Biodiversity is the world’s range of natural resources that safeguards humanity’s prosperity, making it the most fundamental public good.
Today, natural resources are disappearing at rates unprecedented in human history, with grave impacts on people around the world. A recent UN report found that around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, more than ever before in human history.
Unsustainable human activities are accelerating the destruction of healthy ecosystems, triggering global climate change. The close link between biodiversity and climate change is undeniable: climate change is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss, while destruction of the oceans and lands that serve as vital carbon sinks further accelerates the pace of climate change and the planet’s vulnerability to it.
Although detrimental to all humanity, biodiversity loss impacts poor and indigenous communities most severely, as they live and depend on resilient ecosystems. Seventy per cent of the world’s poor live in rural areas and depend directly on biodiversity for their survival and well-being. Biodiversity loss undermines their food security, nutrition and health, and drives extreme poverty. A recent report from the World Bank found that Low-Income Countries could lose 10 per cent of their GDP annually by 2030 if ecosystems continue to collapse. Biodiversity loss is therefore not only an environmental issue, but also a developmental, ethical and economic issue.
Thriving ecosystems are essential to not only protect biodiversity, but to manage climate risks, reduce socio-environmental conflicts and provide income and wealth for local communities
The conservation of biodiversity is one of the most potent levers to achieve all 17 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The biodiversity-focused SDGs include 14 (life below water) and 15 (life on land). A recent UN study found, however, that these two SDGs are multipliers of benefits across all the goals, including those related to poverty, hunger, health, water and climate. That is because thriving ecosystems are essential to not only protect biodiversity, but to manage climate risks, reduce socio-environmental conflicts and provide income and wealth for local communities.
The conservation of biodiversity is thus a precondition for sustainable development. It is urgent that we act to protect nature and restore ecosystems. We must consider that in order to achieve a viable future for all living organisms, we must build together, for the benefit of people and the planet.
Partnership and collaboration across national governments, local communities, multilateral organisations, and international agencies is key to ensuring the sustainable use of biodiversity in our future developments.
It is clear that humans must stop deforestation, overfishing, polluting air and rivers and other unsustainable activities. But to help governments, companies and individuals transform these practices, we must mobilise resources and implement broad-based action.
The Beyond2020 initiative, launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in partnership with select leading organisations, deploys community-appropriate technology and sustainable solutions to protect and preserve natural resources, while significantly improving people’s quality of life.
Beyond2020 brings together private companies, public authorities and environmental organisations, creating an international movement that protects, enhances and restores biodiversity through the deployment of innovative solutions that enable vulnerable communities to use energy, land and water sustainably.
Through Beyond2020, sustainable innovations developed by a range of past Zayed Sustainability Prize winners and finalists have been implemented around the world. These solutions – which include solar powered streetlights, mobile clinics, aquaponics systems – when combined with educational resources and deep community engagement, have increased communities’ ability to protect and enhance ecosystems while simultaneously relieving hardships and supporting expanded economic development.
Beyond2020 facilitates collaborative efforts aimed at safeguarding biodiversity, preserving sustainable communities, and reversing the climate crisis. It leverages strong partnerships with like-minded organisations, including BNP Paribas, a French-based international banking group that has, through the BNP Paribas Foundation, invested over €18 million into research aimed at mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss.
Taking action, together, to deploy solutions that advance global progress towards the SDGs, and generate a positive impact on our lives and our environment, are the guiding principles of the Beyond2020 initiative. We will continue to expand the reach and accessibility of the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s past winners’ and finalists’ innovative climate solutions to uplift communities and ecosystems around the world.
Isabelle Giordano is head of group philanthropy and general delegate of the BNP Paribas Foundation. Dr Lamya Fawwaz is director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
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
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
- But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
- Or try to keep the word count down
- Be wary of other embeds lengthy fact boxes could crash into
- That's about it
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
more from Janine di Giovanni
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 1
Mata 11'
Chelsea 1
Alonso 43'
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:
- Former first lady Hillary Clinton
- Former US president Barack Obama
- Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
- Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
- California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
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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
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mobile phone packages comparison
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)