France on Tuesday warned the public that temperatures could rise by a catastrophic 4°C this century despite efforts to turn the tide of climate change.
The country would endure weeks of “tropical nights”, droughts would be five times as likely and the risk of a tropical cyclone would rise, officials said.
Ministers are canvassing the public’s views on how pessimistic their climate planning should be.
In a bid to stem emissions, ministers also confirmed on Tuesday a ban on many short-haul flights across France.
Passengers are expected to travel by train rather than flying between Paris and the cities of Lyon, Nantes and Bordeaux.
The 2015 Paris Agreement calls for drastic emissions cuts to keep temperatures to below 2°C, or preferably 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels.
However, the chance of temperatures rising beyond 2°C “cannot be ignored, even if achieving the Paris objectives remains our task and our priority,” says an eight-page French consultation brochure.
“In effect we need to give ourselves a trajectory of global warming … which will serve as a reference point for all adaptation measures we take in France.”
Scientists say Europe is warming faster than the global average, partly because of rapid changes in the Arctic.
It is estimated that a 3°C rise globally would be enough to make temperatures 4°C warmer in mainland France by 2100.
The French are being asked whether that 4°C rise should be adopted as the official worst-case planning benchmark.
If it comes about, there could be heatwaves lasting two months and as many as 40 to 50 “tropical nights” annually, the public was warned – compared to about 10 a year if the Paris targets are met.
Almost all of France’s glaciers would disappear in the worst case, it is feared, after a lack of Alpine snow forced ski resorts to close last winter.
The government is also asking for input on what “financial and technical support” should be offered to help people adapt to warmer times.
Christophe Bechu, Minister for Ecological Transition, has mooted new taxes on the wealthy to finance the necessary changes.
“We have to prepare concretely for the inevitable effects on our territory and our lives,” he said.
“Droughts and heatwaves are multiplying and becoming more intense, water resources are becoming strained, there is less snowfall and coastal erosion is threatening many areas.”
One opposition MP, Clemence Guette, accused the government of “giving up” by focusing on adaptation.
“The government’s rhetoric is aimed at justifying its inaction,” she said.
Francesco Totti's bio
Born September 27, 1976
Position Attacking midifelder
Clubs played for (1) - Roma
Total seasons 24
First season 1992/93
Last season 2016/17
Appearances 786
Goals 307
Titles (5) - Serie A 1; Italian Cup 2; Italian Supercup 2
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
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
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
