Scientists have warned that mild temperatures in parts of Europe's this winter are an extreme weather event caused by climate change — on a par with the heatwaves that hit the continent last summer.
They said that Europeans are ill-prepared for such extremes, which they predict will probably become the norm after 2050.
Temperatures close to 19°C were recorded in the Polish capital Warsaw on New Year's Day, while across the border in Belarus, they reached 16.4°C — 4.5°C higher than the previous record.
In Paris, temperatures were 5.5°C higher than average between December 19 and January 2.
Such out-of-season temperatures are boosted by the arrival of south-western subtropical winds. While these are not unusual, their intensity has increased with human-driven global warming.
Its main cause is the burning of fossil fuels since the start of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.
"Global warming reduces temperature differences between low and high latitudes, which can affect the atmospheric circulation in mid-latitudes. This could in particular lead to more high-pressure systems, keeping low-pressure systems off the European continent," said Gerhard Krinner, a climatologist and research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
“This may in turn increase the intensity and duration of heatwaves.”
This winter's records show a similar deviation from the norm as those last summer, when temperatures during heatwaves were about 7°C higher than usual, said Serge Zaka, an agriculture and climate specialist who also heads French climate non-governmental organisation InfoClimat.
Figures published by the French national meteorological service, Meteo France, show that on average, temperatures over the summer were 2.3°C higher than normal.
But because current temperatures are comfortable, they are less attention-grabbing than in July, he said.
“Mild temperatures in winter are deceiving, because they feel pleasant and reduce energy bills, so people are less worried than when they reached between 40°C and 44°C,” said Mr Zaka.
Weather last July marked a milestone in some European countries, with recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C in the UK for the first time. This caused severe infrastructure disruptions, as British railway tracks were not made to cope with such heat.
Meanwhile, countries such as France and Spain battled with wildfires.
The relatively long duration of recent mild weather may impact food security in Europe, warned Mr Zaka.
Instead of lasting a few days, higher temperatures have persisted for the past two weeks and are expected to continue for another two.
Their impact on fruit trees and vines, which are tricked into believing spring has arrived and are starting to flower, is potentially dangerous, because buds might be killed by a cold snap in March or April.
Warmer than usual winters in the past five years have caused important losses in Europe’s agricultural sector.
Forecasting what the weather will be like for the rest of 2023 is a difficult scientific exercise, but the UK Met Office has already warned that Britain is likely to see mild conditions continue this month.
Mr Krinner said that on a global scale, 2023 will likely be warmer than 2022.
The planet is currently experiencing cooler than usual conditions in the eastern Pacific region due to the La Nina weather pattern, which is the opposite of El Nino, when temperatures in that region are warmer than usual.
“The current La Nina event, which lasted for three years, will soon be over and we will be heading towards neutral conditions. Because the Eastern Pacific is a large region, it’s fair to assume that global temperatures in 2023 will be higher than in 2022,” Mr Krinner told The National.
Climate change has been particularly noticeable in Europe in recent decades.
Temperatures are rising twice as fast in Europe compared to the rest of the world for reasons that are not yet entirely clear to scientists, said Francoise Vimeux, a climatologist and research director at the Institute for Research and Development, in Marseille.
On average, temperatures across the planet have increased by 1.1°C since the beginning of the 20th century, but in France they have gone up 1.7°C.
One reason may be that in Europe, Scandinavian countries pass through the Arctic Circle, where there is more snow than elsewhere in the continent.
As temperatures rise, snow melts, which in turn causes temperatures to rise even more rapidly. This phenomenon of “polar amplification” is well-known to scientist, said Ms Vimeux.
“White surface is replaced by dark surfaces which absorb solar energy more efficiently,” she told The National.
If Europe continues on its current weather trajectory, temperatures that were considered to be extreme in 2022 will become the norm after 2050, with temperatures as high as 50°C to be expected during the summer in southern European countries, she said.
“We’re talking about peaks for a couple of hours, not entire days,” said Ms Vimeux.
Climate change, and more particularly heatwaves, increases death rates, damages ecosystems, reduces agriculture yields and water resources.
“We are forced to adapt, because even if we stopped all CO2 emissions tomorrow, temperatures would continue to rise for the next 20 to 30 years,” said Ms Vimeux.
The World Health Organisation estimates that hot weather across Europe killed more than 15,000 people last summer.
Agricultural practices and eating habits across Europe will be at the forefront of this climate transformation, said Mr Zaka, as weather patterns currently common around the Mediterranean will move north.
Yields in southern Europe are likely to decrease as water supplies dry up. “We’ll have to focus on crops like olives, citrus, almonds, pistachio, and sorghum,” said Mr Zaka.
But it’s not all bad, he pointed out. Agriculture in north and north-east Europe might be positively affected by climate change.
“Thawing soils in Russia, Ukraine and southern Scandinavia will allow those countries to grow more wheat,” he said.
And more vineyards are “likely to appear in Belgium, Luxembourg and southern Britain,” added Mr Zaka.
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TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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
match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
RESULT
West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' )
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72')
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
