 900 km SSW of Khepupara (Bangladesh),” IMD added.
Meanwhile, a depression has formed over the west-central Bay of Bengal, which is likely to further intensify into a deep depression during the next 24 hours, as per IMD.
“It is likely to move northwestwards during the next 12 hours, then recurve and move north-northeastwards during the subsequent 3 days towards Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts,” IMD said.
In June, Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’, which originated in the Arabian Sea, ripped through Kutch and parts of Saurashtra in Gujarat, leaving a trail of destruction.
Likely to bypass Gujarat
The cycline is likely to veer away from Gujarat and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by October 22 evening, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The storm is anticipated to head towards the southern coast of Oman and the neighbouring Yemen, officials on Saturday.
The IMD had previously identified a low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea on October 20 that evolved into a depression, with predictions of it becoming a cyclonic storm by October 21 morning.
Director of the Meteorological Centre in Ahmedabad, Manorama Mohanty, said: “As the cyclone progresses west-northwest, it’s unlikely to affect Gujarat. Consequently, the region is expected to experience dry weather for the forthcoming week.”
Alok Kumar Pandey, Gujarat’s Relief Commissioner, reassured residents, emphasising that the current trajectory shows “no imminent” threat to the state. This development comes after the devastating impacts of Cyclone Biparjoy in June. Originating from the Arabian Sea, the cyclone initially moved westward but later shifted, making landfall in Kutch, leaving significant destruction in its wake.
The Declaration covers a range of areas, including cross-sector collaboration on climate and health…reports Asian Lite News
The COP28 Presidency launched the ‘COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health’ as part of its commitment to make health a central element of the climate agenda. The Presidency made the announcement at the World Health Summit in Berlin, where it called on governments around the world to endorse the Declaration.
The Declaration covers a range of areas, including cross-sector collaboration on climate and health, reducing emissions within the health sector, and increasing the amount and proportion of climate financing devoted to health.
“The link between climate change and health is becoming increasingly evident every day, with diseases like malaria surging as temperatures rise, and extreme weather events impacting people around the globe,” said COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.
“The international community must act now to put health at the center of climate action before we see global health systems overwhelmed. Through the Declaration on Climate and Health we aim to help deliver public health systems that are climate-resilient, sustainable and equitable, and we urge all nations to endorse it.”
The Declaration was developed along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with the support of a number of ‘country champions’ – including Brazil, Malawi, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Kenya, Fiji, India, Egypt, Sierra Leone, and Germany. Kenya, Fiji, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Malawi were also announced as “early endorsers” of the Declaration.
On the launch of the COP28 Declaration on Health and Climate, Minister of Health for Malawi, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda MP, said, “Malawi’s health system has been straining under the impacts of climate change on health. We need stronger and better coordinated political action, and improved finance. Malawi endorses the Declaration on climate and health, and calls on others to join in. Countries need to speak with one voice on this important issue.”
Speaking on behalf of Fiji Minister for Health and Medical Services for Fiji, Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, said, “Fiji, like all SIDS, are witnessing the devastation of climate change every day in our homes, our communities, and our health. Words and good ideas cannot stop them, only decisive actions will. We are building resilience into our infrastructure, health system and way of life. And we demand for comprehensive effort to reduce environmental pollutants that are causing the global temperatures to rise, tide levels at our shorelines to increase, and cyclones in our region more ferocious. Waiting is not an option; we must act now!”.
The World Health Summit, running from 15-17 October, is being held under the theme of “A Defining Year for Global Health Action” and brings together stakeholders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society to set the global health agenda.
Another astounding fact is that while there are 694 glacial lakes in Sikkim, the number of flood forecasting stations there, are only eight…writes Animesh Singh
Even as Sikkim was devastated by flooding of a glacial lake owing to a cloudburst earlier this month leading to several casualties, the Centre in a recent report accepted that it has failed to provide any data related to avalanches, landslides and even cloudbursts to the state in the last 10 years. In fact not even any advisory was issued to the Himalayan states (including Sikkim), in anticipation of floods.
Another astounding fact is that while there are 694 glacial lakes in Sikkim, the number of flood forecasting stations there, are only eight.
Arunachal Pradesh has 1,602 glacial lakes while it has only three flood forecasting stations. Similarly, Himachal Pradesh has only one station to monitor 513 glacial lakes, while Uttarakhand has six flood forecasting stations to monitor 347 lakes.
This was informed by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry to a Lok Sabha Parliamentary panel on water resources in a report titled “Glacier management in the country – Monitoring of glaciers and lakes including glacial lake outbursts leading to flash floods in the Himalayan region”.
Incidentally, the report was presented in Parliament in March this year during the budget session.
“When asked whether any data has been made available to state governments or local authorities in respect of avalanches, cloudbursts and landslides in Himalayan region during the last decade and advisories, if any, issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in anticipation of the floods, the department replied in negative,” the report stated.
To a query on whether India has any data sharing policy with the Himalayan-Karakoram countries so that large-scale modelling of future glacier and runoff evolution can be done with improved accuracy, the ministry informed the committee that “so far as data sharing policy with the Himalayan-Karakoram countries is concerned, no specific information is available in respect of data sharing policy so that large-scale modelling of future glacier and runoff evolution can be done with improved accuracy”.
When asked to furnish details of those glacial lakes which are increasing not only in numbers but also in size in the Himalayan region because of retreating glaciers, the ministry in its written submission stated that no such study on temporal changes in glacial lake number and their extent has been carried out by ISRO and Geological Survey of India (GSI).
On October 4, heavy rains caused the glacial South Lhonak lake in Sikkim to breach its banks, causing a glacial lake outburst flood. The flood reached the Teesta III Dam at Chungthang at midnight, before its gates could be opened, destroying the dam in minutes. Several people died in the flash floods, while several hundreds are missing, even as rescue operations are on.
The group focuses on five main issues: mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement…reports Asian Lite News
India has formed an inter-ministerial group to develop a comprehensive stance on key topics for global climate negotiations, involving ministries like Environment, Power, and Economic Affairs.
The group focuses on five main issues: mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. These subjects are discussed in detail by five sub-groups, each composed of high-ranking officials.
Their aim is to establish a well-considered perspective for COP28 discussions. Mitigation pertains to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while adaptation involves adapting to climate change effects.
The Loss and Damage Fund, established at COP27, aims to financially aid countries severely impacted by climate change. At COP28, nations will work towards consensus on contributions and eligibility for this fund.
India emphasizes the importance of historical responsibility in determining eligibility criteria. On climate finance, India stresses clarity in the definition, speed of delivery, and a balance between mitigation and adaptation.
Article 2.1(c) aligns financial flows with climate action, but developing nations fear it could hinder emissions-producing development projects. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) will replace the previous $100 billion target and be based on developing countries’ needs.
Article 6 enables countries to collaborate on emission-reduction targets by transferring carbon credits.
Climate Change Study
Climate change could expose up to 2.2 billion people in India and the Indus Valley to many hours of heat that surpass human tolerance by the end of the century, a new research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) said on Tuesday.
Researchers modelled global temperature increases ranging between 1.5 and 4 degrees Celsius to identify areas of the planet where warming could lead to heat and humidity levels that exceed human limits.
Heat stress increases in magnitude and extent with every degree of global mean surface temperature increase, with monsoon dynamics likely to exacerbate heat conditions in South Asia and East China.
While impacts are concentrated in eastern Pakistan and the Indus River Valley in northern India in the 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius warming scenarios, they expand in the 2 and 4 degrees Celsius warmer world, with a substantial accumulation of annual hot hours in the highly populated cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Shanghai, Multan, Nanjing and Wuhan.
With increased global warming, the regions that will experience the first moist heat waves and subsequent substantial increases in accumulated hot hours per year are also the regions with the largest concentrations of the world’s population, specifically those in India and the Indus River Valley (population: 2.2 billion), eastern China (population: 1.0 billion), and sub-Saharan Africa (population: 0.8 billion).
If emissions continue in their current trajectory, middle-income and low-income countries will suffer the most. This also reflects the large populations in South and East Asia, which, in a world that is 4 degrees Celsius warmer than the preindustrial period, is projected to experience around 608 and 190 billion person-hours of threshold exceedance in humid conditions, respectively.
If global temperatures increase by one degree or more than current levels, each year billions of people will be exposed to heat and humidity so extreme they will be unable to naturally cool themselves, said the interdisciplinary research from the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, Purdue University College of Sciences and Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future.
Results indicated that warming of the planet beyond 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels will be increasingly devastating for human health across the planet. Humans can only withstand certain combinations of heat and humidity before their bodies begin to experience heat-related health problems, such as heat stroke or heart attack.
Due to the continuous rain in Thiruvananthapuram, the low-lying areas of the state’s southernmost district have been waterlogged….reports Asian Lite News
After heavy rainfall battered Kerala triggering waterlogging and floods in several areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued an orange alert in four districts of the state including Thiruvananthapuram.
Apart from the orange alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts for today, a Yellow alert has been issued for the remaining districts except Kannur and Kasaragod.
Due to the continuous rain in Thiruvananthapuram, the low-lying areas of the state’s southernmost district have been waterlogged.
Due to the rise of the water level in Karamana River, the water level of Vellayani Lake has increased. About 100 houses were waterlogged in the adjoining area and crops on hundreds of acres of land were submerged.
Thiruvananthapuram district collector Geromic George said that necessary instructions have been given for the aid of people living in rain-affected areas and relief activities are underway.
“Considering the emergency situation in the district, the district collector directed all the revenue officers to be in the office. The district collector instructed the tehsildars to give the necessary help to the rain-affected areas and coordinate the relief activities. The district collector informed that the taluk control rooms are fully equipped and working 24 hours and the public can contact the taluk control rooms in case of emergency,” George posted on the social media platform, Facebook. (ANI)
COP28 Presidency partners with Vatican, UN, and faith groups for inclusive climate dialogue….reports Asian Lite News
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-designate, met with His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, to discuss the crucial role of faith leaders in advancing the climate agenda at COP28.
COP28 Presidency has collaborated with the Vatican, the Muslim Council of Elders, and the United Nations Environment Programme to ensure inclusivity in the COP process by integrating faith organisations into climate discussions.
Inclusivity is a core pillar of the COP28 Presidency, and it aims to provide a platform where all voices are heard, including faith organisations, especially those focused on assisting vulnerable communities affected by loss and damage.
To further the role of faith communities in the COP process, the COP28 Presidency has designed a series of inter-faith initiatives in the run up to and during the conference.
One of the key initiatives will be a global summit for faith leaders, the Confluence of Conscience, which will take place on November 6-7 in Abu Dhabi.
It will unite hundreds of religious leaders, academics, and scientists to collectively address the findings of the Global Stocktake (GST) and sign a declaration to progress climate action at COP28.
The gathering will discuss the ethical responsibilities of faith leaders in addressing the climate crisis and will call for increased ambition at COP28 and beyond.
The summit will also involve an assessment of actions taken by religious leaders from Paris to COP28, focusing on specific areas to address the gaps highlighted in the COP28 Presidency’s Action Agenda, aiming to restore hope in the field of climate action.
Additionally, the COP28 Presidency will also co-host the Faith Pavilion at COP28, marking the first-ever pavilion of its kind at a COP event.
The Faith Pavilion will host panels with religious leaders, scientists, and political leaders, as well as encourage intergenerational dialogue involving young faith leaders and indigenous representatives.
COP28 presents an opportunity to fast-track the energy transition by building the energy system of the future, while rapidly decarbonizing the energy system of today to keep 1.5°C within reach. It also needs to be just, equitable and responsible that ensures universal energy access. The world must triple its renewable energy capacity and achieve near-zero methane emissions by 2030.
During their meeting in Rome, Dr. Al Jaber and Pope Francis discussed the importance of the Global Stocktake and the need for a detailed action plan to provide a robust and comprehensive response to the findings within the key pillars of the Paris Agreement.
“I have been calling for unity in this year of uncertainty and urgency due to the Global Stocktake report. I want, and the world needs, everyone to play their part in addressing the current situation we live in. I believe that we can combine our efforts and take action to emphasize to the world the last opportunity we have at COP28 to raise ambition, course correct, and restore the hope that current and future generations need to see,” he said.
The leaders also discussed aligning the Vatican’s encyclical letter, Laudate Deum, with the COP28 Interfaith Declaration, set to be signed after the global faith leaders’ summit.
Dr. Al Jaber expressed gratitude to the Vatican for its climate action advocacy and extended an invitation to Pope Francis to join the World Climate Action Summit at COP28.
“I want to thank the Vatican, under your Papacy, for its work in advocating for a higher ambition on climate action and social justice. Your update of the 2015 ‘Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home’ to bring it up to date is truly inspiring. We aim to ensure that COP28 amplifies the call to action from religious leaders, and we plan to do this through the global faith leaders’ summit in Abu Dhabi,” Dr. Al Jaber said.
“Without a doubt, your intervention and advocacy for action will inspire millions and will help us raise the ambition at COP28 that we urgently need to course correct. Also, I would like to ask you to send a representative of the Vatican to the global faith leaders’ summit in Abu Dhabi.”
The diverse faith and interfaith activities, along with religious organisations, will support the call for a fair and ambitious climate agreement at COP28 and support those working towards it.
COP28 Presidency is working to find real world solutions that close the gaps to 2030 and responding to the first Global Stocktake.
To achieve this, the Presidency’s Action Agenda focuses on an ambitious mitigation work program, finalizing the global goal on adaptation, establishing a fund for loss and damage, and reaching an equitable approach to means of implementation.
The four key areas of the Presidency are: fast tracking a just, orderly, and well-managed energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods, and underscoring everything with full inclusivity.
The COP28 Presidency has called on contributing countries to deliver the $100 billion pledge this year. Countries are also urged to double adaptation finance by 2025 and replenish the Green Climate Fund.
The BOM estimated an 80 per cent chance of fewer than average tropical cyclones this season…reports Asian Lite News
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) on Monday said the country is expected to face a peak season of severe weather, including heatwaves and tropical cyclones.
In its latest 2023-24 Severe Weather Long-Range Forcast, the BOM stressed that while severe weather can occur at any time of the year, the October to April period is the peak time for heatwaves, bushfires, tropical cyclones, thunderstorms and floods, reports Xinhua news agency.
In the months ahead, Australia is likely to confront a high chance of “unusually high” temperatures until at least February 2024, also with an increased risk of bushfires in much of eastern and southern Australia.
“There is always a risk of dangerous and destructive fires in Australia at this time of year. Grass growth due to above-average rainfall in the past two to three years is contributing to an increased fire risk,” said the bureau’s Senior Meteorologist Sarah Scully.
On September 19, the weather bureau declared an El Nino event ongoing in the Pacific Ocean, which can typically shift rainfall away from Australia. Meanwhile, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole event is also underway, bringing warmer- and drier-than-average conditions in early spring and summer.
The BOM estimated an 80 per cent chance of fewer than average tropical cyclones this season.
“On average, the first tropical cyclone crosses the Australian coast in late December. This can be later in El Nino years, possibly early to mid-January,” said Scully.
Besides, the meteorologist noted that severe thunderstorms are more common during the warmer months, particularly in northern New South Wales, southern Queensland, inland Western Australia and across the tropical north.
“Thunderstorm asthma can be triggered by thunderstorms after high grass growth in southern Australia from October to December when pollen levels are highest,” she added.
Despite the long-range forecast for warmer and drier conditions, the BOM warned that there is still a risk of riverine and flash flooding where storms bring heavy rainfall.
