The UN’s refugee agency is preparing for the worst as climate change threatens to drive millions of people out of their homes, a leading official said.
Andrew Harper, UNHCR’s special adviser on climate action, said he expected a significant rise in the number of people displaced by global warming.
Speaking to the Berlin Climate and Security Conference on Monday, he said the agency was planning for worst-case scenarios as time ticks down to meet global climate targets.
A report last month said the effect of climate change would be far worse if the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C is breached.
“At the moment, the scenarios which are looking towards a 1.5°C to warming are becoming increasingly impractical,” Mr Harper said.
“We have got an obligation and a responsibility not only to be thinking positively but also to be preparing for the worst.
“We’ve also got a responsibility, even though we are a humanitarian agency, not just to react or wait for people to cross the border in order to provide protection.”
Many countries that are highly vulnerable to climate change are developing nations that are poorly equipped to manage the effects.
The UN estimates that weather emergencies have forced more than 20 million people out of their homes every year since 2010.
Developing countries are demanding that November’s Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow be used to steer more money their way.
A target of $100 billion in annual support to the global south has not been met, the UN’s climate agency said.
Mr Harper said the majority of the world’s refugees lived in countries that were poorly prepared for climate change.
“If we expect that climate change is going to disrupt food security, access to water, challenge governance and possibly turn fragile states into failed states, then yes, we will expect a significant increase in the numbers of people who are being made vulnerable,” he said.
“That could lead to conflict and that will lead to people moving.”
A German expert panel said in May that fighting climate change was essential to preventing future refugee crises in Europe.
It said countries should consider setting up “climate passports” to allow refugees from high-risk countries to settle elsewhere.
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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."
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
