Tag: CLIMATE

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Arab News Dubai UAE News

UAE to convene world leaders to take climate action

UAE aims to take the agenda of global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net-zero…reports Asian Lite News

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2022 taking place from January 15-19 will convene global leaders, including heads of state, policy makers, and international business leaders, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to take the agenda global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net zero.

Hosted by Masdar, ADSW 2022 will be the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, and will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023.

Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said: “The next few years will be pivotal as we work together across policy, business and industry to accelerate progressive climate action that will deliver economic opportunities and prosperity for current and future generations.

Dubai

“The UAE has a long-term vision that will build on our longstanding track record in innovating climate solutions across the entire energy spectrum. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues to offer an ideal platform for promoting, deploying and taking these climate solutions to scale around the world. Aligned with the UAE’s ‘Principles of the 50’, it provide opportunities for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, investment and advancing new technological innovations that will take the global sustainability agenda forward and turn plans into action.”

In addition to heads of state, leaders confirmed to participant at ADSW included Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for all and Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All SEforAll; John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Designate COP27; Alok Sharma, COP26 President; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Francesco La Camera, Director-General of International Renewable Energy Agency; Ferid Belhaj, Vice-President of the World Bank Group; and Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute.

Commenting ahead of her appearance at the ADSW, Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, said: “To deliver a sustainable future for our planet, the collective action of all stakeholders is needed. Even as we tackle the pandemic, we must not lose sight of other equally pressing global challenges.

“Governments, businesses, researchers, communities and individuals all have a role in addressing the challenges of climate change.”

The hosting of ADSW is a key component in the UAE’s positioning as a regional and global leader in sustainability and climate action.

ALSO READ: Dubai records 2021 best year for commodities

Last October, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the first such initiative in the MENA region.

The UAE was also the first Arab country to set voluntary clean energy targets, and the first Gulf state to sign the Paris Agreement.

Further demonstrating the UAE’s leading role in driving action on climate change, at home, in the region, and throughout the world, the ADSW Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday January 17 to coincide with Global Goals Week.

All other ADSW events will take place in Abu Dhabi or virtually.

Since its inception, ADSW has reflected the changing global sustainability landscape, broadening its scope from renewable energy and water, to include new global trends and topics like artificial intelligence, space and mobility.

The number of ADSW events has also expanded over time, with the additions of the IRENA Assembly in 2010, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy’ (WiSER) Forum in 2015, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in 2017, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 2019, and the virtual ADSW Summit in 2021.

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-Top News Dubai UAE News

UAE to experience rainfall, drop in temperatures

UAE flag

There will be moderate to fresh winds which will be strong at times causing blowing dust and sand over exposed areas…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE is under influence of an extension of an upper air low pressure from the West, accompanied with extension of low pressure from the South West, associated with Southeasterly humid and warm winds with clouds continuing from the west towards the country, according to the National Center of Meteorology.

Dubai

Weather from Thursday to Saturday will be partly cloudy to cloudy with a chance of some convective clouds formation over some areas, especially the northern, eastern and coastal areas, accompanied by rain of different intensity.

From Sunday to Tuesday the upper low pressure deepening, and the weather will be cloudy over most areas of the country, with convective clouds, associated with rain of different intensity at intervals and in different areas with lightning and thunder at times, with a probability of hail on some areas, especially the northern and eastern areas.

ALSO READ: UAE-driven initiative improves healthcare for rural Rwandans

There will be moderate to fresh winds which will be strong at times causing blowing dust and sand over exposed areas.

Sea will be moderate, becoming rough at times in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea especially with clouds.

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Environment Environment and WIldlife Lite Blogs

2021: A year of climate breakdown

Yet in addition to the financial cost, these extreme weather events have caused severe human suffering from food insecurity, drought and extreme weather events, causing mass displacements and loss of life…reports Asian Lite News.

A new report by Christian Aid — Counting the cost 2021: A year of climate breakdown — on Monday identified 15 of the most destructive climate disasters of the year.

They include some of the disasters hit rapidly, like Cyclone Yaas, which struck India and Bangladesh in May and caused losses valued at $3 billion in just a few days.

Ten of those events cost $1.5 billion or more. Most of these estimates are based only on insured losses, meaning the true financial costs are likely to be even higher.

Among them is Hurricane Ida, which struck the US in August, costing $65 billion and killing 95 people. July floods in Europe cost $43 billion and killed 240, while floods in China’s Henan province caused $17.5 billion of destruction, killed 320 and displaced over a million.

While the report focuses on financial costs, which are usually higher in richer countries because they have higher property values and can afford insurance, some of the most devastating extreme weather events in 2021 hit poorer nations, which have contributed little to causing climate change.

Yet in addition to the financial cost, these extreme weather events have caused severe human suffering from food insecurity, drought and extreme weather events, causing mass displacements and loss of life.

South Sudan has experienced terrible floods which has seen more than 850,000 people forced to flee their homes, many of whom were already internally displaced, while the East Africa continues to be ravaged with drought, highlighting the injustice of the climate crisis.

Other events took months to unfold, like the Parana river drought in Latin America, which has seen the river, a vital part of the region’s economy, at its lowest level in 77 years and impacted lives and livelihoods in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

Four of the 10 most costly events took place in Asia, with floods and typhoons costing a combined $24 billion. But the impact of extreme weather was felt all over the world.

Australia suffered floods in March which displaced 18,000 people and saw damage worth $2.1 billion while floods in Canada’s British Colombia led to $7.5 billion in damage and 15,000 people having to flee their homes.

Insurance and financial loss data on the recent tornadoes in the US is incomplete, so is not included in this report but may be included in next year’s study.

Worryingly such climate devastation is set to continue without action to cut emissions. Insurer Aon warns that 2021 is expected to be the sixth time global natural catastrophes have crossed the $100 billion insured loss threshold. All six have happened since 2011 and 2021 will be the fourth in five years.

The report also highlights slow-developing crises such as the drought in the Chad Basin that has seen Lake Chad shrink by 90 per cent since the 1970s and threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions of the world’s poorest who live in the region.

These extreme events highlight the need for concrete climate action. The Paris Agreement, set the goal of keeping temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, yet the outcomes from COP26 in Glasgow do not currently leave the world on track to meet this goal which is why much more urgent action is required.

ALSO READ-Warmer air, water worsen extreme weather in US

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-Top News Australia Environment

Australian East Coast Prepares For Heat Wave

The dryer, hotter weather combined with strong winds prompted the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to issue a fire warning for NSW on Wednesday…reports Asian Lite News.

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has braced itself for its first summer-like weather of the season, as temperatures were forecast on Wednesday to soar into the 40s in some parts of the state.

Due to a La Nina weather event, Australia’s east coast has thus far experienced an atypical summer with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flooding throughout many inland areas, Xinhua news agency reported.

The dryer, hotter weather combined with strong winds prompted the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to issue a fire warning for NSW on Wednesday.

BoM forecaster David Wilkie said the temperature increase would likely continue before reaching a max over the weekend.

“When this next front moves through on Saturday, it’s going to drag the heat across the entire state… There’s also the risk that we could see some elevated fire dangers,” Wilkie said on Wednesday.

The BoM also issued a warning of severe thunderstorms before the weekend in the state’s southeast.

On Saturday, parts of inland NSW are expected to reach up to 45 degrees Celsius, while Sydney and coastal areas are expected to see temperatures hovering in the low 30s.

ALSO READ-NW, Central, South-Central India country’s new heatwave hotspots

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-Top News World News

India votes against UN resolution to securitise climate action

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations T S Tirumurti voices concern on the manner in which this issue was brought before the Security Council, reports Asian Lite News

India voted against a UN Security Council draft resolution that linked climate change with global security challenges as it argued that the move attempts to undermine the hard-won consensus reached at the recently concluded Glasgow Summit.

“India is second to none when it comes to climate action and climate justice, but the Security Council is not a place to discuss either issue. In fact, the attempt to do so appears to be motivated by a desire to evade responsibility in the appropriate forum and divert the world’s attention from an unwillingness to deliver where it counts, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations T S Tirumurti said.

“Today’s UNSC Resolution attempts to undermine the hard-won consensus which we reached in Glasgow. This resolution would only sow the seeds of discord among the larger UN membership, he told members of the UN Security Council explaining the country’s decision to vote against a draft resolution in this powerful 15-membered body of the United Nations.

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries accepted a new climate agreement after the COP26 summit in Glasgow last month, which recognises India’s intervention for the world to “phase down” rather than “phase out” fossil fuels.

Moved jointly by Niger and Ireland, the draft resolution called on UN Secretary General Antonion Guterres to “integrate climate-related security risk as a central component into comprehensive conflict-prevention strategies.”

The resolution was vetoed by Russia, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Voting against the resolution, Tirumurti said there should be no confusion about India’s determination to combat climate change.

“We will always support real climate action and serious climate justice. We will always speak up for the interests of the developing world, including Africa and the Sahel region. And we will do so at the right place the UNFCCC, he said.

The resolution, he asserted, sends a wrong message to the developing countries that instead of addressing their concerns and holding developed countries responsible for meeting their commitments under the UNFCCC, we are willing to be divided and side-tracked under the guise of security. This resolution is a step backward from our collective resolve to combat climate change.

It seeks to hand over that responsibility to a body which neither works through consensus nor is reflective of the interests of the developing countries, he added.

“India had no option but to vote against the resolution, he said.

Climate change decisions are sought to be taken out of the wider international community represented in the UNFCCC and given instead to the Security Council, he said.

“Ironically, many of the UNSC members are the main contributors of climate change due to historical emissions. If the Security Council indeed takes over the responsibility on this issue, a few states will then have a free-hand in deciding on all climate-related issues. This is clearly neither desirable nor acceptable, the senior Indian diplomat said.

“We recognise the fact that climate change has impacted the lives of people and may have even exacerbated conflicts in Sahel and other parts of Africa. India remains committed to peace, security and development in Africa and the Sahel region, both bilaterally and in the UN, he said.

“Many projects in those geographies testify to our sincerity. But viewing conflicts through the prism of climate change is misleading. Over-simplification of causes of conflict will not help in resolving them; worse, it can be misleading. This is the reason India supported a draft focusing exclusively on the Sahel. But this was not considered by the sponsors for reasons best known to them, he said.

He also asserted that developed countries must provide climate finance of USD 1 trillion at the earliest, saying it is necessary that climate finance be tracked with the same diligence as climate mitigation.

“To move forward decisively, affordable access to climate finance is critical. Developed countries must provide climate finance of USD 1 trillion at the earliest,” he said.

It is necessary that climate finance be tracked with the same diligence as climate mitigation and the reality, he said, adding that the developed countries have fallen well short of their promise.

“This is particularly important to recognise because today’s attempt to link climate with security really seeks to obfuscate lack of progress on critical issues under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) process, he said.

The Indian envoy also voiced concern on the manner in which this issue was brought before the Security Council.

“Over the last nearly three decades all member states have negotiated collectively and with consensus an elaborate and equitable architecture to combat every aspect of climate change; while arriving at a far reaching consensual decision we have tried to accommodate each other’s interests and specific national circumstances. This comprehensive process has in fact been done under the UN-led UNFCCC with participation of all member states, he said.

The UNFCCC has been, in turn, informed by members’ priorities. It addresses both the immediate needs of the developing and the commitments of the developed. It seeks a balance between mitigation, adaptation, financing, technology transfer capacity building, etc. In effect, it takes a holistic view of combating climate change which is equitable and fair, he said.

“We, therefore, need to ask ourselves: what is it that we can collectively do under this draft resolution which we cannot achieve under the UNFCCC process? Why is it that one needs a UN Security Council resolution to take action on climate change when we have commitments made under the UNFCCC towards concrete climate action? he said.

He added that the honest answer is that there is no real requirement for this resolution except for the purpose of bringing climate change under the ambit of the Security Council and the reason for that is now decisions can be taken without the involvement of most developing countries and without recognising consensus.

“And all this can be done in the name of preserving international peace and security, he said.

ALSO READ-Saved millions of refugees during 1971 genocide, says India at UNSC

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India News News World

Indian scientists to dig deep ice to know past climate at Antarctica

Indian scientists to dig deep ice to know past climate at Antarctica

It is for the first time that Indian scientists would drill up to 500 metres and pull put ice cores that are repositories of information of the past climate events for long years duration, reports Nivedita Khandekar

Indian scientists from the 41st expedition to Antarctica have embarked upon a multi-year study of the movement of deep ice sheets near the coast to understand the past climate, which in turn, will help understand how it will change in decades to come.

It is for the first time that Indian scientists would drill up to 500 metres and pull put ice cores (cylindrical ice bars) that are repositories of information of the past climate events for long years duration.

Antarctica

“This helps us study the past climate of up to 10,000 years through ice cores that have trapped CO2 from the atmosphere from past.

Called SIWHA or ‘Sea Ice and Westerly winds during the Holocene in coastal Antarctica,’ it is a joint Indo-UK-Norway study with India’s National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) as collaborators.

“The 41st expedition is already at Antarctica. A team is carrying out geo-physical survey to assess correct places to drill. By next year, they will be ready with data that can tell us where exactly to drill. Drilling will start in 2022-23 season,” said NCPOR, Director, Group Director (Polar Science), Dr Thamban Meloth.

“The drilling will be done nearer to the coast with a specific reason to understand how the southern ocean which takes so much of carbon dioxide, which changed in the past. It would have a meaning for us to understand how it will change in the coming decades,” Meloth added.

Collecting the ice cores from near the coast is important and much more challenging as it is much more warmer around Antarctica. “So we need to take it from the right place actually to activate it to understand the properties below the ice.”

A specialised equipment, ground penetrating radar, helps the team identify the ice layering and the bedrock, during the geophysical survey.

The NCPOR has been carrying out studies related to ice cores for few years now but it was limited to 100-150 metres. It is only now that digging will be done for the first time till 500 metres. The fragile ice cores are carefully stored and brought back to NCPOR maintaining minus 20 degrees temperature. To whichever depth digging is done, the cores are collected at every metre. (E.g. a dig of 150 metres will result in 150 ice cores).

For analysis of the cores, the cores are cut into half horizontally. One half is sent into archive. Ice cores are also cut into 5 cm thick slices, each of which reveals climate features from that particular time/age.

In general, the world’s oceans absorb 90 per cent of more heat that is released from burning fossil fuels and much of carbon dioxide. And of that, the southern ocean that surrounds Antarctica can be termed as primary storage house for both heat and CO2. So anything that changes on Antarctica can have an impact on global climate.

ALSO READ: US Senate panel to take up confirmation process for envoy to India

Hence, collecting the cores from near the coast is needed. But getting the cores is much more challenging as it is much more warmer around Antarctica. So we need to take it from the right place actually to activate it. So that we also understand the properties below the ice.

A specialised equipment called the ground penetrating radar which will tell us the ice layering and the bedrock, how they are placed. All that information we will get through the geophysical survey.

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India News Sri Lanka World

Toll from adverse weather conditions in SL reaches 25

Toll from adverse weather conditions in SL reaches 25

The death toll from the adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka has increased to 25, while over 200,000 people have been affected so far, the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said in its latest update…reports Asian Lite News

According to official figures, one person was reported missing and seven people were injured as heavy rains and strong winds lashed the island nation since last weekend, reports Xinhua news agency.

Twenty-three houses were fully destroyed, while 1,253 were partially damaged, the DMC said.

Toll from adverse weather conditions in SL reaches 25

The Meteorology Department earlier this week issued a “red alert” for several areas as further rains and winds were expected in the coming days.

A landslide warning was also issued for 10 districts including Colombo.

DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said there was an increase in water levels in several major rivers as well and a red notice was issued over the water levels rising in many reservoirs and rivers.

People who live in the irrigation areas and downstream areas were asked to be cautious.

ALSO READ: Extreme weather hits China amid Glasgow climate talks

The Meteorology Department said that more rains were expected in several areas of the country in the coming days and people were urged to be cautious as this could cause floods in low-lying areas.

The Sri Lanka Navy said it had deployed relief teams to flood-prone areas for search and rescue operations in the event of a weather-related disaster.

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-Top News World News

12 nations pledge $413 mn for climate resilience at COP26

”We need to keep building on this support to close the climate finance gap and meet the Paris Agreement’s goal to increase all countries’ resilience to the very serious challenges that climate change will bring.”…reports Vishal Gulati.

In a show of support for those most at risk from climate change, 12 donor governments on Tuesday pledged $413 million in new funding for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) during the COP26 climate summit.

The LDCF, hosted by the Global Environment Facility, is the only dedicated source of climate resilience funds for the 46 Least Developed Countries, which have contributed the least to carbon emissions and face some of the highest risks from the effects of climate change.

The pledges from Belgium, the Belgian region of Walloonia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US were announced in Glasgow, where signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) are discussing ways to close the climate finance gap and meet the commitments made in the Paris Agreement in 2015.

“I am delighted at the strong show of support to the Least Developed Countries Fund, which stands alone as a source of support to the world’s most vulnerable countries. The pledges made today will make an immediate difference in the places where climate change risks are most acute,” an official statement quoting GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodriguez said.

“We need to keep building on this support to close the climate finance gap and meet the Paris Agreement’s goal to increase all countries’ resilience to the very serious challenges that climate change will bring.”

“The LDCF has a special place in the hearts of Least Developed Countries, as it is the only climate change adaptation fund that is designed to meet our unique needs and priorities. We are 46 of the world’s most vulnerable countries, and the science indicates that our climate risk exposure will only increase,” said Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi, Chair of the LDC Group at the UN climate negotiations.

“Support from the LDCF enables us to take action and prepare for trouble ahead. We are pleased about the generous new contributions to the LDCF announced today and sincerely hope that additional donors will follow suit given how meaningful this source of support is to us.”

The LDCF is the only climate resilience fund that exclusively targets the Least Developed Countries. Since 2001, it has provided $1.7 billion for projects that have reduced the climate vulnerability of more than 50 million people and strengthened the climate resilient management of six million hectares of land.

The LDCF also supports countries’ planning processes to reduce their medium and long-term vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into relevant policies, programmes, and activities.

ALSO READ-Canada, US, UK announce climate resilience funding

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PAKISTAN UAE News

UAE, Pak sign agreement to boost efforts in climate, the environment at COP26

UAE, Pak sign agreement to boost efforts in climate, the environment at COP26

The UAE and Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the fields of climate change mitigation and adaptation and environmental protection in line with the national legislations of the two countries…reports Asian Lite News

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, and Malik Amin Aslam, Minister for Climate Change and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, signed the agreement on the sidelines of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

UAE, Pak sign agreement to boost efforts in climate, the environment at COP26

Focus areas include environment and climate change, renewable energy, climate smart agriculture, drought management, and environmental education and capacity building.

MARIAM ALMHEIRI, MINISTER OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: “In line with the forward-looking vision of its wise leadership, the UAE is keen to build bridges of cooperation with all countries in the face of global challenges, and views multilateral diplomacy as a strategic priority of its future agenda. The UAE and Pakistan enjoy long-standing collaboration across multiple sectors, such as education, health, energy, infrastructure development, food security, and the environment. The new MoU will help us tackle climate change together through boosting mitigation and adaptation capabilities and conserving environmental resources and biodiversity.”

Amin Aslam said, “We are pleased to take our already strong bilateral ties with the UAE to new heights. Through the agreement, we hope to drive joint efforts in safeguarding terrestrial and marine environments and fight climate change through upscaling mitigation and adaptation measures.

“The MoU will enable us to capitalise on successful experiences and models in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy solutions, and scientific research to build a better future for the current and next generations,” he added.

The two countries agreed to jointly launch new and expand existing ecosystem restoration initiatives in a way that promotes the objectives of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

In addition, they will facilitate the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and renewable energy solutions, develop drought management plans, promote ecotourism and desert tourism, run training programmes for environmental and climate specialists, and roll out marine ecosystem conservation and blue carbon initiatives.

ALSO READ: President of Cyprus received UAE Foreign Minister

The UAE and Pakistan will also initiate exchange of information on climate change between their educational institutions, support the implementation of innovative ideas and projects stemming from academia, and conduct joint environmental research.

To achieve progress in these areas, the two nations will share relevant knowledge, experience, and publications, exchange visits between specialists to explore technical aspects of climate-smart practices and zero-emission technologies, and collaborate with regional and global environmental protection organisations to meet environmental agreements while serving mutual interests.

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News UK News

Little Amal reaches UN climate summit in search of her mother

Syrian refugee girl puppet to visit UN Climate Summit.(photo:@bevcraig Twitter)

Little Amal began her walk in Gaziantep, Turkey, on July 27. Her journey across Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France and the UK…reports Asian Lite News

Little Amal, a 3.5m puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee, will visit the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) from November 9 to 11.

This follows her completion of ‘The Walk’, a four-month travelling festival of art and hope over 8,000 km from the Syrian border to Manchester.

She has been invited to open the Gender Day high-level event in the COP26 Blue Zone alongside young Samoan climate activist, Brianna Fruean to represent young women and girls from the global South on this world stage.

She will also appear in the COP26 public Green Zone. In a collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland, the Citizens Theatre and Perth Theatre, Amal will meet young people and communities from across Glasgow. She will close ‘The New York Times Climate Hub’ on November 11.

Little Amal began her walk in Gaziantep, Turkey, on July 27. Her journey across Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France and the UK in search of her mother shone a light on the millions of displaced children who have made similar journeys out of acute danger in search of refuge.

As she ended her journey in Manchester on November 3, she was welcomed into a new community within which she can begin to build a new life.

Many of the young people Amal met on her journey have been forced to leave their homes due to violence, persecution, war or poverty. These circumstances are often caused or heightened by the climate crisis.

At COP26 she will meet changemakers from many of the countries she has visited, all of which are being directly affected by the climate crisis. She will stand alongside them as they embody and express the urgent need to take action.

Brianna Fruean, Pacific Climate Warrior, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming little Amal to Gender Day at the UN climate talks in Glasgow. On her journey, she has crossed areas already experiencing drought, extreme weather, heat and wildfires, and all the conflicts and crises that a heating world produces.”

Syrian refugee girl puppet to visit UN Climate Summit.(photo:@bevcraig Twitter)

“The difference is, she is a puppet and I am real. For a decade now, the storms in the Pacific have been getting more violent, the droughts have been longer and the floods deeper. Fishers cannot feed their families. Family-owned shops that are flattened in a cyclone are rebuilt, only to be destroyed by rising water.”

“But what Amal represents is that people like me, people like her, we refuse to be just victims to this crisis. We are not drowning, we are fighting and the world will hear us.”

Kim Bryan, 350.org, said: “Little Amal has been on a long journey to get to COP26. She has crossed areas already experiencing drought, extreme weather, heat and wildfires, and all the conflicts and crises that a heating world produces.”

“She has passed the weapons, walls and cages with which powerful countries are arming themselves to repel, injure and even kill future displaced people — a project they spend more on than helping prevent climate-linked displacement.”

“Migration is barely on the agenda at the UN Climate Summit, yet as climate impacts escalate, more people will be forced to leave their homes in search of safety and dignity. Yet current policies see corporate actors profiting from increasing public expenditure on these policies.”

ALSO READ: Iran calls for ending Syria sanctions, Yemen siege