At least a billion of the world's people already feel an “extreme impact” from climate change, new polling reveals.
Heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, droughts and poor air and water quality are fuelling concern around the world about the consequences of global warming.
A survey of 17 countries for the Global Methane Hub, which lobbies for emissions cuts, found a near-unanimous consensus that the climate is changing.
The findings covering more than four billion people – about half the world's population – were described as a show of support for green action.
People worried about the climate “have an appetite for meaningful change”, including cuts in methane emissions, said Natalie Lupiani of pollster Benenson Strategy Group.
“In my view, the data is a strong indication that people support their governments taking action to protect them against the rising global temperature,” she said.
Across the countries polled, 24 per cent said climate change had an “extreme impact” on their life – amounting to more than a billion people.
No country feels it more than Brazil, where 47 per cent report an “extreme impact” and heatwaves are viewed as the top concern.
More than a third (36 per cent) of those polled in India – the survey reached those with internet access – saw things as equally dire.
Even in Italy, concern over air quality and heatwaves means 22 per cent feel an extreme impact – on a par with Senegal.
Fewer people feel the effects are extreme in temperate countries such as Britain (9 per cent) and Germany (6 per cent).
Extreme weather a reality
Scientists warn that climate will become “more and more dangerous” with every further step of global warming, especially if it gets more than 1.5°C hotter than the pre-1900 norm.
Last year was the hottest on record at 1.45°C above the baseline, with temperatures in January and February 2024 also hitting new highs.
Extreme weather and wildfires have “ceased to be just part of future projections” and “for far too many of us, were a present reality” in 2023, said Jim Skea, the head of the UN's top science panel, during talks last week.
While slowing global warming to 1.5°C remains “possible within the laws of chemistry and physics”, that path could soon close “if we do not act now”, he said.
Even higher numbers feel climate change is already having some effect.
A majority (58 per cent) in India feel it is having at least a “strong impact”, along with 43 per cent in Italy and 36 per cent in the United States.
And 96 per cent of people across the countries surveyed agree the climate is changing, with 78 per cent attributing it to human activity.
Although there is less consensus on that point in the US, 60 per cent of Americans take the mainstream scientific view.
Almost 200 countries united behind a deal at the Cop28 talks in the UAE last year to revitalise efforts towards the 1.5°C target.
The summit produced its first ever pledge to “transition away” from fossil fuels as well as commitments to expand clean power sources.
Pollsters also asked about methane, a greenhouse gas that is highly potent at warming the planet, although unlike CO2 it does not linger for hundreds of years in the atmosphere.
They found that knowledge is mixed, with many people unaware of methane's impact on the climate.
Some of the countries who feel extreme effects from climate change, such as Brazil and India, were among the strongest supporters of methane cuts.
As of Cop28 more than 150 countries are part of a pledge to cut methane emissions by at least 30 per cent this decade. It is mainly produced from agriculture, landfill and oil wells.
The%20specs
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Milkman by Anna Burns
Ordinary People by Diana Evans
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Circe by Madeline Miller
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The Energy Research Centre
Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
