June 24 to 29 has been able to deliver a number of important climate change and environment-related stories. Global heating is exposing bodies of mountaineers on the Everest, climate change litigation is on the rise and UAE unveils ‘Tasreef’ project to better tackle disasters.
Top 10 climate stories you must learn
1. Climate change and Formula One races
Given its sizeable carbon footprint, Formula One has been facing a lot of criticism lately from society and even the drivers. Climate change is altering the equation of the sport as 100% electric cars are likely the future. Hybrid engines have rapidly been gaining popularity.
2. Global trends in climate change litigation
The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science has published an elaborate report on climate change litigation, highlighting interesting insights into several legal cases.
3. Dubai leadership announces ‘Taareef’ project
The UAE received 1.5 years of rainfall in just 24 hours earlier this year, leading to unprecedented chaos. In an effort to better prepare for such climate-related disasters, Dubai has announced the ‘Tasreef’ project to enhance the city’s drainage system capacity by 700%.
4. Climate change intensifies Everest clean-up
The raging climate crisis is thinning ice on the slopes of Mount Everest, increasingly exposing the bodies of hundreds of mountaineers and tonnes of rubbish too. Since expeditions began last century, more than 300 people have lost their lives on the mountain.
5. Should climate change be blamed for dengue?
The term ‘seasonal diseases’ has lost its relevance as several diseases like dengue fever that once used to be confined to specific times of the year have become a year-round health crisis. Longer monsoon seasons, rising temperatures and altered mosquito behaviours are to blame.
6. Climate change making insurance too expensive
The basic logic behind insurance is that many people sign up but only a handful of them incur losses and therefore, receive compensation. But in recent years, climate insurance is on the rise as extreme disasters like floods, storms and bushfires have become most frequent.
7. Is climate disruption of anthropogenic origin?
Despite the country’s infamous history of many natural disasters, just 60% of Australians accept that ‘climate disruption’ is caused by humans, according to French polling company Elabe. It’s a fall of 6 percentage points from a previous survey and behind the global average of 73%.
8. People’s strong opinions on climate change
Conducted for the UN Development Programme and backed by the University of Oxford and GeoPoll, the Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 report highlights that 80% of the global community seek stronger climate action from their governments.
9. Dame Emma Thompson backs Just Stop Oil
Prominent actress Thompson recently supported the activities of Just Stop Oil as she took part in a London march to persuade politicians to restore nature. Just Stop Oil has been receiving substantial attention for disrupting major public events to lure attention to climate change.
10. Explore UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative
The UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative is a national drive to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of the century. But it is more than just a plan for climate neutrality. It offers major economic opportunities to develop the Gulf state into the most dynamic economy.
