A deadly storm approaches a low-lying coast – exposing vulnerable communities in its path to devastation. But a simple text message pinged on to their phones helps them escape to higher ground. It sounds simple, but early warning systems save lives, yet half the countries in the world are still not covered.
The issue took centre stage at Cop29 in Azerbaijan on Wednesday for an event titled “Delivering early warnings for all and addressing extreme heat”. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the event the world was in the “home stretch of a brutal year” as he urged countries at the talks to deliver funds to help the most vulnerable tackle extreme weather events.
"In this era of climate catastrophe, early-warning systems and protection from extreme heat are not luxuries," said Mr Guterres. "They are necessities. And sound investments."
An early-warning system in particular can be an effective and cost-efficient tool. According to the UN, just 24 hours' notice of an impending hazardous event can reduce damage by 30 per cent, while investing just US$800 million in these types of systems in developing countries can prevent losses of $3 to $16 billion per year.
They can be developed using weather stations, radars, sensors and marine buoys to build a data-driven system to help people on the front lines. A system in the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific, for example, can now help tell when a “king tide” is coming and allow local authorities to build sand barriers before the waters encroach.
“The Marshall Islands relies on early-warning systems to respond to climate disasters which unfortunately are already upon us,” Yetta Aliven, information management officer at the Marshall Islands National Disaster Management Office, told The National. “We are building effective emergency communications systems that can get the word out to the most isolated parts of the country."
Ms Aliven said they also needed systems to protect vital coral reefs that are at risk, but that more assistance was needed. “We welcome the support we have received but we need more. That is why we support the UN Secretary General’s call for more funding to roll out these systems.”
The UN is leading the charge with its Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to ensure every person on Earth is covered by such systems by 2027. But many remain without one. For example, small, developing island states are responsible for less than one per cent of warming emissions that are the primary driver of climate change, yet only a third have them.
“Too often, the basic data to create these systems is unavailable,” said Mr Guterres. “On average, least-developed countries and small island developing states have less than 10 per cent of the data they need for effective alert systems.”
Mr Guterres also told the summit that small island developing states had a right to be angry with rich nations. "You have every right to be angry. I am too," he said. "You are on the sharp end of a colossal injustice."
Warning systems, meanwhile, could also be used for long-term situations such as drought so authorities and relief agencies get supplies of food and financial support to communities, so they don’t lose their incomes and livelihoods.
“So after the community survives these storms, they have access to seeds or crops or to whatever's required to get them going again,” Andrew Harper, special adviser on climate action at the UNHCR, told The National. “Early warning allows communities to bounce back.”
He said that despite what is often said in the West about seeing huge numbers of people leave areas being affected by climate change, the “vast majority” want to stay. At Cop29, countries are trying to agree on new flows of finance to help those most in need deal with climate change. Three days into the summit, talks remain complex. Mr Harper highlighted a reluctance from people to "invest in the future" or in something "that is not profit-making".
“We have to understand that we're all going to have to live in a future, which is going to become increasingly unpredictable,” he said. “So these investments increase our ability to ... get through this unpredictability.”
Not only are vulnerable countries without these systems, some of the world’s most vulnerable communities are often the last to be thought of when these systems are deployed. Refugees often live in areas prone to extreme weather events, don’t have access to information, are scared and are resistant to leave because they often don’t trust people.
Huge refugee camps in Bangladesh, for example, lie in the path of storms coming in from the cyclone-prone Bay of Bengal with hundreds of thousands of people in shelters crowded together on muddy hills that are liable to collapse. Mr Harper said they had been working with Bangladesh to ensure its successful warning systems were being made available to refugees.
“Early-warning systems are non-negotiable now,” he said. “We now need to invest in what that data and science is telling us. If we don't, there will be consequences. If we do, there'll be lives saved.”
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
Contracted list
Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.
FULL%20FIGHT%20CARD
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
