Author: Darina Kalamova

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Heatwave Leads to Fires and Mass Evacuation in Greece

27 July 2023 – by Darina Kalamova

The Northern Hemisphere is currently in its summer season and heatwaves have been causing widespread chaos in many countries. Southern and Eastern Europe has been experiencing record-breaking temperatures for the past two weeks. Wildfires are ravaging countries, people are risking their lives and are losing their homes and livelihoods.

Rhodes is in flames

Numerous fires have erupted throughout Greece since the heatwave began, with very intense ones occurring in Rhodes,  the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands. The island has been battling wildfires for the past ten days and since then, the flames have spread from the island’s mountainous area into its heavily populated parts causing mass evacuation operations.

Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes and abandon holidays in order to protect their lives. In fact, more than 20,000 people have fled the flames since the weekend, making this Greece’s largest-ever wildfire evacuation. Authorities have been using transport planes to transfer camp beds, sleeping bags, and other essential supplies to Rhodes.

Many of the evacuated people were tourists who ended up being stranded at airports or other makeshift shelters including schools and conference halls for days. Since then, some have managed to get back to their respective countries, but many homes and businesses on the island have been destroyed.  In the upcoming days, government experts are expected to visit the area and assess the damage. 

Beyond the island’s borders

The prolongated heatwave is causing severe issues in other parts of the country as well. According to Pavlos Marinakis, a spokesperson for the Greek government, the firefighting efforts have become increasingly difficult due to the combination of high temperatures and parched conditions. He added that since the beginning of the heatwave, the country has had more than 50 new fires per day, or more than 600 in total.  

Emergency services are tackling fires on Evia and some areas have already been evacuated there. Corfu is another popular summer destination, which has suffered dramatically over the past two weeks and over 2000 people have been evacuated. The Greek Prime Minister warned that everybody should stay on high alert for the following weeks as “the climate crisis will manifest itself everywhere in the Mediterranean with greater disasters.”

Climate Change 

Scientists are warning that such heatwaves will become even more severe in the near future and different regions around the globe will start experiencing them more and more often.  According to a study conducted by World Weather Attribution, the events witnessed this month would have been “extremely rare” in the absence of human-induced climate change. The World Weather Attribution team estimated that the increasing greenhouse gas emissions are making the European heatwave 2.5 Celsius hotter than it would otherwise have been. Therefore, even though, fires are common in Greece, climate change has led to even more extreme heatwaves and increased temperatures.

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Bonaire’s Residents To Launch Legal Action Against The Netherlands

boats on river between trees during daytime

4 June 2023 – by Darina Kalamova

Bonaire is an island located in the southern Caribbean Sea. Due to its small size and low elevation, it is highly susceptible to the negative effects of climate change. These effects encompass flooding, intense rainfall, prolonged periods of high temperatures, as well as the degradation and potential loss of coral reefs.

The Report

In 2022, a shocking study, outlining climate change’s effect on the island, was published. The report revealed how climate-related issues are already impacting the everyday experiences of individuals residing in the Caribbean region and what could happen in the near future if immediate action is not taken. 

Legal Action  

The island became a special Dutch municipality in 2010 and since then the Dutch government has been responsible for implementing any climate measures.

As a result of this and the study from 2022, a group of Bonaire inhabitants,  together with Greenpeace,  has launched legal action against the Dutch government, claiming that it has neglected its duty to safeguard the island against the impacts of climate change.

Citizens fear that climate change will have disastrous consequences for the island’s unique flora and fauna, their health, and livelihoods. The plaintiffs emphasized that the Dutch government should speed up its work on limiting global warming below 1.5 degrees and that emissions from the Netherlands should be reduced to zero by 2040. 

This is not only due to the significant CO2 emissions originating from the European Netherlands, but also because the residents of Bonaire are Dutch citizens, who should be treated as such.  For example, according to Faiza Oulahsen, Head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace, there are standards against flood risks, dykes, and a lot of policies in the European Netherlands that do not exist in Bonaire.

Government’s Response

As a response, the Dutch government put up a statement pledging to accelerate its efforts. In addition, it recently announced that it would increase its funding to make it easier for the island to access existing energy transition and economic subsidies. However, if the Dutch government does not come up with a long-term solution, the plaintiffs are planning on filing a formal legal challenge and standing trial. The government is given until the end of September to come up with a plan of action. 

A Global Movement For Climate Justice

The Bonaire climate case is part of a global movement for climate justice, spearheaded by coastal and island residents, who despite contributing the least to the climate crisis, are disproportionately bearing the brunt of its effects.  

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Flooding in Nigeria Causes Mass Displacement, Health Risks and Food Insecurity

29 October 2022 – by Darina Kalamova

Flooding is a prevalent natural disaster in Nigeria, but it is rarely as devastating as it has been in 2022. In fact, this year’s floods have been the worst ones in the last 12 years and so far they have caused the deaths of more than 600 people. 1.4 million people have been displaced and thousands of hectares of farmland have been submerged. People have lost their homes and livelihoods, and many are in need of shelter and food.

The crisis is further exacerbated by the fact that the country’s northern region is embroiled in a regional conflict. Thousands of Nigerians were already living in camps for displaced persons because of it and now those camps are being destroyed by the water. 

Authorities blame the tragedy on the hefty rainy season aggravated by climate change and the discharge of excess water from the Lagdo dam.  However, several other factors should also be taken into account, including the country’s land use plan, its disaster management, and the lack of investment in climate infrastructure. 

The government is calling on state and local government councils to increase their efforts and continue to evacuate people who live on floodplains as there is still a danger of further flooding. In fact, some Nigerian States will remain at risk until the end of November and some inland water reservoirs are expected to continue overflowing, endangering the communities living alongside the rivers Niger and Benue.

There are concerns about the spread of diseases due to the water contamination caused by flooding. In fact, an increase in cholera and other preventable diseases has already been reported. Several rice-producing states in northern and central Nigeria, where the conflict has already been threatening food production, are now also being affected by the floods. This is straining the country’s food stability and according to data from UNICEF, more than two million people are at risk of waterborne diseases and malnutrition. 

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German Citizens Take Legal Action Against the National Government Over Air Pollution

white and blue clouds

4 October 2022 – by Darina Kalamova

A group of German citizens has launched legal action against the German government over polluted air.  They claim their right to breathe clean and healthy air has been violated and that Germany should tighten its air quality legislation. 

Air pollution is a big health threat as it is linked to long-term diseases, including cancer, heart problems and respiratory illnesses. In addition, experts are worried that air quality could get even worse this winter due to the looming energy crisis, especially if more people turn to resources such as coal and wood to heat their homes.

Furthermore, the claimants argue that while air pollution levels in Germany often comply with EU legislation, they are still four-five times higher than what the World Health Organization recommends in its 2021 guidelines for clean air. This means that even though cities are not considered polluted, people are still breathing dangerously dirty air.

The European Union has legally-binding air quality standards, but they haven’t changed since 2015.  The European Commission is currently working to revise the air quality guidelines and align them more closely with the WHO recommendations, but it might take a while until they become obligatory for the member-states.

The case comes after the Advocate General to the European Court of Justice, Juliane Kokott, said in May that it could be possible for EU citizens to claim compensation from their governments when their health has been affected by high levels of air pollution.

Despite the fact that the opinions of Advocate Generals are not legally binding, they are usually taken into account by the court. Therefore, if air pollution levels do not decrease in the near future, cases such as this one may become more common.

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Pakistan After the Floods: Health Risks and Weakened Economy

28 September 2022 – Darina Kalamova

In 2022, Pakistan suffered unprecedented floods, brought on by a severe heatwave, followed by heavier-than-normal rains. According to recent data, the record rainfall was five times the 30-year average.

Homes, roads, railways, livestock, and crops were lost and thousands of schools and healthcare facilities were destroyed.  Southern Sindh, the most affected region, is still in a critical situation, with many areas still submerged.

International Response 

In September 2022 the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, visited Pakistan. During a press conference, he called for global financial support for the country and tougher action on climate change.

Pakistan is experiencing the worst effects of climate change although it is responsible for only around 0.6% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Guterres added that the international community should acknowledge this and especially the countries with a bigger contribution to climate change.

Health Risks 

The UN and humanitarian partners have delivered more than one million life-saving items, including food, clean water and healthcare essentials. In September, the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund announced a $7 million disbursement and the UN launched a $160 million appeal to help Pakistan deal with the floods. 

According to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, the relief missions are slow, and more than half a million people are still living in makeshift camps. This is increasing the risk of diseases and health professionals are already reporting surges in dengue, malaria and severe gastric infections. For example, waterborne diseases have pushed daily patient numbers to  90,000 in Sindh as access to health services, especially in rural areas, is still very limited. 

Economy

Agriculture makes up nearly a fourth of Pakistan’s gross domestic product. At least four million hectares of agricultural land have been damaged and key sources of income such as cotton and rice production are in danger of collapse.

Experts are concerned that with nearly half the country’s crops washed away, Pakistan is on the verge of a severe food crisis.  This is very likely to have international implications as well. The country is the fourth-largest global rice exporter and any dramatic drop in exports will negatively affect the global food market.

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The Number of Fires in The Amazon Increases in 2022

19 September 2022 – by Darina Kalamova

Tropical rainforests stay humid throughout the year and fires aren’t a natural phenomenon there.

This means that nearly all blazes currently burning in the Amazon are started by people in service of mining, logging, and agriculture. Farmers start blazes to clear land for other uses, such as pasture and crops. Illegal loggers and miners use them to hide their activities or to drive traditional communities out of their land.   

Climate change and global warming are exacerbating the situation as well. They lead to higher temperatures and drier conditions, making it impossible to keep the fires under control. Without regular rainfall the forest shifts from being fire-resistant to fire-susceptible. 

The Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian Amazon is affected most, primarily due to weakened law enforcement and lack of political will.  In 2022, 4000 square kilometers of forest have been cleared away, marking a 17% increase over the previous year.

August and September typically mark the forest’s dry season. August recorded the highest number of fires in a month, surpassing previous years. In fact, on August 22 more than 3,300 fire alerts were reported in a day,  the worst number in the last 15 years.  September is painting a similar picture as the first week of the month had more fires than in all of September 2021.

Thick clouds of smoke cover towns in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará for weeks at a time, and smoke inhalation is becoming a serious health risk for the local population. The blazes also threaten the forest’s biodiversity and the global climate. Scientists warn that the rainforest’s carbon-storing potential is crucial, and without it, the planet is headed for an ecological disaster.

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Record Levels of Displacement and Famine Warnings in Somalia as Drought Continues

12 September 2022 – Darina Kalamova

One million people have been internally displaced in Somalia since January 2021 when an unprecedented drought began. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam AbdelmoulĐ°, stated that more than seven million people – nearly half of Somalia’s population – will experience its effects by the end of 2022. 

What is Happening?

Food prices have risen sharply and many people cannot afford essential products such as water and wheat. More than three million animals, crucial to Somalia’s economy, have died and crop production has substantially dropped due to low levels of precipitation.

This has forced many people living in rural areas to leave their homes behind and seek refuge in urban regions and displaced persons camps. In fact, after another failed growing season, a spike in displacement was recorded in June and July 2022.

Famine Warnings 

Experts are concerned that a fifth failed rainy season is very likely. This, in combination with the loss of livelihood, is increasing the possibility of famine and health risks for the population. 213,000 Somalis are reported to be living in famine-like conditions with no access to basic necessities.

Children are most vulnerable because malnutrition can reduce their physical and mental development. Heartbreaking data shows that around 1.5 million children under the age of 5 face acute malnutrition, with over 380,000 likely to experience severe malnourishment. According to the UN Children’s fund, drought-related malnutrition has already led to the deaths of 500 children.

The UN humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, warned that two districts of Somalia are in imminent danger of famine and thousands are at risk of losing their lives. He stressed the urgency of the situation and compared the current disaster to the famine of 2010-2011 when more than 200,000 people died. He called for more humanitarian aid and additional funding for the affected areas.

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Extreme Drought in Europe is Causing Record-Breaking Disruption

Low waters of the Rhine river in summer 2022

9 September 2022 – Darina Kalamova

This year another negative climate-related record in Europe will likely be broken as the ongoing drought is set to become the worst one in the last 500 years.

The combination of low rainfall and extremely high summer temperatures is overheating and drying up rivers and lakes across Europe. Water shortages are already hindering the continent’s activity because the river basins provide important economic routes and ecosystems. Without them, international trade, industrial activity, agriculture, energy and food production are in danger of collapse. 

The Rhine is Europe’s largest and most important river and its water is used for freight transport, irrigation, manufacturing, power generation and drinking. Since early August 2022, the river has been recording alarmingly low levels and is in danger of becoming impassable. This will halt the transport of grain, coal, and other goods with catastrophic economic consequences. Ships are already being forced to limit their cargo and if the water level continues to drop, they may have to stop operating altogether.

Economic activity in the Danube is disrupted as well. Wrecks of World War II ships have resurfaced from the water and while this is not the first time this has occurred, the wrecks emerge only when the water level is extremely low. The rise of water temperature also poses a serious threat to the river as the overheating can result in lower oxygen content and not enough soil moisture. Concerns for the survival of the local fish species have been raised.

Other important European waterways are facing similar threats and experts warn that the expected rainfall this autumn may not be enough to raise water levels high enough to restore normal activity and that similar dry periods may no longer be exceptions in the future, but the rule.

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Australia: New Report Warns Of Climate Change and Acknowledges Indigenous Peoples’ Role in Environmental Management

landscape photography of mountain under blue sky

12 August 2022 – Darina Kalamova

Every five years, the Australian government releases a report on the state of the nation’s environment, which details the most crucial environmental issues, repercussions and possible solutions.

The 2021 State of the Environment Report

Unfortunately, the findings of the most recent report state that climate change, habitat and species loss, pollution, and resource extraction are devastating Australia’s environment.

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and over the last five years natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wildfires, storms, and heatwaves have affected virtually every part of Australia. Millions of hectares of potential habitat for animal and plant species have been lost or heavily damaged. 

The marine ecosystem is in a critical state . While sea levels are rising, some of the most important river basins on the land are recording alarmingly low water flows. 

It is important to note that the report highlights some positive shifts. More investments are being made and people are becoming more involved in the climate change conversation. 

Indigenous peoples’ role in environmental management 

The relationship between the environment and people’s well-being, especially the interconnectedness of environment and culture, is emphasised as well.

There is a dedicated chapter on Indigenous peoples and their role in conservation. This involves aspects such as cultural principles, deep understandings of the flora and fauna, and land and sea management practices and is a part of a growing movement of climate reports that recognise Indigenous peoples’ role in Australia’s future.

Indigenous peoples have a deep connection to the land, which has developed for thousands of years and it has helped them adapt to shifting climates and radically different environments.  Traditional Ecological Knowledge could become a key element of environmental management, as it has the means to provide a new approach focused on culture and traditions instead of other values such as economic gains. 

Indigenous peoples are more likely to be impacted by environmental crises and therefore their inclusion in the decision-making process is vital. The report advocates for cooperation, improved application of existing environmental laws and regulations, as well as for new actions to codify Indigenous land stewardship. Excluding a group that has been on the continent for thousands of years, would mean disregarding any historical context, ongoing injustices and imbalances in power. 

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United Nations General Assembly Declares that a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment is a Universal Human Right

silhouette photo of three person near tall trees

4 August 2022 – by Darina Kalamova

On 28 July 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that gives a clean, healthy and sustainable environment  a universal recognition with air quality, safe and sufficient water, healthy soil, climate change, and biodiversity being some of the main concerns.

The resolution received overwhelming support in the Assembly, and out of the 193 United Nations Member States, 161 voted in favour and 8 abstained. The Secretary-General, António Guterres, who welcomed the adoption of the document as well, stated that it “demonstrates that member states can come together in our collective fight against the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution”.

Despite not being legally binding, the resolution is still an important tool that could bring real change in the world.

Firstly, the universal right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is now integrated into the United Nations framework alongside other fundamental social, economic, civic and political rights. Secondly, it underlines the need to put human rights at the center of environmental policies, and it further empowers local communities and individuals to call for positive action.

The resolution also highlights the political commitment expressed by the member states to fight environmental degradation, climate change and poverty, which are deeply interlinked. Therefore, working towards realizing this universal right can bring much needed relief to those who are disproportionately affected by environmental threats, including indigenous persons, women, marginalized communities, people with disabilities.

Everyone everywhere deserves a right to a healthy environment and the adoption of this resolution is a right step in achieving this human right. It lays the needed foundation for all concerned sides to take action and scale up their efforts.