A “vicious cycle” of climate change, pollution and wildfires is putting the world's health and food supplies at risk, weather forecasters have warned.
Intense heat and droughts in the first eight months of 2024 have increased the risk of fires and air pollution, the World Meteorological Organisation says.
Air pollution can slash crop yields as much as 15 per cent, according to scientists, by blocking sunlight and tampering with plants.
Wildfires in turn damage plants and crops, leading to more carbon emissions, said WMO scientist Lorenzo Labrador, completing the vicious circle.
The Middle East and North Africa have some of the world's highest levels of air pollution, which also affects human health, clean water and wildlife.
The WMO, whose president is UAE meteorologist Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, said in an annual bulletin that air quality is “strongly interconnected” to global warming.
“Climate change and air quality cannot be treated separately. They go hand-in-hand and must be tackled together,” said the WMO's secretary-general Ko Barrett. “Climate change means that we face this scenario with increasing frequency.”
A particular concern of scientists is particulate matter in the air, which can occur naturally from desert dust but also from human activity such as farming and industry.
World Health Organisation data analysed by The National reveals that cities in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which includes the Gulf and North Africa, have the highest average concentration.
However, last year saw lower than usual dust emissions over the deserts in the Arabian Peninsula and large parts of North Africa, the agency said.
By contrast, air pollution was unusually high over India, due to what experts said was an increase in industrial emissions.
Experts at the 187-nation organisation warn that India, Pakistan and parts of Africa are among “hotspots” where pollution can affect farming.
The particulate matter “can reduce crop productivity in areas where maximising yield is of crucial importance for feeding the population”, according to the WMO's bulletin.
“Agriculture is itself a major contributor to [pollution] through release of particles … by stubble burning, fertiliser and pesticide applications, tillage, harvesting, and manure storage and use.
“These particles can affect crops growing nearby or may be transported tens to thousands of kilometres in the atmosphere, affecting distant crops.”
Air pollution was down in China and Europe thanks to lower emissions from human activity, according to meteorologists.
Wildfire threat
Last year brought “hyper-active wildfire seasons” around the world which release a “noxious mix” of chemicals, WMO scientists say.
More than 250 forest fires were reported in Tunisia while at least 34 people were killed in Algeria as the danger spread across North Africa last summer.
Southern Lebanon has witnessed a spread of dangerous fires in 2024, compounded by the tense military situation and incendiary equipment.
Wildfires have many causes but “climate change also has an indirect role by increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and prolonging drought”, says the agency's report.
“These conditions heighten the risk and likelihood of forest fires spreading, which in turn has a major impact on air quality.”
The WMO suggests planting trees or shrubs to physically shelter crops from local air pollution. These would also store carbon dioxide, bringing climate benefits.
More research is needed to improve predictions of future crop yields by accounting for the twin effects of changing air quality and climate, it says.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
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In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Trippier bio
Date of birth September 19, 1990
Place of birth Bury, United Kingdom
Age 26
Height 1.74 metres
Nationality England
Position Right-back
Foot Right
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
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Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The specs
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Transmission: eight-speed auto
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Sterling 46', De Bruyne 65', Gundogan 70')
Aston Villa 0
Red card: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
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Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
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Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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The specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
