Heatwaves the next big climate change threat
Heatwaves will be the next big climate change threat to hit both rich and poor nations, according to the main findings of a recently released United Nations climate change report.
Report co-author Professor Debarati Guha said, “The next one that is going to hit us with an explosion is heatwaves.
“It’s going to be both in rich and poor countries, remember, human beings have a limit, a thermal resistance limit…it is also going to be a huge problem in the wealthier countries,” she said.
Another climate change report, the recently released annual World Meteorological Organization (WMO) State of the Climate report, found the 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years, with the top four in the past four years.
WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas said, “The science is clear. Without rapid cuts in CO2 and other greenhouse gases, climate change will have increasingly destructive and irreversible impacts on life on Earth. The window of opportunity for action is almost closed.”
“It is worth repeating once again that we are the first generation to fully understand climate change and the last generation to be able to do something about it."
Supporting the New Zealand Government's decision to move away from fossil fuel industries he said, "If we exploit all known fossil fuel resources, the temperature rise will be considerably higher.”
WMO deputy secretary-general Elena Manaenkova said, “These are more than just numbers. Every fraction of a degree of warming makes a difference to human health and access to food and fresh water”.
The extinction of many animals and plants also hinged on global warming, along with the survival of coral reefs and marine life.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet sent a letter to members telling them they have legal obligations under international human rights law to prevent climate change and try to mitigate its effects.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “ambitious climate action will not only slow temperature rise, it will be good for economies, for the environment and for public health."
"Climate solutions represent opportunity, and technology is on our side. They are wise investments in an equitable, prosperous and sustainable future. Green business truly is good business,” he said.
[source: news.un.org...
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
-
10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
-
21.5% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
-
68.1% Nah - not for me
Quote for the Day
Interviewer:
"Do you think that the British class system has finally ended?"
Upper-middle class Romance author, Dame Barbara Cartland:
"Well, of course it has; otherwise I would't be sitting here, talking to someone like you!"
Happy New Year [hopefully!]
Mike
Driven On The Akatarawa Rd Lately?
If so, its good to know you are still alive and reading this.
We have a function to go to over Christmas up that way and having heard a few hairy stories about the road, I went up there on Thursday to check it out. The road's ok, narrow and winding, but not much worse than a Wellington hill suburb. What was pretty scary was the behavior of other drivers. Three vehicles heading the other way at speed would have crashed into me if I hadn't been pulled off the road. I had pulled in to check the address when a truck came flying past, taking up all of the narrow road at speed. There is no way the driver would have been able to stop had they come around the corner immediately in front of me. The other two drivers came hurtling past as I had turned in to turn around and come back down the hill. They were also driving at speed and taking up most of the road. Coming back down I passed another car coming up and estimate that the safe speed to pass another car was about 30-35 kms.p.h. So, now we're thinking, do we go to the function or not.? Feels a bit like we're taking our life in our hands going up there. Drivers appear to be overconfident, and they are courting serious injury.
Loading…
