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  • MIL-OSI Video: UN Chief: G20 Meeting | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Opening remarks by the Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres 2nd Foreign Ministers meeting of G20 Brasil 2024

    “This is a historic first.

    The G20, the United Nations system and the Bretton Woods institutions and other international financial institutions deal with some of the most important challenges of our time: inequality, financing for development, the climate crisis, the impact of new technologies.

    In all these areas, progress is slipping out of reach as our world becomes more unsustainable, unequal and unpredictable.

    Conflicts are raging, the climate crisis is accelerating, inequalities are growing, and new technologies have unprecedented potential for good – and bad.

    Global institutions must work together – not on parallel or conflicting tracks.

    They must cooperate and collaborate for the good of humanity and the Summit of the Future was an essential first step.

    It has created opportunities and possibilities for reform across the board.

    But without implementation, it will be meaningless.

    The work starts today.

    Excellencies,

    The Pact for the Future is about action in the here and now.

    And G20 countries can act in three specific areas.

    First, finance.

    We need ambitious reforms of the international financial architecture to make it fully representative of today’s global economy, so it can provide strong support to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

    I commend the leadership of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund for making important progress.

    But the resources available are still dwarfed by the size of the needs.

    Many developing countries are being hit by a double whammy of climate chaos and debt.

    To support low- and middle-income developing countries effectively, multilateral development banks must be bigger, bolder and better.

    We need a far more robust financial safety net to shield countries in a world of frequent shocks.

    Voting rights and decision-making rules should reflect the changing global landscape.

    And access to concessional finance should be based on needs and vulnerabilities, not just on income.

    All parts of the global financial system must work together to reduce the cost of finance and the inequalities that blight our world.

    This demands action on debt – starting with an effective mechanism to deal with debt relief and restructuring.

    As a first step, I welcome the commitment by the International Monetary Fund to review the debt architecture – as set out in the Pact for the Future.
    I look to all G20 countries to push for deep reforms so that global financial institutions reflect today’s world and respond to today’s challenges.

    One of those challenges is global hunger. It is shameful that in our world of plenty, around one person in ten regularly goes without food for an entire day or more – known as severe food insecurity.

    I welcome President Lula and Brazil’s focus on global hunger during the G20 presidency and call on all G20 countries – and all UN Member States – to strengthen efforts to end this affront to our common humanity.

    Excellencies,

    The second area for action is climate.

    We are at a critical moment: a battle to prevent temperatures from rising above the agreed limit of 1.5 degrees.

    Today’s decisions and actions will determine the course of our world for decades to come.

    The climate crisis transcends borders and politics. Climate action cannot be a victim of geopolitical competition.

    Under G20 leadership we will be able to have drastic reductions in fossil fuel production and consumption as an essential element for climate action.

    By 2030, global production and consumption of all fossil fuels must decline by at least thirty per cent – and global renewables capacity must triple.

    This requires OECD countries to phase out coal by 2030 and to fully decarbonize power generation systems by 2035.

    And it means non-OECD countries must phase out coal by 2040.

    I have been strongly advocating for no new coal or upstream oil and gas projects for all G20 nations.

    New national climate plans due next year are an opportunity for countries to align energy strategies and development priorities with climate ambition, taking into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

    They must also show how each country intends to transition away from fossil fuels, in line with the outcome at COP 28.

    Excellencies,

    There has never been a greater global challenge than the climate crisis.

    There has never been more agreement on the solution: a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

    And renewable technologies have never been better – or cheaper.

    The obstacle to the renewables revolution is not economics, or a lack of solutions.

    It is mindsets, and lack of vision.

    Those that lead the renewables revolution are already reaping the rewards.” [Excerpt].

    Full remarks: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-25/secretary-generals-remarks-meeting-of-g20-foreign-ministers-delivered

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfbW4_r5_i8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry Achieves Target of Planting 80 Crore Saplings Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry Achieves Target of Planting 80 Crore Saplings Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign

    80 Crore Saplings Target Achieved 5 Days Ahead of Deadline

    The target was to plant 80 crore saplings by September 2024

    Prime Minister had launched ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign on World Environment Day, 2024

    Posted On: 25 SEP 2024 4:14PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change has achieved an important target under tree plantation campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign.  The target was plantation of 80 crore seedlings by September, 2024. The target has been achieved today. This has been made possible through collective efforts of Government Agencies, village level institutions, the local people and other stake holders.

    Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam is a special country wide Tree Plantation Campaign launched on World Environment Day, 5th June 2024.  Under the campaign, people are encouraged to plant a tree as mark of love, respect and honour for their mother and also to take a pledge for protecting trees and mother earth. The campaign aims for halting land degradation and eco-restoration of degraded land parcels.

    *****

    VM/GS

    (Release ID: 2058622) Visitor Counter : 53

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FMQs: Scottish Greens urge First Minister to reverse rail fare hike

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Sep 2024 Transport End Peak Rail Fares

    Peak fares are an unfair tax on workers and students.

    More in Transport

    Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater has urged the First Minister to mark Climate Week by halting the return of peak rail fares.

    Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ms Slater underlined the unfair nature of peak fares, which punish workers and students who have no choice about when they travel.

    The return of peak fares will see rail prices soaring. From the end of this week, someone travelling from the First Minister’s Perthshire constituency will pay £34.30 for a return ticket during peak hours, an increase of 58% on the current cost of £21.60.

    In her first question to the First Minister, Ms Slater said: “This week is Climate Week. The Climate Change Committee tells us that we urgently need to decarbonise transport. Getting people out of cars and planes and onto buses, trains and their own feet or wheels. 

    “The Scottish Government’s pilot to abolish peak rail fares, which was championed by the Scottish Greens in government, ends this week, hiking up the prices of train fares for many workers and students who do not have any choice about when they travel. 

    “Is this the right message for the Scottish Government to be sending in Climate Week?”

    Following a response from the First Minister, in which he did not reverse his decision, Ms Slater called for the SNP to support the introduction of a private jet tax to fund the permanent removal of peak fares.

    Ms Slater said: “The First Minister is in luck as I have a suggestion. Oxfam has reported that £21.5 million a year could be raised through a tax on Private Jets, assuming it was embedded in the Air Departure Tax, legislation that this parliament passed 7 years ago and hasn’t acted on. That’s enough to abolish peak fares for good. 

    “We all understand the need to ensure an exemption to Air Departure Tax for our island communities. Will the First Minister work with the UK Government to urgently introduce this tax so commuters can once again have fairer prices on our trains?”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall – 3 epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jennifer Head, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, University of Michigan

    As the climate warms and landscapes become drier, researchers fear that valley fever could spread across other regions of the U.S. Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images

    As the climate warms, the southwestern U.S. is increasingly experiencing weather whiplash as the region swings from drought to flooding and back again. As a result, the public is hearing more about little-known infectious diseases, such as valley fever.

    In May 2024, about 20,000 people attended a music festival in Buena Vista Lake, California. In the months that followed, at least 19 developed valley fever, and eight were hospitalized from their infection. This outbreak follows a dramatic increase of more than 800% in valley fever infections in California between 2000 and 2018.

    In 2023, California reported the second-highest number of valley fever cases on record, with more than 9,000 cases reported statewide. And between April 2023 and March 2024, California provisionally reported 10,593 cases – 40% more than during the same period the prior year.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Jennifer Head, Simon Camponuri and Alexandra Heaney – researchers specializing in the epidemiology of valley fever – to explain what valley fever is, and what might explain its rise in recent years.

    What is valley fever, and how do you get infected?

    Valley fever is the common name for a disease called coccidioidomycosis, which is an infection caused by pathogenic fungi from the Coccidioides genus. The fungi are primarily found in arid soils of the southwestern United States, as well as parts of Central and South America.

    When the fungus has access to moisture and nutrients, it grows long, branching fungal chains throughout the soil. When the soil dries out, these chains fragment to form fungal spores, which can be stirred up into the air when the soil is disturbed, such as by wind or digging. Airborne spores can then be inhaled and cause a respiratory infection.

    Cases of valley fever are typically highest in California’s southern San Joaquin Valley and southern Arizona, but they have been increasing outside of these regions. Between 2000 and 2018, the incidence of valley fever cases increased fifteenfold in the northern San Joaquin Valley and eightfold along the Southern California coast. And between 2014 and 2018, incidence increased by more than eightfold along the central coast.

    Because of these trends and the virulence of the pathogen that causes valley fever, it is listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. Historically, fungal infections have received very little attention and resources. By creating this list, the WHO is hoping to galvanize action surrounding listed pathogens, including getting more resources for research as well as the development of new treatments.

    Coccidioides immitis, one of the two species of fungus that cause valley fever.
    Smith Collection-Gado/Archive Photos via Getty Images

    What are the symptoms, and what should people be looking for?

    After inhaling fungal spores from the environment, Coccidioides initially infects the lungs, causing symptoms like mild to severe cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain and tiredness. Valley fever symptoms can resemble other common respiratory infections, so it’s important for people to get checked by a doctor if they’ve experienced prolonged symptoms, particularly if they have been given antibiotics that they are not responding to.

    In California and Arizona, an estimated one-third of community-acquired pneumonia cases – or pneumonia acquired outside of the hospital – are caused by valley fever. However, only a fraction of community-acquired pneumonia cases get tested for it, so it’s likely the number of valley fever cases is significantly higher. Among diagnosed cases, half experienced symptoms for two months or more before being diagnosed.

    In 5% to 10% of cases, the fungus can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the central nervous system, liver and bones, causing meningitis or arthritis-like symptoms. These cases can be severe and possibly fatal.

    Antifungal treatment is available, and early diagnosis and treatment is critical for better outcomes.

    Jose Epifanio Sanchez Trujeque of Lebec, Calif., spent four months in the hospital after contracting valley fever in 2023.
    The Washington Post/Getty Images

    What time of year should you be most concerned?

    Valley fever cases can occur year-round, but in California, cases reported via surveillance systems tend to increase starting in August and September, peak in November and return to background levels in January and February.

    Researchers believe that patients are likely exposed to the fungus in the summer and early fall months, typically one to three months prior to their diagnosis. This delay accounts for time between when patients are exposed, develop symptoms and are diagnosed with the disease. While cases peak in the fall on average, seasonal strength and timing varies regionally.

    Our research shows that this seasonal surge in the fall is especially strong following wetter winters and that alternation between dry and wet conditions is associated with increased incidence in fall months.

    Valley fever cases in California nearly doubled following wet winters that occurred one and two years after the 2007-2009 and 2012-2015 droughts.

    In 2023, California experienced a similar transition, with an extreme drought occurring between 2020-2022 followed by heavy precipitation in the winter of 2022-2023.

    This transition was followed by a near-record spike in cases in 2023. The state experienced another wet winter during the 2023-2024 wet season, furthering concern about continued high risk for valley fever in 2024.

    Our research team recently developed a model to forecast valley fever cases that will occur between April 2024 and March 2025 in California. We forecast that the state is likely to see another spike in cases during the fall and winter of 2024, on par with the spike in 2023.

    During high-risk periods, clinicians should consider valley fever as a potential diagnosis. This is especially true when evaluating a patient presenting with valley fever symptoms or a respiratory illness who lives in, works in or traveled to an endemic or emerging region.

    We are currently working to characterize seasonal disease patterns in Arizona as well, which are different from California’s. This is likely because Arizona has two rainy seasons.

    Are some people at greater risk than others?

    Those who spend time or work outdoors in areas where valley fever is common, especially where they may be exposed to dirt and dust, are more likely to get it.

    While healthy people are still at risk of infection, certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing severe disease from valley fever. These include being an adult 60 years or older, having diabetes, HIV or another condition that weakens the immune system, or being pregnant. People who are Black or Filipino also have been noted to have a higher risk of severe disease, which may relate to more exposure to the fungal spores, underlying health conditions, inequities in accessing care or other possible predispositions.

    People who work around dry, dusty conditions are at a higher risk of contracting valley fever.
    David McNew/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    How can you protect yourself from getting valley fever?

    People who live and work in the regions where the fungus is found should avoid exposure to dust as much as possible. When it is windy outside and the air is dusty, stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.

    When driving through a dusty area, limit vehicle speed, keep car windows closed and recirculate the air, if possible. When working outdoors, use dust suppression techniques, including wetting soil before digging to prevent stirring up dust, and installing fencing, windbreaks and vegetation where possible.

    For those who must directly stir up soil or be in dusty conditions, such as while doing construction or gardening work, consider using an N95 mask to limit dust inhalation.

    Jennifer Head receives funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.

    Alexandra K. Heaney receives funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.

    Simon Camponuri receives funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health and from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    – ref. Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall – 3 epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself – https://theconversation.com/fungal-infections-known-as-valley-fever-could-spike-this-fall-3-epidemiologists-explain-how-to-protect-yourself-238972

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS chairs inter-departmental working group meeting on festival arrangements (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         As directed by the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the inter-departmental working group meeting on festival arrangements today (September 26) to holistically review and steer the overall co-ordination work of various government departments in welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; and representatives of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, and other relevant Government departments attended the meeting.     At the meeting, Mr Chan instructed various departments to better prepare for receiving visitors during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week, actively coordinate and consolidate supporting services of boundary control points (BCPs), traffic and public transport, promptly respond to various emergency situations, and strengthen information dissemination, with a view to providing quality experience to residents and visitors in celebration of the National Day.Estimated visitor flow and preparatory work     According to the Immigration Department (ImmD)’s estimate, around 7.01 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week (October 1 to October 7) this year, among which 5.98 million passengers will pass through land control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will peak on October 1 (Tuesday).     In terms of Mainland inbound visitors, it is estimated that about 1.23 million passengers will visit Hong Kong via various sea, land and air control points during the seven-day Mainland’s National Day Golden Week.     The Travel Industry Authority has reminded travel agents receiving Mainland inbound tour groups to stagger arrival time as far as possible, and will coordinate with agencies such as tourist spots to adopt appropriate diversion measures to enable proper management of the flow of visitors and tour buses, with a view to offering a pleasant travel experience to visitors.     There will be a rich array of celebratory activities before, during and after the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week. Major mega events include the “Celebration of National Day – The Next Generation Chorus Performance” at the West Kowloon Cultural District on September 30 night (Monday) and the 2024 National Day Fireworks Display at the Victoria Harbour on October 1 night (Tuesday). The Hong Kong Police Force (Police) will arrange sufficient police manpower to implement corresponding crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements as necessary to ensure that all celebrations will be conducted in a safe and orderly manner. Various district offices will also closely monitor the flow of visitors within their corresponding districts during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week and strengthen management of the relevant spots having regard to the actual circumstances.Coordinate control points, traffic and public transport facilities     The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by Hong Kong Customs, the Police, the ImmD and other departments will be activated from September 28 (Saturday) to October 7 (Monday) to monitor the real-time situation at various control points, maintain close liaison with the Mainland port authorities through the established port hotlines and real-time notification mechanism, and take timely contingency actions to flexibly deploy manpower at the BCPs to ensure smooth operation of the land control points. The Security Bureau will also activate the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre in a timely manner to closely monitor and co-ordinate the public order situation at various BCPs and facilitate interdepartmental follow-up actions where necessary to respond promptly to various kinds of emergencies.     For transport arrangements, the Transport Department (TD) has worked with relevant Mainland authorities and relevant operators to formulate plans to strengthen services at various ports, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), as well as arranging dedicated public transport lanes at the HZMB Port, Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and Shenzhen Bay Port as necessary, with a view to ensuring smooth public transport services. Regarding local public transport services, the TD has approached various public transport operators proactively to enhance the capacity, and reserve vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors. Amongst them, the MTR Corporation Limited will enhance train service of railway lines during September 28 to October 13, with a total of about 950 extra trips, so as to facilitate the travelling of local residents and visitors. The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate 24 hours to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of different districts including various BCPs and major stations. The TD will adopt various measures including increasing the frequency of public transport services as appropriate so as to cope with the service demand and passenger flow, and will disseminate the latest traffic information through various channels.     As regards the two homeporting calls of a mega cruise ship at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week, while the cruise terminal operator will continue to coordinate with the cruise company, transport service operators and travel agents etc. to make proper transport planning, the Tourism Commission (TC) has also liaised with the bus companies and the taxi trade through the TD to provide additional support. Shuttle bus services will also be strengthened subject to demand. As it is anticipated that many Mainland visitors will come to Hong Kong to join cruise itineraries via the land BCPs, the TC has also assisted the trade in coordinating with BCPs to ensure smooth immigration clearance. Direct coach services will be provided to take visitors from the BCPs to the cruise terminal.Weather forecast     The weather in Hong Kong is expected to be generally fine during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week, with low chances of being affected by heavy rain and tropical cyclones. A fresh to strong northeasterly monsoon is expected to arrive in Guangdong on the National Day, followed by a couple of days of slightly cooler and drier weather, with a minimum temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius in the urban areas. The above forecast is a preliminary assessment, and the Observatory will update the forecast depending on the latest weather changes.Information dissemination     To facilitate visitors in planning their itineraries, the inter-departmental working group will strengthen information dissemination including the latest inbound visitor arrivals, the situation at various BCPs, information on celebratory events, transport arrangements and the latest weather information, etc, to facilitate residents and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.     The Tourism Board (TB) has also launched a dedicated webpage to consolidate various useful information during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week, including the operating arrangements of major tourist attractions in Hong Kong, details of various unique celebratory events, special discount and promotional activities around the National Day, so as to facilitate residents and visitors to plan their itineraries more conveniently. The TB has also stepped up promotion in the Mainland, including launching special offers with major online integrated tourism platforms in the Mainland, in order to promote large-scale events with characteristics, explore the unique cultural and tourism experiences in Hong Kong through the promotional channel of the platforms and boost spending of more Mainland visitors in Hong Kong as well as enhance visitors’ experience.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Annual Meeting Opening Remarks by AIIB President

    Source: Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank

    Your Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
    Distinguished Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Honored Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

    Assalomu alaykum.

    It is my great honor to welcome you all to the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. On behalf of AIIB, I extend my deepest appreciation to the Republic of Uzbekistan for the gracious hospitality shown to the delegations for this Annual Meeting, the first in Central Asia.

    Your Excellency President Mirziyoyev, it is with the greatest of pleasure that AIIB has invited its Members to Uzbekistan to witness the accelerating prosperity that is gaining increasing momentum under your visionary leadership and ambitious reform agenda. Your historic visit to AIIB’s Headquarters in January this year was most significant for our bilateral relationship. With your Government’s ambitious program of nation building projects such as New Tashkent, major investments in transport, social infrastructure like hospitals and schools, and boundless potential in renewable energy, I look forward to AIIB doubling or even tripling its investment in Uzbekistan over the next 5 to 10 years.

    Distinguished Governors, we meet today at a storied center of cultural, economic and intellectual exchange. Standing at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, Samarkand’s rising prosperity began with the emergence of the Silk Road which wove across continents, tying Eurasia ever-tighter together.

    With free trade and cross border investment came a steady flow of new wealth, new ideas and new technology – stimulating scientific understanding of the world as it was then known. Underpinning this flourishing prosperity was connectivity: not just physical but, more importantly, intellectual and societal.

    Well-known are the underground ‘karez’ wells which nourished life in this dry climate, and the caravanserai that provided haven for intellectual exchange between travelers beyond commercial and business interests. Along these ancient arteries of infrastructure an intellectual lifeblood pulsed, circulating between nations of this region and spilling over into the wider world.

    It was only several hours from here that the father of algebra,

    Al-Khwarizmi, was born around 780. His ideas and writings spread to nations along the Silk Road, profoundly influencing the advance of mathematics in Europe. Indeed, his Latin name of Algoritmi is the root word for ‘algorithms’, the computations which energize today’s digital economy.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, the ancient Silk Road serves as an inspiration to us all. Such great intellectual achievements remind us that humanity is most productive, most innovative, and most prosperous when human minds meet and mingle. When people come into contact with each other, brilliant ideas sparkle.

    AIIB’s investments intend to bring regions together to ensure that global trade, technology and capital flows will continue without disruption. This helps us push the boundaries of human potential to still further distant areas. In an era of creeping geo-fragmentation, escalating climate chaos, and a hold-up in development, investing in infrastructure that connects Asia with the rest of the world is more important than ever.

    Since its inception nine years ago, AIIB has resolutely supported members amidst the rough-and-tumble of global events. Over this period, AIIB has approved financing to the tune of USD54.7 billion for 285 projects across 37 members. The development outcomes are multifold, and astounding. Our projects have connected people, 710 million strong, to urban mass transport and upgraded over 49,000 kilometers of transportation infrastructure. Thanks to our projects, there are 8.7 million people who now have access to safe drinking water. Less visibly but no less important, 22.8 million tons of CO2 emissions have been quietly averted annually.

    AIIB’s financing growth has been remarkable by historical standards. This is a great credit to the guidance to the Board of Governors and the Board of Directors. It is also a credit to the Bank’s management and staff, who deserve to be fully recognized and appreciated. Let us give them a big round of applause.

    AIIB’s funding position continues to be firmly based on triple-A ratings by all three major credit rating agencies. This year to date, the Bank has successfully issued bonds equivalent to USD 9 billion and AIIB bonds trade in line with MDB peers. Since 2022, the Bank’s administrative expenses have been fully covered by operating income. The Bank’s financial discipline strengthens its enduring ability to grow financial support for Members over time, complementing other measures under consideration from the MDB CAF review.

    Distinguished Governors, AIIB continues to double down on its client centric approach. In June this year, the structure of our investment operations was fine-tuned so as to streamline the Bank’s deployment of technical and financial expertise, and to heighten client relationships with a particular focus for private-sector financing and mobilization.

    AIIB has remained laser focused on developing financial tools which help members withstand shocks and enhance resilience. In June, Climate Policy-Based Financing (CPBF) was introduced to support Members’ efforts to improve the enabling environment for climate action, helping to mobilize private capital to push for national climate plans. The introduction of CPBF marks a new milestone in the Bank’s journey towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    This new initiative underscores our dedication to building resilient infrastructure for all, and our growing role in addressing global challenges. The Bank’s climate financing is expected to exceed 60% of its lending in 2024, well above the target of 50%.

    Excellencies: AIIB is truly a 21st century Bank. It is majority-owned by emerging and developing countries, follows the highest governance standards and relations between its governing bodies and clients are based on trust and client-centricity. This Bank is your Bank! AIIB’s most cherished principle is accountability. We in AIIB hold ourselves, each and every one of us, accountable for our decisions and actions. We adhere firmly to our most ardent vow made at the launch of the Bank’s operations that we will consistently live up to the expectations of our shareholders and stakeholders.

    Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: As we convene for our Ninth Annual Meeting, let us remember that we are building a future for generations to come. The theme of this Annual Meeting, “Building Resilient Infrastructure for All,” is not just a watchword, a call to action. It is the action! As we gather here along the ancient Silk Road, let us strive together to pave the path for sustainable development, regional and global integration, and prosperity for all.

    Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The vacuum cleaner principle and the envelope method: what technologies are used in the analytical laboratory of MosEcoMonitoring

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    What kind of air do we breathe, how clean is the water in Moscow’s rivers, is the soil suitable for planting, and what substances are contained in the first snow? The specialists of the GPBU testing center can answer these questions. “MosEcoMonitoring” Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection.

    On the eve of World Environmental Health Day, which is celebrated on September 26, mos.ru correspondents visited one of the largest environmental laboratories in the country, saw how it is set up, and learned what methods and equipment specialists use to determine the quality of air, water, and soil in the city.

    Laboratory “kitchens” for natural research

    The MosEcoMonitoring Testing Center occupies a two-story building at the address: Dalniy Pereulok, Building 2, Block 1. Here, water, soil, air, and precipitation samples are examined for more than 400 indicators. The specialists have the most modern equipment at their disposal, which allows them to obtain accurate data in a short time. Just as doctors diagnose diseases in the human body using tests, so ecologists and chemists analyze the composition of the natural environment and the level of impact of the metropolis on it.

    “This is one of the few universal laboratories of its kind in Moscow, which uses both innovative and classical research methods. The specialists are engaged not only in scheduled monitoring: they go to the site in response to requests from residents received on the hotline of the Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection,” says Marina Petrova, head of the analytical inspection department of the State Budgetary Institution MosEcoMonitoring.

    All work processes in the testing center are subject to strict regulations. In one room, air samples are analyzed, in another – water, in a third – soil. The laboratories resemble huge kitchens – with refrigerators, cabinets, sinks, various bottles, containers and flasks, and chemists in white coats resemble chefs conjuring up another dish.

    DIT of Moscow: since the beginning of the year, Muscovites have handed in 550 tons of recyclable materials using the “Removal of Unnecessary Things” serviceGlitter pens and chess sets made from plastic cups: how Moscow enterprises give recyclable materials a new life

    Blue is ammonia, pink is nitrogen oxides

    An important indicator of environmental well-being is air quality. In the laboratory for studying samples taken from the atmosphere, the shelves are lined with flasks and test tubes of various shapes and sizes, and measuring equipment is placed on the tables: titrators, gas analyzers, aspirators and various probes.

    One of the main methods used to determine the composition of the air environment is chromatography. Special tubes filled with sorbent are used to collect samples. The aspirator they are connected to sucks in air like a vacuum cleaner, and the sorbent holds certain substances and does not release them. The sample is then sent to the laboratory.

    “We regularly monitor the areas where industrial production is located and respond to citizens’ requests. If complaints are received about air pollution in a certain area, we promptly go out to check the information and take samples. Mobile laboratories are equipped with gas analyzers, which can be used to take measurements on site, which allows us to search for the source of air pollution,” explains Marina Petrova.

    The content of various substances in the air is also determined by the classical photometric method. Various chemicals are added to test tubes, which react with the sample and produce different colors. For example, blue indicates the presence of ammonia in the air, pink indicates nitrogen oxides, pale yellow indicates the content of formaldehyde, bright yellow indicates chlorine, and red indicates hydrogen fluoride. To determine the concentration of solid particles in the air, it must be passed through a special filter, and then this filter must be weighed. This method is called gravimetric.

    “We also conduct sampling at industrial enterprises. Sampling equipment helps with this. Specialists also conduct direct measurements. For this, there are gas analyzers, probes of different lengths and diameters. The direct measurement method allows us to determine the concentration of pollutants immediately on site, other studies are conducted in the laboratory,” says Dmitry Pakhomov, Deputy Head of the Analytical Inspection Department.

    Exhibition “Moscow – Caring for the Environment” Opened in Government Service CentersLabs, ultra-sensitive cameras and stress tests: how technology is helping Moscow utility workers

    Distinguish between text and smell

    Another area of activity of the testing center is the study of the quality of water in Moscow rivers, ponds and underground waters. Samples are taken in different places of the objects with special equipment in the form of a narrow cylinder, poured into a common container for mixing, and then poured into bottles of different types – depending on the type of study. Special fixing reagents are added to some containers. After the sample arrives at the laboratory, it is registered and assigned a specific number, under which it “lives” from one to 10 days.

    “Specialists conduct water research on 42 indicators, including general chemical analysis, determination of the content of hydrogen sulfide, metals, organic substances, oil products, biochemical oxygen consumption. Gravimetric, photometric, potentiometric, titrimetric, spectral and other methods of analysis are used,” notes Marina Petrova.

    The organoleptic method is used when it is necessary to determine the smell of water. Using a water bath, the sample is heated to 20 or 60 degrees, then the specialist examines it, like a perfumer, and assigns marks on a five-point scale. In order to correctly evaluate the smell, you cannot use perfume or cosmetics.

    The transparency of water is also determined in an interesting way: it is poured into a narrow flask fixed on a stand, and printed text is placed under it. A specialist looks into the flask without glasses and drains the water using a tap until he can clearly distinguish the letters. The more water remains in the flask, the higher its transparency, and vice versa.

    Moscow Presents Analytical Study of BRICS Cities’ Climate AgendaMore than 1.5 million water quality tests have been conducted in Moscow since the beginning of the year

    Crayfish do not live in bad water

    The purity of water can be checked using biological testing. It is performed using two test objects: green protococcal algae, which are grown in a special climatostat cabinet in the laboratory, and ceriodaphnia crustaceans.

    “We usually use both methods, they complement each other. The prepared test object is placed in a sample of water or aqueous extract from soil or waste. Based on the lifespan and behavior of the test object in the sample, a conclusion is made about its toxicity,” says Maria Guzova, head of the biological analysis department.

    As part of the monitoring programs and at the request of residents, the testing center specialists also conduct soil sampling. They are collected using the envelope method. Up to five kilograms of soil must be collected from the corners and center of the designated square area using metal shovels and drills. The soil is then dried, cleared of stones and foreign fragments, crushed, sifted through a sieve and placed in bags. Samples collected using various methods are delivered to the laboratory, after which they are prepared for testing. This includes drying, crushing and sieving. Further testing is carried out using both the above methods and unique ones (for example, the X-ray fluorescence method).

    Moscow has a program for monitoring urban soils, which includes more than 1,300 permanent monitoring sites, and at least 300 are surveyed annually. Based on the results of the research, specialists assess the anthropogenic and technogenic load, as well as the suitability of the soil for plants.

    How does the analytical laboratory of MosEcoMonitoring work?Water meters: how to verify them and which devices require a laboratory300 kilograms of batteries collected by visitors to Moscow fairs over the summer

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144478073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Emergency preparedness: Solid progress made by Auckland Council following reviews

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council has made large steps towards enhancing our emergency preparedness and response capabilities, since the extreme weather events of early 2023.  

    That’s according to the Auditor-General’s report: Improving Aucklanders’ emergency preparedness, which was tabled in Parliament today. 

    Councillor Sharon Stewart, Auckland Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management chairperson says the uptake on the OAG report recommendations shows the council is committed to being better prepared for future emergencies. 

    “The flooding and cyclone events in early 2023 had a devasting toll on Auckland, with many people losing their homes and some people suffering the loss of a loved one. 

    “In the aftermath of these tragic events it was clear the council needed to become better prepared to help Aucklanders in future emergencies. 

    “We commissioned three independent reviews which all made a number of recommendations about enhancing our emergency response systems and processes. 

    “I’m heartened by the progress made by Auckland Emergency Management in considering and implementing the recommendations of the reviews. 

    “Continually striving to enhance our emergency preparedness will ultimately result in a safer region and could save lives.”  

    Auckland Council Chief Executive Phil Wilson says last year was incredibly challenging and it was important to him that Auckland Council had a good honest look at how it did, and how well prepared it is.   

    “A number of internal and independent reviews, including this one carried out by the Office of the Auditor General, contributed to a prioritised programme of work. 

    “But we can’t take our foot off the pedal – the risk is too high. With complex and difficult recovery efforts continuing, the work is by no means over and our community continues to suffer. 

    “We do not and will not shirk from the central role that Auckland Emergency Management and the council needs to play, but event after event shows us that as critical as our preparations are, we are not the only answer – every household in Tāmaki Makaurau needs to have a plan. 

    “If you haven’t already, check your risk on Auckland Council’s

    Flood Viewer and use the many guides available on Auckland Emergency Management’s website to put that plan in place for your home and whānau,” says Mr Wilson. 

    The council engaged the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) to report on how effectively Auckland Emergency Management has addressed the recommendations of three reviews following the early 2023 extreme weather events. 

    These were: the Auckland Flood Response Review: Independent, External Review of Events, January 27-29, 2023 by Bush International Consulting (The Bush Review); the Auckland Severe Weather Events 2023 Debrief by Toa Consulting (The Toa Review) and the Auckland Council: Preparedness for responding to an emergency, Controller and Auditor-General, June 2023, (The OAG review). 

    John Cranfield, Acting General Manager Auckland Emergency Management says he welcomes the OAG review and outlines the progress the council has made around enhancing emergency preparedness. 

    “Since the flooding and cyclone events in early 2023, the council has been working tirelessly to improve how we respond to future emergency events and we have acted on the recommendations of the reviews. We have made real progress across a number of emergency preparedness areas. 

    “Sites for new Civil Defence centres across Auckland have been identified to increase their number and geographical spread. They are now being provisioned and resourced.  

    “In the training space, we conducted two large scale exercises (in October 2023 and March 2024), which gave us an opportunity to test our Emergency Coordination Centre, procedures, and response staff. Almost 400 Auckland Council staff have completed foundation level emergency management training through our ACES programme and new emergency response standard operating procedures and guides have been put in place for all staff, the Mayor and elected members. 

    “Getting local communities emergency ready is a crucial element in Auckland’s emergency preparedness. A new team of community advisors are working with local boards to develop readiness and response plans and provide support to local boards to increase readiness capabilities. 

    “Communications support has been enhanced within AEM, focusing on digital platforms, accessibility, increasing public awareness and keeping the Mayor, elected members and key stakeholders informed, during and after an emergency response. 

    “The welfare coordination group has been reviewed and the terms of reference re-established to ensure a planned and well-coordinated cross agency approach to Auckland’s future emergency responses.” 

    The OAG report found that Auckland Council is better placed today than it was in early 2023 to respond to the next major emergency, noting “there is more work to do to fully address and keep working to implement the recommendations of the three Auckland reviews.” 

    The OAG report also stated that Auckland Council, “accepted the recommendations of the three reviews and developed plans to implement them” and once fully implemented the OAG “considers that all 51 recommendations [across the three reviews] have been met.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 – B10-0146/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
    Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

    B10‑0146/2024

    European Parliament resolution on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 (2024/2840(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207[1],

    – having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed[2], and in particular Article 11(3) and Article 23(3) thereof,

    – having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 26 April 2024, at which no opinion was delivered, and the vote of the Appeal Committee on 29 May 2024, at which again no opinion was delivered,

    – having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers[3],

    – having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 30 November 2023, and published on 19 January 2024[4],

    – having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’)[5],

    – having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

    A. whereas, on 6 October 2022, Bayer Agriculture BV, based in Belgium, submitted on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States, an application to the Commission for the renewal of Commission Implementing Decisions 2013/649/EU[6] and (EU) 2017/1207[7]; whereas, in accordance with Article 11(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the period of authorisation of genetically modified pollen produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 (the ‘GM maize’) for food uses covered by Implementing Decision 2013/649/EU has been automatically extended until a decision is taken on the renewal application;

    B. whereas, on 30 November 2023, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion, which was published on 19 January 2024;

    C. whereas the GM maize has been modified to produce insecticides (‘Bt toxins’);

    Outstanding questions concerning Bt toxins

    D. whereas a number of studies show that side effects have been observed that may affect the human immune system following exposure to Bt toxins and that some Bt toxins may have adjuvant properties[8], meaning that they can increase the allergenicity of other proteins with which they come into contact;

    Bt crops: effects on non-target organisms

    E. whereas, unlike the use of insecticides, where exposure is at the time of spraying and for a limited time afterwards, the use of Bt GM crops leads to continuous exposure of the target and non-target organisms to Bt toxins;

    F. whereas the assumption that Bt toxins exhibit a single target-specific mode-of-action can no longer be considered correct and effects on non-target organisms cannot be excluded; whereas an increasing number of non-target organisms are reported to be affected in many ways; whereas 39 peer-reviewed publications that report significant adverse effects of Bt toxins on many ‘out-of-range’ species are mentioned in a recent overview[9];

    Member State comments

    G. whereas Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period[10], including that the compositional data for the GM maize should be checked and re-analysed and that the analysis should fulfil the present EFSA requirements, inter alia equivalence testing, and that the literature review did not include studies on the fate of Cry1Ab in the environment or on potential effects of Bt-crop residues on non-target organisms, which is problematic because publications indicate that a carryover from GM maize feed to manure may lead to exposure of soil organisms to Cry1Ab and that this may trigger negative effects on soil organisms with consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services;

    H. whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s obligations under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD);

    Reducing dependency on imported feed

    I. whereas one of the lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine is the need for the Union to end the dependencies on some critical materials; whereas in the mission letter to Commissioner-elect Christophe Hansen, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks him to look at ways to reduce imports of critical commodities[11];

    Undemocratic decision-making

    J. whereas the vote on 26 April 2024 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States; whereas the vote on 29 May 2024 of the Appeal Committee again delivered no opinion;

    K. whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 objections to placing GMOs on the market;

    L. whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

    M. whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee[12];

    N. whereas, on 2 July 2024, the Commission renewed the authorisation for the placing on the market of the GM maize;

    1. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;

    2. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council[13], to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market;

    3. Calls on the Commission to repeal Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828;

    4. Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs[14]; expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against;

    5. Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN CBD and the UN SDGs; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’[15];

    6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ICC calls for united action to end plastic pollution at NY Climate Week 

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: ICC calls for united action to end plastic pollution at NY Climate Week 

    In a keynote speech at a high-level roundtable hosted by ICC, Mr Varin emphasised ICC’s commitment in securing an ambitious, workable and effective agreement that rallies everyone, everywhere – including the business community – to end plastic pollution once and for all. 

    “We are confident that the spirit of collaboration and common purpose that brought the gavel down on the initial resolution in Nairobi, will prevail in advancing its mandate and delivering a historic agreement to spearhead the change the planet and humanity deserves.”

    Philippe Varin, ICC Chair.

    The event brought together leaders from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), government and regional group representatives as well as senior business executives from sectors across the plastics industry to discuss what is concretely needed to get an effective agreement finalised and how businesses can support these efforts. 

    A crucial role for business 

    Mr Varin highlighted the vital role business has to play in providing the expertise and the solutions that will be needed to tackle the plastics challenge at the required scale and speed across value chains.   

    “The global business community needs an agreement that provides the enabling frameworks and policies to drive innovation and accelerate business action across all sectors and geographies, including for MSMEs. This will be indispensable for businesses to effectively deliver on the objectives of the agreement and spur impactful change,” he added. 

    The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5), will take place from 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea. 

    “With only one negotiating session left this year to conclude an agreement, it will be critical to make the best use of the limited time left to advance towards a robust agreement that sets the foundation for a truly circular economy for plastics.”

    Raelene Martin, ICC Head of Sustainability

    Clear plans for intersessional work will be essential to build common ground on key issues and ICC is continuing to provide input to the process on behalf of over 45 million companies in more than 170 countries. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to meeting of G20 Foreign Ministers [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations – English

    gradeço ao Presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva e ao governo do Brasil por co-organizar esta reunião entre os ministros das Relações Exteriores do G20, todos os Estados Membros das Nações Unidas, e as organizações financeiras internacionais.

    [I thank President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the government of Brazil for co-convening this meeting between G20 foreign ministers, all UN Member States, and the international financial organizations.]

    This is a historic first.

    The G20, the United Nations system and the Bretton Woods institutions and other international financial institutions deal with some of the most important challenges of our time: inequality, financing for development, the climate crisis, the impact of new technologies. 

    In all these areas, progress is slipping out of reach as our world becomes more unsustainable, unequal and unpredictable.

    Conflicts are raging, the climate crisis is accelerating, inequalities are growing, and new technologies have unprecedented potential for good – and bad.

    Global institutions must work together – not on parallel or conflicting tracks.

    They must cooperate and collaborate for the good of humanity and the Summit of the Future was an essential first step.

    It has created opportunities and possibilities for reform across the board.

    But without implementation, it will be meaningless.

    The work starts today.

    Excellencies,

    The Pact for the Future is about action in the here and now.

    And G20 countries can act in three specific areas.

    First, finance.

    We need ambitious reforms of the international financial architecture to make it fully representative of today’s global economy, so it can provide strong support to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

    I commend the leadership of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund for making important progress.

    But the resources available are still dwarfed by the size of the needs.

    Many developing countries are being hit by a double whammy of climate chaos and debt.

    To support low- and middle-income developing countries effectively, multilateral development banks must be bigger, bolder and better.

    We need a far more robust financial safety net to shield countries in a world of frequent shocks.

    Voting rights and decision-making rules should reflect the changing global landscape.

    And access to concessional finance should be based on needs and vulnerabilities, not just on income.

    All parts of the global financial system must work together to reduce the cost of finance and the inequalities that blight our world.  

    This demands action on debt – starting with an effective mechanism to deal with debt relief and restructuring.

    As a first step, I welcome the commitment by the International Monetary Fund to review the debt architecture – as set out in the Pact for the Future. 
    I look to all G20 countries to push for deep reforms so that global financial institutions reflect today’s world and respond to today’s challenges.

    One of those challenges is global hunger.  It is shameful that in our world of plenty, around one person in ten regularly goes without food for an entire day or more – known as severe food insecurity.

    I welcome President Lula and Brazil’s focus on global hunger during the G20 presidency and call on all G20 countries – and all UN Member States – to strengthen efforts to end this affront to our common humanity.  

    Excellencies,

    The second area for action is climate.

    We are at a critical moment: a battle to prevent temperatures from rising above the agreed limit of 1.5 degrees.  

    Today’s decisions and actions will determine the course of our world for decades to come.

    The climate crisis transcends borders and politics.  Climate action cannot be a victim of geopolitical competition.

    Under G20 leadership we will be able to have drastic reductions in fossil fuel production and consumption as an essential element for climate action.

    By 2030, global production and consumption of all fossil fuels must decline by at least thirty per cent – and global renewables capacity must triple.

    This requires OECD countries to phase out coal by 2030 and to fully decarbonize power generation systems by 2035.

    And it means non-OECD countries must phase out coal by 2040. 

    I have been strongly advocating for no new coal or upstream oil and gas projects for all G20 nations.

    New national climate plans due next year are an opportunity for countries to align energy strategies and development priorities with climate ambition, taking into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

    They must also show how each country intends to transition away from fossil fuels, in line with the outcome at COP 28.

    Excellencies,

    There has never been a greater global challenge than the climate crisis.

    There has never been more agreement on the solution: a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

    And renewable technologies have never been better – or cheaper.

    The obstacle to the renewables revolution is not economics, or a lack of solutions.

    It is mindsets, and lack of vision.

    Those that lead the renewables revolution are already reaping the rewards.

    But many developing countries are being left behind.

    Clean energy investments in emerging and developing economies outside China and India have barely increased since 2015.

    The energy transition must be based on justice and equity, so that all countries benefit.

    Excellencies,

    Third, we need strong, inclusive, legitimate global institutions and tools to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. 

    Fair and representative governance is a first step to unlock broader reforms.

    The Pact for the Future includes commitments to make multilateral institutions more representative, effective, transparent and accountable.

    I urge the strong engagement of G20 countries, including in reforms of our United Nations bodies:

    Making the Security Council truly representative by addressing the under-representation of Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean;

    Strengthening the role of the General Assembly and the Peacebuilding Commission;

    And enhancing the Economic and Social Council.

    The same principle applies to the international financial architecture: it should correspond to today’s global economy, with much stronger representation of developing countries.   

    For our part, the United Nations is totally committed to strengthening our convening role as an inclusive platform for dialogue and action.

    As part of that role, from next year, we intend to host biennial summits to formalize a dialogue between the UN system, the G20, and international financial institutions.

    Excellencies,

    Only together will we achieve the reforms in the Pact for the Future and deliver the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, to meet the expectations of the people we serve.  

    I urge the G20 to seize every opportunity to raise ambition for global leadership and transformative action for a safer, more peaceful and sustainable world for all.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US election: why immigration remains a major issue for voters and why they trust Trump on border security

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eli Auslender, Research Fellow in Migration and Climate Change, Aberystwyth University

    US border policy remains a key electoral issue for Democrats and presidential nominee Kamala Harris as she approaches the November election.

    According to a recent Gallup poll, 77% of Americans believe the southern border is experiencing either an ongoing crisis or is a major problem. Meanwhile 55% wish to see less overall immigration, 53% support expansion of the border wall and 63% would support the president temporarily closing the border to asylum seekers when the border is “overwhelmed”.

    The issue is an important one in border states, especially in those such as Arizona, where polls show an incredibly tight race.
    Those who rate immigration as a top issue favour Donald Trump over Harris, and in one new poll voters say that Trump will be far more successful than Harris at securing the border.

    Joe Biden’s initial border policies continued some entry restrictions brought in by Trump’s administration, which had restricted border entry during the heights of the pandemic. But Biden also opened new pathways for legal migration. This included expanding temporary protected status, which expedites work permits for specific populations fleeing violence or disasters from countries such as Haiti or Ukraine.

    Biden’s congressional border bill failed to get through the Senate in June. In it, he aimed to speed up the asylum process, revoke visas of the bosses of companies that work with illegal immigrants, and add executive authority to shut border access.

    Harris has confirmed that she wants to resurrect the Biden administration’s border bill despite criticism from advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union. It argues that it would cut off any access to asylum protections for the vast majority of people arriving at the US-Mexico border, and disregard human safety.

    Democratic shift?

    So how and why did Democrats shift their border policies so drastically when they had been openly against Trump’s border restrictions during his presidency – and what does this mean for potential border policies under a Harris administration?

    Over the past decade, people from Central and South America have been fleeing for a variety of reasons, including the recent chaos in Haiti, the effect of harsh economic conditions in Venezuela and organised crime. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that the number of forcibly displaced people in the region is expected to reach 25 million.

    Along with this, the US southern border has been inaccurately framed as the primary means through which fentanyl has entered the country and caused the opioid crisis. These two factors have linked asylum-seekers with fentanyl despite US citizens being the main smugglers of fentanyl into the country.

    The Biden administration attempted to address some of these issues by appointing Harris, at the beginning of its term, to explore the “root causes” of migration from Central America. This included directing private sector investments towards countries from where large numbers of asylum seekers were fleeing. Research suggests that this does little to address organised crime or governance issues.



    Read more:
    No, immigrants aren’t eating dogs and cats – but Trump’s claim is part of an ugly history of myths about immigrant foodways

    Immigration was under discussion in the recent presidential debate.

    Customs and Border Protection reported in June that 2024 saw the fewest border crossings since 2021. The Harris campaign has seized on this to claim the Biden administration’s approach has been the correct one. A closer looks, however, suggests there are many different factors.

    US Customs and Border Protection has increasingly restricted access to asylum as per the executive order, delaying those who can cross the border and need to claim asylum immediately. Mexico (among other states in Central America) has restricted northward movement towards the US border, including bussing people back to the south of the country.

    Meanwhile, asylum-seeker deaths at crossing points within Central America and after crossing the US border have increased from 149 discovered remains in 2023 to 164 by August 2024. This would suggest that the root causes remain the same.

    Asylum, border security, crime, and the opioid epidemic have been tangled into a single issue. National security and immigration are constantly linked. And this has led to the Harris campaign’s recent advertisements emphasising her “tough stances” on border crime.

    This is in contrast to her criticism of Trump in 2018, when she called his border wall policy “un-American”. Despite past Democratic criticism of Trump’s harsh border restrictions, restrictive border policies have come from both parties.

    Both parties claim that stronger enforcement and more rigorous vetting of asylum-seekers is needed, as well as expedited deportations and “safe third country” deportations. These positions still conflate asylum-seekers with criminals. Immigrant advocates have noted that the US’ asylum system is already one of the most complex in the world. Asylum cases often take years to decide.

    The “remain in Mexico” policy, which forced asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their asylum applications were considered, was implemented by the Trump administration during the pandemic and maintained by the Biden administration. Advocacy group Human Rights Watch argued that it endangered countless asylum seekers, putting men, women and children at risk of violence or death, while they waited for their cases to be heard.

    Seeking asylum is both a national and international right. The first potential policy priority to ease the border pressure should be to simplify the asylum process and reduce the time it takes to resolve a case from several years to several months. Fortifying the border puts vulnerable lives at risk, regardless of which party proposes it. Shutting down the border would only put more lives at risk.

    If the Harris campaign is serious about border policy reform, it must first look to ease and expedite asylum access instead of restricting it.

    Eli Auslender does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. US election: why immigration remains a major issue for voters and why they trust Trump on border security – https://theconversation.com/us-election-why-immigration-remains-a-major-issue-for-voters-and-why-they-trust-trump-on-border-security-238263

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Torrential rain represents an opportunity to build a better society

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Maryam Imani, Associate Professor of Water Systems Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University

    A month’s worth of rain has poured down in just a few hours in parts of central and southern England. More than 300 flood-related emergency calls were made, major roads were submerged, trains were delayed, and an enormous sinkhole opened up on a football pitch in south London.

    This follows similar torrential rain across central and eastern Europe two weeks ago, which led to flash floods and widespread damage and deaths. As climate change alters rain patterns and makes extreme downpours more common, and more extreme, such flooding is increasingly the new normal.

    Intense rain doesn’t lead to serious floods every time, of course. Sometimes we get lucky: a well-timed low tide might help, or a rainstorm could be surprisingly localised in a place where water can easily flow into the sea, a river or a pond. And some of the actions taken by humans to minimise the risk of catastrophic floods can actually make life more pleasant anyway, even when it isn’t raining. For this reason, we should see rains like this not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity.

    Minimising the risk of disaster

    There are various things we can do to minimise flood risks before and after torrential rains and prevent smaller floods from escalating into disasters.

    We can build bigger and better drainage and stormwater infrastructure, for instance, and make sure drains are unblocked and flood walls are properly maintained. This is an example of so-called “hard” flood defences.

    Features like ponds and wetlands, larger parks, or trees on hillsides, help slow down or store rainwater and can ensure the flow is spread out over days or even weeks. Water flows much faster over bare ground, and especially over concrete roads and buildings, where urban drainage systems can soon be overwhelmed – causing floods. These features are known variously as “nature-based solutions” or “sustainable drainage systems” or “blue-green infrastructure”.

    We can also use smart technologies for flood warning systems and we can ensure people are aware and prepared. We can ensure people don’t live in flood-prone areas in the first place, through climate-resilient planning, and that those who do live there are insured and have flood-proofed their homes as best they can.

    More sustainable flood management

    In the UK, several exemplary projects address flood management. The most iconic is the Thames Barrier in London, which protects the city from storm surges and high tides coming from the North Sea. Another is the the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, which protects over 3,000 properties and 500 businesses in the UK’s fourth-largest urban area. It involves a combination of hard defences – weirs, flood walls – and natural solutions like planting trees and constructing water storage areas.

    The National Storm Overflows Plan for England report is being reviewed by the UK government for approval by December 2024. One of its recommendations is to make sustainable drainage systems mandatory.

    A government scheme (Flood Re) also ensures homeowners in flood-risk areas can protect their homes and obtain affordable insurance. And various rivers have been allowed to “wiggle” once again, by flooding over nearby fields. This has proven effective at reducing peak flows during storms, which is especially beneficial downstream where people live and where rivers are often encased in human-made banks.

    The River Derwent flows through the Lake District of northern England.
    RnDmS / shutterstock

    These initiatives are part of a broader trend toward more sustainable flood management practices. Key projects such as the “slowing the flow” project in Pickering, Yorkshire or projects along the River Derwent in Cumbria focus on reconnecting rivers with their floodplains.

    Worldwide lessons

    The Netherlands is one of the world leaders in flood management. The Delta Works, a massive system of dams, sluices, locks, dikes and storm-surge barriers, protects the country, much of which is below sea level, from flooding due to rainfall and rising sea levels.

    The Room for the River programme, started in 2007, manages higher water levels in rivers by lowering flood plains, creating water buffers, relocating levees, increasing the depth of side channels, and constructing flood bypasses. Urban adaptations, such as those in Rotterdam, are also crucial for managing flash flooding.

    Japan, particularly in flood-prone areas like Tokyo, has built massive underground flood tunnels to divert rainwater during storms. This system helps protect the city from excessive rainfall and typhoons. In many European countries, sustainable drainage systems are now integrated into urban planning. This helps absorb excess rainwater during storms, while offering ecological and social benefits too (grass and ponds are ultimately a lot nicer than bare concrete).

    It’s crucial to be aware of the problem of intense rain and view it as a chance to improve society. Prolonged droughts highlight the need to focus on storing and using excess water during high-demand times, which can be done by creating wetlands, storing floodwaters or by enabling the soil to store and retain more moisture.

    Engineers can’t do all this by themselves. Neither can tree-planters or wetland creators. We need a hybrid approach combining engineering solutions with nature and community efforts.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Maryam Imani is a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a STEM programme ambassador.

    – ref. Torrential rain represents an opportunity to build a better society – https://theconversation.com/torrential-rain-represents-an-opportunity-to-build-a-better-society-239755

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon is ready to keep customers connected ahead of Hurricane Helene

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon is ready to keep customers connected ahead of Hurricane Helene

    ALPHARETTA, GA – As potential Hurricane Helene approaches the Florida coast, Verizon remains committed to keeping communities and first responders connected. Verizon’s Response Team has prepared year-round to respond to extreme weather situations, like hurricanes, by taking part in emergency drills, fortifying the network infrastructure, and ensuring resources are mobilized for rapid response.

    “Verizon is committed to keeping communities connected. From consumers, to businesses, to first responders, Verizon offers the dependable service they need to face Hurricane Helene and the days to come,” said Atlantic South Market President, Leigh Anne Lanier. “Our dedicated team is working around the clock to ensure our customers stay informed, stay in touch with loved ones, and access critical services when they need them most.”

    Verizon’s networks are primed

    Verizon’s networks are primed to maintain connectivity even in the face of extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes. With redundancy built into critical paths and components, Verizon’s network is engineered to withstand severe weather. Verizon engineers have prepared by conducting thorough checks, as well as ensuring backup systems, like batteries and generators, are operational and refueled.

    In preparation for potential network recovery operations, Verizon has bolstered its arsenal with:

    • A fleet of over 550 portable network assets, including generator-powered cell sites, drones, and a fixed-wing aircraft for aerial support.
    • An industry-leading nearly 300 satellite-based portable network assets, providing crucial connectivity in scenarios where fiber connections are compromised.
    • More than 1,000 mobile generators to assist communities in maintaining or restoring connectivity, and rapid recovery efforts.

    Verizon Frontline stands at the ready, prepared to assist first responders in any capacity needed

    The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team stands ready to help ensure that public safety agencies on the front line of any potential disaster have the mission-critical communications capabilities needed to achieve their missions. This team, composed primarily of former first responders and military personnel, is solely dedicated to supporting public safety customers during emergencies at no cost to the supported agencies.

    In the first nine months of 2024, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team has responded to more than 1,000 requests for mission-critical communications support from more than 500 different agencies in 46 states.

    Being prepared is essential to support local businesses and communities

    Recognizing the critical role of connectivity in business continuity, Verizon Business provides a suite of solutions tailored for seamless operations during emergencies. Businesses and government organizations need the right game plan. Suggested actions include:

    • Mitigate customer disruption: Think about what you need to ensure continuous service to your customers, and what software and equipment your business needs to continue operations. Make a detailed list, including service contracts and warranty information, and all pertinent phone numbers for local authorities, utility companies, suppliers, and vendors.
    • The right tech makes an impact: Ensure you have the right technology to support your business connectivity needs assuming you might need to move away from your primary location.
    • Contacts and documents are key: Make sure you have contact information updated and readily available for all employees, including at-home information for remote workers and branch information for satellite offices.
    • Test, test, and test again: Stress-test primary and backup networks and shore up any weak areas.
    • Keep track of equipment: Ensure employees working from home have documented all corporate equipment being used to work from home in case of damage or loss.
    • Have a backup plan: Ensure backup plans are in place to shift work in case work-from-home employees in a storm-impacted area have to evacuate their homes or their home loses commercial power.

    Are you hurricane ready?

    Verizon’s team works year-round to ensure customers remain connected to their loved ones and the activities that provide comfort during a disaster. As residents prepare to stay connected and entertained, consider these tips:

    • Stock Up on power supplies like batteries for flashlights and radios or device chargers. Take it a step further by charging your devices that can act as chargers for other devices like laptops and party box speakers. Don’t forget to ensure you have the cables!
    • Download Movies, Books, Apps and Games or gather board games, card games and puzzles to go device-free.
    • Locate materials for hobbies like knitting or drawing, and get creative.
    • Plan activities like cooking easy-to-make meals and even no-bake treats. Keep a few non-perishable ingredients, a manual can opener and other kitchen tools on hand.
    • Grab some candles, blankets, pillows or anything that makes your space cozy.
    • Read up on the American Red Cross’ hurricane preparedness tips.

    **Editor’s Note: To access images and b-roll of past storms, Verizon equipment, recovery efforts and more, please visit Verizon’s Emergency Resource Hub at https://www.verizon.com/about/news/emergency-resource-center

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten, Brownley Propose Voluntary Carbon Footprint Label for Food

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    September 25, 2024

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced the Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act, legislation to revolutionize the way consumers learn about the climate impact of the food they purchase.

    Under the legislation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will work with food producers, manufacturers, and retailers to develop a voluntary food climate label to place on products that will contain EPA-verified information relating to the carbon footprint of that product.

    “A growing number of consumers are eager to know the climate impacts of the items they purchase,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act provides them with the information they need to make climate-conscious decisions–if they so choose–with their hard-earned money, empowering them to take control of their own carbon footprint.”

    “The food and agriculture sector currently contributes an estimated 10 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “While a majority of U.S. consumers say that sustainability is important to them when purchasing food, research shows that consumers struggle to identify which products are the most sustainable. This food climate label would help consumers more easily identify sustainable foods and food production, creating a simple and effective solution to address one of the significant causes of greenhouse gas emissions. Creating this label will be a real win-win for the agriculture sector, consumers, and our environment.”

    The label will include information on the greenhouse gas emissions released during the production, manufacturing, distribution, consumer use, end-of-life reuse, and recycling of a food product. This will help food producers, manufacturers, and retailers showcase the work they’ve done to reduce their carbon footprint, while empowering consumers with more information to shop more sustainably.

    Text of the legislation can be found here.

    How it Works:

    • The legislation would establish the Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in implementing the program.
    • Entities selling food products will be allowed, but not mandated, to apply to the Program to put a food climate label on the packaging of their food product.
    • The label will:
    • Provide a numerical summary of the best available information regarding the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released during the growing of the food ingredients, manufacturing, processing, packaging, distribution, storage, presentation in the retail establishment, consumer use (including the energy involved in refrigeration and cooking), end-of-life reuse, recycling, composting, treatment, and disposal of the food and its packaging.
    • Of the above information, the food producer, manufacturer, or retailer will provide the “cradle-to-gate” information, from the growing of the food to its arrival at the retail establishment. Because the rest of the food lifecycle – including how it is stored, prepared, and disposed of – is beyond the control of these businesses, EPA will provide the information on the rest, based on the typical use case, in consultation with the producer, manufacturer, or retailer.
    • In addition, the label will:
    1. Convey the information in a manner determined to be most useful to the consumer at the point of sale;
    1. Not convey that any given food is acceptable or unacceptable – that kind of decision being left to the consumer, presumably as informed by the factual information conveyed through the label;
    1. Convey that the information has been verified by EPA;
    1. Include a logo to help the consumer identify the label;
    1. Include a QR code to provide the consumer access to the above-described in-depth information.
    1. In specifying the visual form, the information to be included, and the method for verification, the EPA shall consult with food industry stakeholders, and may do so through the establishment of a federal advisory committee or a negotiated rulemaking.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: This is how we can minimise the impact of heavy rain

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Published: 25 September 2024 at 16:00

    VIEWPOINT: ARU expert explains how to reduce flood risks – and build a better society

    By Maryam Imani, Anglia Ruskin University

    A month’s worth of rain has poured down in just a few hours in parts of central and southern England. More than 300 flood-related emergency calls were made, major roads were submerged, trains were delayed, and an enormous sinkhole opened up on a football pitch in south London.

    This follows similar torrential rain across central and eastern Europe two weeks ago, which led to flash floods and widespread damage and deaths. As climate change alters rain patterns and makes extreme downpours more common, and more extreme, such flooding is increasingly the new normal.

    Intense rain doesn’t lead to serious floods every time, of course. Sometimes we get lucky: a well-timed low tide might help, or a rainstorm could be surprisingly localised in a place where water can easily flow into the sea, a river or a pond. And some of the actions taken by humans to minimise the risk of catastrophic floods can actually make life more pleasant anyway, even when it isn’t raining. For this reason, we should see rains like this not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity.

    Minimising the risk of disaster

    There are various things we can do to minimise flood risks before and after torrential rains and prevent smaller floods from escalating into disasters.

    We can build bigger and better drainage and stormwater infrastructure, for instance, and make sure drains are unblocked and flood walls are properly maintained. This is an example of so-called “hard” flood defences.

    Features like ponds and wetlands, larger parks, or trees on hillsides, help slow down or store rainwater and can ensure the flow is spread out over days or even weeks. Water flows much faster over bare ground, and especially over concrete roads and buildings, where urban drainage systems can soon be overwhelmed – causing floods. These features are known variously as “nature-based solutions” or “sustainable drainage systems” or “blue-green infrastructure”.

    We can also use smart technologies for flood warning systems and we can ensure people are aware and prepared. We can ensure people don’t live in flood-prone areas in the first place, through climate-resilient planning, and that those who do live there are insured and have flood-proofed their homes as best they can.

    More sustainable flood management

    In the UK, several exemplary projects address flood management. The most iconic is the Thames Barrier in London, which protects the city from storm surges and high tides coming from the North Sea. Another is the the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, which protects over 3,000 properties and 500 businesses in the UK’s fourth-largest urban area. It involves a combination of hard defences – weirs, flood walls – and natural solutions like planting trees and constructing water storage areas.

    The National Storm Overflows Plan for England report is being reviewed by the UK government for approval by December 2024. One of its recommendations is to make sustainable drainage systems mandatory.

    A government scheme (Flood Re) also ensures homeowners in flood-risk areas can protect their homes and obtain affordable insurance. And various rivers have been allowed to “wiggle” once again, by flooding over nearby fields. This has proven effective at reducing peak flows during storms, which is especially beneficial downstream where people live and where rivers are often encased in human-made banks.

    These initiatives are part of a broader trend toward more sustainable flood management practices. Key projects such as the “slowing the flow” project in Pickering, Yorkshire or projects along the River Derwent in Cumbria focus on reconnecting rivers with their floodplains.

    Worldwide lessons

    The Netherlands is one of the world leaders in flood management. The Delta Works, a massive system of dams, sluices, locks, dikes and storm-surge barriers, protects the country, much of which is below sea level, from flooding due to rainfall and rising sea levels.

    The Room for the River programme, started in 2007, manages higher water levels in rivers by lowering flood plains, creating water buffers, relocating levees, increasing the depth of side channels, and constructing flood bypasses. Urban adaptations, such as those in Rotterdam, are also crucial for managing flash flooding.

    Japan, particularly in flood-prone areas like Tokyo, has built massive underground flood tunnels to divert rainwater during storms. This system helps protect the city from excessive rainfall and typhoons. In many European countries, sustainable drainage systems are now integrated into urban planning. This helps absorb excess rainwater during storms, while offering ecological and social benefits too (grass and ponds are ultimately a lot nicer than bare concrete).

    It’s crucial to be aware of the problem of intense rain and view it as a chance to improve society. Prolonged droughts highlight the need to focus on storing and using excess water during high-demand times, which can be done by creating wetlands, storing floodwaters or by enabling the soil to store and retain more moisture.

    Engineers can’t do all this by themselves. Neither can tree-planters or wetland creators. We need a hybrid approach combining engineering solutions with nature and community efforts.

    Maryam Imani, Associate Professor of Water Systems Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Analysis Shows Irreversible Sea Level Rise for Pacific Islands

    Source: NASA

    Climate change is rapidly reshaping a region of the world that’s home to millions of people.
    In the next 30 years, Pacific Island nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji will experience at least 8 inches (15 centimeters) of sea level rise, according to an analysis by NASA’s sea level change science team. This amount of rise will occur regardless of whether greenhouse gas emissions change in the coming years.
    The sea level change team undertook the analysis of this region at the request of several Pacific Island nations, including Tuvalu and Kiribati, and in close coordination with the U.S. Department of State.
    In addition to the overall analysis, the agency’s sea level team produced high-resolution maps showing which areas of different Pacific Island nations will be vulnerable to high-tide flooding — otherwise known as nuisance flooding or sunny day flooding — by the 2050s. Released on Sept. 23, the maps outline flooding potential in a range of emissions scenarios, from best-case to business-as-usual to worst-case.
    “Sea level will continue to rise for centuries, causing more frequent flooding,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, who directs ocean physics programs for NASA’s Earth Science Division. “NASA’s new flood tool tells you what the potential increase in flooding frequency and severity look like in the next decades for the coastal communities of the Pacific Island nations.”
    Team members, led by researchers at the University of Hawaii and in collaboration with scientists at the University of Colorado and Virginia Tech, started with flood maps of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Fiji, Nauru, and Niue. They plan to build high-resolution maps for other Pacific Island nations in the near future. The maps can assist Pacific Island nations in deciding where to focus mitigation efforts.
    “Science and data can help the community of Tuvalu in relaying accurate sea level rise projections,” said Grace Malie, a youth leader from Tuvalu who is involved with the Rising Nations Initiative, a United Nations-supported program led by Pacific Island nations to help preserve their statehood and protect the rights and heritage of populations affected by climate change. “This will also help with early warning systems, which is something that our country is focusing on at the moment.”
    Future Flooding
    The analysis by the sea level change team also found that the number of high-tide flooding days in an average year will increase by an order of magnitude for nearly all Pacific Island nations by the 2050s. Portions of the NASA team’s analysis were included in a sea level rise report published by the United Nations in August 2024.  
    Areas of Tuvalu that currently see less than five high-tide flood days a year could average 25 flood days annually by the 2050s. Regions of Kiribati that see fewer than five flood days a year today will experience an average of 65 flood days annually by the 2050s.
    “I am living the reality of climate change,” said Malie. “Everyone (in Tuvalu) lives by the coast or along the coastline, so everyone gets heavily affected by this.” 
    Flooding on island nations can come from the ocean inundating land during storms or during exceptionally high tides, called king tides. But it can also result when saltwater intrudes into underground areas and pushes the water table to the surface. “There are points on the island where we will see seawater bubbling from beneath the surface and heavily flooding the area,” Malie added.
    Matter of Location
    Sea level rise doesn’t occur uniformly around the world. A combination of global and local conditions, such as the topography of a coastline and how glacial meltwater is distributed in the ocean, affects the amount of rise a particular region will experience.
    “We’re always focused on the differences in sea level rise from one region to another, but in the Pacific, the numbers are surprisingly consistent,” said Ben Hamlington, a sea level researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the agency’s sea level change science team lead.
    The impacts of 8 inches (15 centimeters) of sea level rise will vary from country to country. For instance, some nations could experience nuisance flooding several times a year at their airport, while others might face frequent neighborhood flooding equivalent to being inundated for nearly half the year.
    Researchers would like to combine satellite data on ocean levels with ground-based measurements of sea levels at specific points, as well as with better land elevation information. “But there’s a real lack of on-the-ground data in these countries,” said Hamlington. The combination of space-based and ground-based measurements can yield more precise sea level rise projections and improved understanding of the impacts to countries in the Pacific.  
    “The future of the young people of Tuvalu is already at stake,” said Malie. “Climate change is more than an environmental crisis. It is about justice, survival for nations like Tuvalu, and global responsibility.”
    To explore the high-tide flooding maps for Pacific Island nations, go to:
    https://sealevel.nasa.gov
    News Media Contacts
    Jane J. Lee / Andrew WangJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-354-0307 / 626-379-6874jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov / andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov
    2024-128

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Bean Supports Florida’s Request for Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean and members of the Florida Delegation sent a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden, ahead of Tropical Storm Helene, urging approval of the State of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for 61 counties. 

    Tropical Storm Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida as a category 3 hurricane later this week. The National Weather Service is anticipating the system will bring high winds, heavy rainfall, life-threatening storm surges, as well as a strong potential for isolated tornado activity across the state.

    “Floridians are no strangers to hurricanes, but our communities need federal assistance to quickly bounce back,” said Congressman Bean. “With Helene bringing potentially devastating levels of rainfall and strong winds, this emergency declaration will provide critical resources necessary to ensure the safety of Floridians.”

    Read the full text of the letter here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grants Support Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleets

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $5.5 million available in grants for municipalities to support the installation of electric vehicle chargers, including hydrogen fuel filling station components and Level 2 and direct current fast chargers, as part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Grants program. These projects support New York’s ongoing efforts to advance clean transportation and help the State achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

    “New York is committed to advancing and energizing the transition to a cleaner, healthier, and more efficient transportation future,” Governor Hochul said. “Our sustained investments in electric vehicle infrastructure across the State will help encourage more drivers to make the switch to EVs, promote greener alternatives for transportation, and combat climate change.”

    The 2024 round of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure program opened on Sept. 25 with $5.5 million available. Additional information can be found in the request for applications (RFA) document. The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2025.

    The program includes a variable local match requirement based on the municipality’s median household income (MHI) and whether the ZEV infrastructure is located in a disadvantaged community, based on the disadvantaged communities criteria developed by the Climate Justice Working Group.

    Eligible expenses incurred between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 20, 2026, are eligible for reimbursement.

    Applications are available through the Consolidated Funding Application under the title “2024 Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grants.”

    To be eligible for an award, applicants must be registered in the NYS Statewide Financial System Grant Management System (SFS GM). Information regarding registration in SFS GM can be found on the Grants Management website. More information about the DEC Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grant program, as well as the DEC Municipal ZEV Rebate program, is available on DEC’s website. For questions about the Municipal ZEV program, email [email protected] or call DEC’s Office of Climate Change at 518-402-8448.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “With Governor Hochul’s sustained commitment to ensuring a cleaner, greener future, New York continues to be a leader advancing the State’s transition to clean transportation to help achieve our climate targets. The Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grant program makes it even easier, more accessible, and more affordable to make the switch to greener vehicles and is expanding New York’s EV charging station network. DEC looks forward to continuing to support municipalities statewide that are taking climate action, investing in electric transportation, and helping facilitate the clean energy economy of the future.”

    State Senator Peter Harckham said, “Our transportation sector is a major source of climate and air pollution in New York. The DEC’s Municipal Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure grants program will accelerate the transition to an emissions free future, where we all can breathe easier. This is a good example of how the state and local governments, working together, can create a cleaner, greener New York.”

    Assemblymember Deborah Glick said, “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by shifting to vehicles that do not rely on fossil fuels is essential for New York to achieve our climate goals. One major obstacle to the public’s adoption of electric vehicles is the lack of publicly available charging stations. Making it easier for municipalities to step up and expand this critical piece of the green infrastructure puzzle is welcome news. Thank you to Governor Hochul for this important $5.5 million investment in NYDEC’s Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Grants program to help expand this green infrastructure throughout New York, helping us to further achieve our climate goals.”

    New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan

    New York State’s climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that a minimum of 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts – including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path toward a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with more than 420 registered and more than 150 certified Climate Smart Communities, over 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio Introduces Bill Requesting U.S. Sanctions on Fentanyl Precursors and Manufacturers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Rubio: Family, Community, and Faith Are the Fiber of our Nation

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Photo courtesy of the National Religious Broadcasters association. On September 19, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) spoke to the National Religious Broadcasters association on the importance of faith-based messaging. “The most important thing the government can do is…

    read more

    Rubio, Colleagues to Biden-Harris Officials: Individuals Tied to Cuban Regime Are Not Welcome

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Under U.S. law, any individual who has been, or is affiliated with a Communist Party is deemed inadmissible for entry into our nation. However, under the Biden-Harris Administration’s mass immigration program, it’s been reported that individuals tied to the…

    read more

    Rubio, Scott Introduce Bill to Punish Colleges That Allow Antisemitism

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel, cases of antisemitic harassment have increased more than 500 percent at college campuses across the United States. Yet, many Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) have failed to prevent or stop antisemitism…

    read more

    Rubio Applauds House Passage of USCIRF

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, is a bipartisan commission that monitors and reports on international religious freedom. The commission’s authorization is currently…

    read more

    Rubio, Scott Support Florida Request for Pre-landfall Emergency Declaration

    Sep 23, 2024 | Press Releases

    Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, soon to be Hurricane Helene, is expected to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane later this week. The storm will bring strong winds, heavy rain, severe storm surge, flooding, and hazardous seas to Florida’s impacted areas….

    read more

    ICYMI: Rubio, Clement Present Plan to Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses

    Sep 23, 2024 | Press Releases

    Congress Can Protect Jews on College Campuses U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Paul Clement September 23, 2024 Wall Street Journal The ancient poison of antisemitism has infected American higher education…. Campus antisemitism isn’t restricted to…widely publicized…

    read more

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Helene

    Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Helene
    mseets

    Today, Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene as North Carolina prepares for severe weather impacts that could threaten life and property across North Carolina through Saturday morning.

    Helene is forecast to cause significant impacts including flash flooding, numerous landslides, damaging debris flows, slope failures across steep terrain, and riverine flooding across portions of western North Carolina and portions of central North Carolina. Flooding may occur in areas that do not typically flood. All North Carolinians should be weather aware and prepared. Tropical storm force winds are possible across western North Carolina late Thursday into Friday. With already saturated soils, trees could fall causing widespread power outages. There is a potential for tornadoes with this storm system. Tornadoes from tropical systems can quickly spin up with little warning.

    “Helene threatens heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont areas of our state,” said Governor Cooper. “Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare, make sure emergency kits are up-to-date and pay attention to the weather alerts in your area.”

    The State Emergency Response Team is deploying equipment, personnel, and resources to support impacted communities, including, North Carolina Swift Water Rescue Teams and Urban Search and Rescue Teams, resources from the North Carolina National Guard, and specialized personnel for communications and incident management support.

    North Carolina residents are advised to stay aware and keep a watch on the forecast. State officials advise these tips to make sure your family is personally prepared:

    • Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and monitor local new outlets and the National Weather Service.
    • Ensure that you have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially with the potential for severe storms to be moving through during nighttime hours.
    • Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate, especially if you live in a flood prone area.
    • Gather emergency supplies or refresh your emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
    • Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Turn around. Don’t drown.
    • Make sure you know where to seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued for your area.
    • Check to see if your local emergency management office offers emergency alert services for its residents. You can visit your county government website for more information.
    • Avoid unnecessary travel. If you do not need to drive, stay home. You can find current roadway conditions by visiting DriveNC.Gov.

    The State of Emergency facilitates state emergency operations and allows for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to take action to ensure the quick movement of utility vehicles to eliminate power outages, vehicles carrying essential supplies such as food, medicine and fuel or transporting livestock, poultry and crops.

    Read the State of Emergency.

    ###

    Sep 25, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nature is adapting to climate change – why aren’t we?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition

    Humanity may be no better prepared for the impacts of climate change today than in the 1970s.

    So says a new study led by Stanford University researchers that compared how sensitive societies are to extreme weather now versus 50 years ago. This research has yet to be peer-reviewed, and its conclusions run counter to what many climate policy experts have long assumed. If they are accurate, it means that additional wealth, technology and climate-savvy have not meaningfully enhanced our protection as the weather has become more hostile.


    This roundup of The Conversation’s climate coverage comes from our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed.

    Earth’s atmosphere has warmed and contains more moisture as a result of fossil fuel burning. Europeans reeling from Storm Boris can testify to the failure of even wealthy countries to adapt to this reality says Chris Medland, a PhD candidate in climate change resilience at the University of Surrey.



    Read more:
    Who’s to blame when climate change turns the lights off?

    Eventually, everyone will feel this deficit.

    “Your home may not be in the path of the next storm but the infrastructure it relies on might be,” Medland says.

    Flood defences, power lines, rail networks – all of these things and more need to be built or upgraded to withstand mounting storms. Yet in the recently flooded UK, the companies that run utilities are not expressly obliged to ensure their networks remain resilient to climate change, Medland says. Nor is it clear who is ultimately responsible for keeping the lights on as the crisis intensifies.

    Invaders must die?

    If the accounts of biologists are anything to go by, the natural world is adapting to the effects of climate change far more radically than any human institution.

    “Faced with the degradation of their habitat, the species that will survive will be those that are able to adapt,” says Suzanne Bonamour, a postdoctoral researcher in ecology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

    Bonamour studies an endangered seabird, the crested cormorant, and its struggles to feed itself and its brood amid stormier seas. These birds can migrate to escape a winter squall, but only some do.



    Read more:
    How cormorants are rethinking their migration routes in the face of climate change

    Bonamour wonders whether adult birds might transmit this behaviour to their chicks, but she says that there is little that species can do to compensate for the catastrophe humans are engineering.

    Adjusting to a rapidly changing climate is a very tall order.
    LABETAA Andre/Shutterstock

    When plants and animals seeking cooler climes settle on new shores, they usually get a hostile reception. Attempting to root out these migrants is generally a mistake according to Heather Kharouba, an ecologist at the University of Ottawa.

    “Stated plainly, the vast majority of intentionally or unintentionally introduced species are not a threat to native ecosystems,” she says.



    Read more:
    Climate change means we may have to learn to live with invasive species

    Some arrivals do cause problems. In North America, “invasive species” include the emerald ash borer, an insect from north-eastern Asia that damages ash trees. But most control measures are laborious and expensive failures, Kharouba says. Some are even harmful, like using herbicides that afflict the native and non-native alike.

    Kharouba cites numerous examples of introduced species enriching their new homes. More generally, there is a trade-off: forests in the eastern US that are turning gold with autumn’s onset now harbour fewer species, but they store more carbon.

    “All this means that introduced plants could be well placed to support, or even buffer, current ecosystems as they undergo transitions due to climate change,” Kharouba says.

    Nature offers stark evidence that the world is changing rapidly. What if we embraced it?

    ‘Not just a challenge’

    Climate activists have typically shied away from discussing “climate adaptation” for fear of sounding defeatist says Joost de Moor, an assistant professor of political science at Sciences Po. There is cause to remain laser-focused on cutting emissions, he adds, but no excuse to neglect the question entirely.

    If change is inevitable, what sort of world do we want to emerge from the climate crisis? In March 2023, protesters in western France seized the initiative when they opposed the construction of a 628,000 sq metre reservoir in the rural Sainte-Soline commune, de Moor says.



    Read more:
    How climate activists finally seized the issue of adaptation in 2023

    France had suffered a historic drought, and so a huge artificial water reserve might have seemed prudent. Not if it involved draining a common resource, the water table, to serve a few farmers whose methods of agriculture already placed an untenable strain on struggling ecosystems, protesters argued.

    The campaign sparked a vital debate about whose needs ought to be prioritised in a future with greater hardship says Lucien Thabourey, a sociologist of environmental activism at Sciences Po. Fortunately, there is also a conversation to be had about the ways in which everyone might live better.



    Read more:
    Sainte-Soline : un tournant pour les mouvements écologistes ?

    “Some of the actions taken by humans to minimise the risk of catastrophic floods can actually make life more pleasant anyway, even when it isn’t raining,” says Maryam Imani, an associate professor of water systems engineering at Anglia Ruskin University.



    Read more:
    Torrential rain represents an opportunity to build a better society

    “For this reason, we should see rains like this not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity.”

    – ref. Nature is adapting to climate change – why aren’t we? – https://theconversation.com/nature-is-adapting-to-climate-change-why-arent-we-239750

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness Efforts Ahead of Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of Florida

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie in Tampa to meet with power and utility linemen staged and ready to respond to power outages caused by Hurricane Helene, and to provide updates on state preparedness efforts before the storm’s landfall.

    Following Governor DeSantis’ request, FEMA approved the state’s pre-landfall disaster declaration request. This will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government, including personnel, equipment and supplies, as well as making available funding sources for emergency protective measures. The pre-landfall declaration request is for the 41 Florida counties included in Executive Order 24-208.

    Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 on September 24, updating EO 24-208 and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties, which allows for state officials to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts.

    Voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders are in effect in multiple counties statewide. Residents need to evacuate as soon as possible if they are under a mandatory evacuation order. Counties under evacuation orders can be found at FloridaDisaster.org/EvacuationOrders.

    Residents in need of assistance finding or going to a shelter in the Big Bend region for Hurricane Helene can call (800) 729-3413. FDEM team members will be conducting callbacks from messages received last night, as well as accepting new calls today, to facilitate shelter coordination. For additional resources and assistance, residents can call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at (800) 342-3557. Assistance is available in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole.

    As of 11AM ET, the storm has strengthened into Hurricane Helene, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Helene is expected to move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and to the Florida Big Bend coast by Thursday evening. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches landfall.

    Watches and warnings in effect include

    Hurricane Warning: western Alachua, coastal Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, coastal Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, western Marion, coastal Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties

    Hurricane Watch: inland Citrus, inland Hernando, coastal Hillsborough, coastal Manatee, inland Pasco, Pinellas, coastal Sarasota

    Tropical Storm Warning: central and eastern Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, inland Citrus, Clay, Collier,  DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, inland Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe (including Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas), Manatee, central and eastern Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, inland Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Walton, Washington

    Storm Surge Warning: along the entire Florida Big Bend and West Coast through Southwest Florida

    Storm Surge Watch: Coastal Bay and Gulf counties along Mexico Beach to Indian Pass

    Floridians are encouraged to know their risks from hurricane hazards and prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Helene. To learn more, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide.

    Counties have begun their preparation efforts including measures like sandbag stations. For updates on county resources available visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.

    State Preparedness Efforts

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS deploys wave sensors along Florida’s coast ahead of Hurricane Helene

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Potential impacts from Helene include danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend, as well as devastating hurricane-force winds across portions of northern Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.

    The sensors will measure water levels and give insight on factors such as wave height and frequency, storm tide and storm surge. The sensors will be in place from before Helene arrives until the storm departs, and at that time, scientists will retrieve the instruments and analyze collected data.

    The resulting information can be used to fine-tune future storm surge and coastal change forecasts. The sensor data can help identify areas hit the hardest by storm surge and guide emergency responders and local officials with recovery efforts. Insight can also help inform flood insurance maps and building codes to improve structural designs for public safety.

    “Studying Helene and other storms gives real-world insight that’s valuable in helping with community preparedness,” said Kevin Grimsley, who is part of this deployment effort and the associate center director for data with the USGS Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center. “Wave sensors capture data at a very high frequency, so we are able to receive extremely detailed and comprehensive records.”

    The wave sensors are housed in vented aluminum pipes a few inches wide and about a foot long. They are being installed on bridges, piers, and other structures that have a good chance of surviving the storm. 

    Information on the sensor deployment and the incoming data will be available on the USGS Flood Event Viewer.

    As the USGS continues to take all appropriate preparedness actions in response to Helene, those ­­­in the storm’s projected path can visit ready.gov or listo.gov for tips on creating emergency plans and putting together an emergency supply kit.

    This photograph, taken during a previous storm, shows a USGS scientist installing a storm tide sensor on a bridge. Those sensors use the same metal housing that can hold USGS wave sensors. Credit: Jonathan Willis, USGS.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Makes Emergency Federal Assistance Available to Florida, FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Rush to Complete Preparation

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Biden-Harris Administration Makes Emergency Federal Assistance Available to Florida, FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Rush to Complete Preparation

    Biden-Harris Administration Makes Emergency Federal Assistance Available to Florida, FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Rush to Complete Preparation

    WASHINGTON — In advance of Hurricane Helene’s landfall in Florida, the Biden-Harris Administration approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Florida. This declaration enables FEMA to provide federal resources to the state for emergency protective measures and aid initial response and recovery efforts. FEMA urges people to take this storm seriously as it is expected to bring life-threating storm surge and hurricane conditions to Florida and the risk for dangerous flash and urban flooding to Alabama and Georgia. Now is the time for people to activate their hurricane plans and prepare for the storm’s effects. 

    The National Hurricane Center forecasts Helene is likely to bring heavy rain, life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and flash and urban flooding to affected areas starting Thursday. Due to the large size of this system, storm surge, wind and rainfall impacts will extend well away from the storm’s center. The storm will move quickly once it makes landfall and will likely result in strong winds and heavy rain over parts of the southeastern United States. Tornadoes may occur over parts of the western Florida peninsula and southern Alabama. The risk of tornadoes will increase on Thursday, expanding across Florida and into parts of Georgia and South Carolina.

    FEMA, its federal partners and partner organizations are actively coordinating response efforts across Florida. FEMA’s National and Regional Response Coordination Centers are activated to support state requests for assistance. Urban Search and Rescue teams, Health and Medical teams including medical support for patient evacuation and communication assets are prepared to respond as needed. FEMA has pre-positioned Incident Management Assistance Teams and commodities including water, meals, generators, and other critical items in regional distribution centers.

    FEMA is also closely coordinating with Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina and stands ready to provide support as needed.

    NOW is the time to finish preparations: Today is the day to prepare for this storm. Take action immediately to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your home. Finish gathering any supplies like food, water, medication, flashlights and food for your pets now. Include cash in your emergency kit, as ATMs may not work after the storm. You can find hurricane preparedness information on Ready.gov and Listo.gov in Spanish language. 

    Be in the know about your evacuation route. Several counties in Florida issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders. Visit Evacuation Orders | Florida Disaster to see the full list. People in Florida, Alabama and Georgia should be prepared to evacuate quickly if they are in the path of this storm and are told to do so. Act now by learning your evacuation routes and identify where you will stay. Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case you need to evacuate and that they are familiar with your family’s emergency plan. Learn more about how to evacuate safely on Ready.gov/evacuation and Evacuación | Listo.gov in Spanish language.  

    Have several ways to receive alerts. People in areas along Florida’s Panhandle, west coast and into Alabama and Georgia should follow the forecast carefully and instructions of state and local officials by monitoring local radio or television stations for updated emergency information. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which require no sign up. You can also download the free FEMA App available in English and Spanish to receive real-time weather alerts and find local emergency shelters in your area. 

    Listen to officials. Stay off the roads if told to do so. Evacuate if told to do so. If you did not evacuate, find a safe location to ride out the storm, such as a designated storm shelter or interior room for high winds. Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Avoid enclosed areas, such as an attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water. This storm may produce tornadoes. If you are under a tornado warning, go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.

    Your neighbors are your lifeline. Check on your neighbors, especially older adults or those who may need additional assistance, to make sure they have what they need to ride out the storm. Have a plan to remain in contact during and after the storm.  

    Have a plan. Consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when a severe storm hits. Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov in Spanish language for more information on how to stay safe before, during and after severe weather. 

    Power outage and generator safety. If you lose power, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting. If using a generator, remember to always use them outdoors and keep it at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Additionally, make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and put up hurricane shutters if you have them.

    Do not focus on the exact track of the hurricane. Hurricanes are immense systems and changes in size, intensity, speed and direction can change quickly. Additionally, areas far from the storm’s center can experience effects such as flooding, storm surge and heavy winds. 

    Keep important documents safe. Save copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep important documents in a waterproof container and create password-protected digital copies. Take photos or videos of your belongings and property on your phone or upload them to the internet. Move valuables like photo albums, heirlooms and other treasured items to higher levels.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: American National Urges Claims Preparedness for Tropical Storm Helene

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Helene is forecast to rapidly intensify and accelerate while it moves northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaches the Florida Gulf coast. The storm is expected to intensify and grow significantly reaching major hurricane intensity as it approaches the Florida coast and impacting the southeast region. American National strongly encourages its policyholders to prepare for their insurance needs. We hope you will find the following informational resources helpful while preparing for this storm. Please be advised to follow the orders of local authorities.

    If you are an American National policyholder:

    There are several ways to report a claim (to ensure efficient claims service, check that your login credentials are up to date):

    1. Mobile: Use the AN Mobile app, available for free at the Apple App store or Google Play. An account is required.
    2. Online: Claims (AmericanNational.com) and login to your account to file claim. To create an account, go to AmericanNational.com > Customer Login > Personal Insurance – Log In > Register.
    3. If reporting on behalf of the insured and do not have a login: Claims (AmericanNational.com) and click the “Start Claim Online” link.
    4. Phone: Call the 24-hour claims hotline at (800) 333-2860.

    Stay alert, stay safe:

    Refer to the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for hurricane preparedness, weather tracking and additional updates.

    Check your local area forecast and follow instructions from local authorities to protect yourself, your family, and your property. Be sure to secure your home and property, follow your disaster plan and heed all storm warnings.

    APCIA urges the following actions to prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane:

    1. Gather copies of your insurance policies. Keep copies of your insurance policies (home, flood and auto) in a safe, dry, and accessible location or have your policy numbers available.
    2. Save your insurer’s contact info. Save your insurer’s toll-free claims number to your cell phone’s contacts. APCIA has a list of insurer’s toll-free numbers here. APCIA American Property Casualty Insurance Association | APCIA
    3. Make a home or business inventory. Use your smartphone to take photos or videos of your belongings, including furniture, appliances, clothes, lawn equipment, jewelry, and art. Save your inventory to a place where you can easily retrieve it. You can also check if your insurer has an app to help with creating a home inventory.

    For more information on how to prepare, visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.

    ABOUT AMERICAN NATIONAL

    American National is a group of companies writing a broad array of insurance products and services and operating in all 50 states. American National Insurance Company was founded in 1905 and is headquartered in Galveston, Texas. Life insurance, annuities, credit insurance, pension products, and other products and services are written through multiple companies. Property and casualty insurance is written through American National Property And Casualty Company, Springfield, Missouri, and affiliates. In New York, business is written through Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, United Farm Family Insurance Company, and American National Life Insurance Company of New York, Glenmont, New York. Not all products and services are available in all states. Not all companies are licensed in all states. Each company has financial responsibility for only the products and services it issues. For more information, please visit AmericanNational.com

    Contact:
     Becky Hudzik-Presson
    SVP, Chief Claims Officer, P&C Claims Executive
    Becky.Hudzik-Presson@AmericanNational.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Climate change fuels August heat waves across Canada – Results from Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system demonstrate that human-caused climate change made heat waves at least 10 times more likely in August in some instances

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Analysis from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution has shown that, in all cases, human-caused climate change made heat waves in August 2024 more likely to have occurred. In some instances, it was at least 10 times more likely.

    September 25, 2024– Ottawa, Ontario

    Analysis from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution hasshown that, in all cases, human-caused climate change made heat waves in August 2024 more likely to have occurred. In some instances, it was at least 10 times more likely.

    This system uses climate models to compare today’s climate with a pre-industrial one to explain how much human-caused climate change affected the likelihood of each heat wave.

    In three cases, human-caused climate change made heat waves far more likely to occur. This means that human influence on the climate made the following events at least 10 times more likely to happen:

    Inuvik, Northwest Territories (August 6 to 10)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 26.5 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 13.0 °C

    Kitikmeot, Nunavut (August 7 to12)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 25.0 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 12.4 °C

    Kivalliq, Nunavut (August 8 to 14)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 27.1 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 12.2 °C

    In seven cases, human-caused climate change made the heat waves much more likely to occur. This means that human influence on the climate made the following events at least two to 10 times more likely to happen:

    Atlantic Canada (August 24 to 27)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 23.9 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 6.7 °C

    Eastern Ontario (July 31 to August 2)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 29.2 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 5.8 °C

    Fort Smith, Northwest Territories (August 8 to 13)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 26.9 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 9.2 °C

    Northern British Columbia (August 7 to 11)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 23.6 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 7.0 °C

    Northern Quebec (August 13 to 16)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 23.6 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 7.8 °C

    Southern Quebec (July 27 to August 3)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 28.3 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 7.6 °C

    Yukon (August 5 to 9)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 24.1 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 8.9 °C

    Finally, human-caused climate change made the following heat wave more likely to occur. This means that human influence on the climate made the following event at least one to two times more likely to happen.

    Manitoba (July 30 to August 1)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 28.3 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 6.4 °C

    * The normal daily high temperature is an average over 1991–2020 of all of the region-averaged daily high temperatures in the month surrounding the event.

    Prolonged heat waves are a major contributor to more intense wildfires across Canada. The 2023 wildfires in Canada burned almost 15 million hectares of forest and cost Canadians tens of billions of dollars in damages.[1] Understanding how human influence on the climate has increased the chance of a particular heat wave, soon after it occurs, can help inform adaptation strategies and heat wave response procedures for a changing climate while the event and its impacts are still top of mind.

    We urge the public to regularly monitor weather forecasts, take all weather alerts seriously, and get prepared for weather-related events by developing an emergency plan and being ready to adjust their travel plans. Canadians can download the WeatherCAN app to receive weather alert notifications directly on their mobile devices. Alerts help Canadians prepare to face severe weather events, save lives, and reduce the impacts on property and livelihoods.

    [1] Jain, P., Barber, Q.E., Taylor, S.W. et al. Drivers and Impacts of the Record-Breaking 2023 Wildfire Season in Canada. Nature Communications 15, 6764 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51154-7

    Media Relations
    Environment and Climate Change Canada
    819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
    media@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten, Blumenauer Introduce Bill to Help Communities Facing Flood Damage

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    September 25, 2024

    Washington DC — Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) introduced the Protecting Families and the Solvency of the National Flood Insurance Program Act of 2024, which would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide additional mitigation assistance to families affected by flooding and address the problems of delays in buyouts for communities facing repetitive losses.

    “Having spent my entire adult life fighting climate change, I am alarmed by the increased frequency and severity of flooding—devastating not only the coasts, but communities right here in the Midwest,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “In Illinois alone, there are over 400,000 homes and over 30,000 business properties with operational flooding risk. The science is crystal clear that this climate-driven devastation will only get worse and more costly, yet the National Flood Insurance Program remains woefully unprepared to meet the needs of communities hit hardest. After meeting with dozens of local mayors, municipal leaders, and first responders, I’m proud to introduce legislation to improve the buy-out program to help families facing climate-driven flood damage get the financial relief and help with voluntary relocation they need faster.”

    “Nowhere is the cost of failure more pronounced than the National Flood Insurance Program. We cannot afford to keep risking lives and taxpayer dollars by rebuilding structures in the same flood-prone areas as the climate crisis makes disasters more frequent and intense. With simple, preventative steps like my legislation with Congressman Casten, we can help disaster victims break the cycle of repetitive flood loss,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer.

    FEMA provides funding for communities to purchase flood-prone properties and convert the land to open space. This property acquisition can be a beneficial strategy for flood mitigation. However, the buyout process poses challenges that can discourage homeowner and community participation. Currently, buyouts through the National Flood Insurance Program can take more than five years to complete through FEMA, far too long for families living in damaged and potentially hazardous houses. The bill would cut through the red tape to deliver buy-outs quicker to victims of flooding, especially in underserved communities. This bill will make buyouts more accessible, equitable, and efficient. In 2022, the Government Accountability Office conducted a study of FEMA’s buyout program and issued recommendations. One of the recommendations was to preapprove certain properties for acquisition, which is exactly what this bill does.

    Annual flooding in the U.S. costs up to $496 billion and will increase as a result of climate change, the cost of which will be borne disproportionately by disadvantaged communities. This increased frequency and severity of flooding will come not only from the coast, but from increased rainfall and riverine flooding across the country. 

    In Illinois, there are 413,129 residential properties, 50,977 miles of roads, 36,816 commercial properties, 996 infrastructure facilities, and 2,476 social facilities with operational flood risk* today.

    The Protecting Families and the Solvency of the National Flood Insurance Program Act of 2024:

    • Addresses the problem of delays in buyouts by authorizing buyouts-in-lieu-of-claim-payments in high-priority cases.
      • If the property has been identified as a repetitive loss or severe repetitive loss property
      • Has been designated by the participating community as substantially damaged.
      • Would otherwise be filing a claim for the maximum level of coverage.
      • Right now, a buyout looks at an effective floodplain.
    • Allows for additional assistance to residents who may wish to move but are unable to afford relocation by requiring FEMA to apply the special assistance provisions of the Uniform Relocation Act to buyouts.
    • Provides FEMA with authorities to provide an additional measure of mitigation assistance to currently underserved communities, in line with provisions in the Infrastructure and Jobs Act that make this allowance for the next 5 years and expands the current narrow definition of “small and impoverished” communities.
    • Incentivizes community action to address repeat flooding by offering access to and potentially a larger share of mitigation assistance funding for implementation of locally developed flood plans. 
    • Assures that FEMA assistance to address recurrent flooding, including buyout offers, is not limited to neighborhoods that have previously been mapped into FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas.

    Text of the legislation can be found here.

    The legislation has been endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Declares State of Emergency, Activates State Operations Center Ahead of Helene

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) in preparation for Hurricane Helene, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall in Florida on Thursday. He declared a State of Emergency yesterday for all 159 counties, enabling emergency management teams to make necessary arrangements and position needed resources ahead of the storm’s impact. Governor Kemp has also asked FEMA to grant Georgia an emergency declaration to further marshal resources and deploy them where most needed before, during, and after the major weather event.

    “The current forecast for Hurricane Helene suggests this storm will impact every part of our state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We are not taking anything for granted, which is why I have directed appropriate state agencies to work around the clock to ensure we’re prepared for whatever is heading our way. I want to thank them for their diligence and ask that all Georgians make preparations now to keep their families and property safe.”

    Forecasters expect Helene to move into Georgia Thursday evening and early Friday morning, with tropical storm force winds and heavy rain possible throughout the state, potentially leading to spin-off tornadoes, downed trees and power lines, flooding, and other major impacts. The State Operations Center (SOC) elevated to a full-scale activation level at 7 a.m. this morning, and GEMA/HS will continue to monitor and aid local emergency management agencies for the duration of the event.

    “As we closely monitor the development of Hurricane Helene, the safety of Georgians remains our top priority. GEMA/HS is working around the clock in coordination with local, state, and federal partners to ensure that we are fully prepared for any potential impacts,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “We’ve pre-positioned resources, enhanced communication channels and are advising residents to stay informed and take the necessary precautions. Our team is ready to respond to emergencies and assist communities as needed, and we encourage everyone to follow official guidance to stay safe.”

    In case of flooding, do not drive or walk through standing water or drive around barricades. Stay away from downed power lines to avoid the risk of electric shock or electrocution. If a tornado warning is issued, storm cellars or basements provide the best protection. If an underground shelter is not available, go to a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.

    For more information on how to prepare, visit https://gema.georgia.gov/hurricanes and https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia.

    As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Climate change fuelling August heatwaves across Canada – Results from Canada’s Rapid Attribution System for Extreme Weather reveal that human-caused climate change has increased the likelihood of August heatwaves by at least 10-fold in some cases.

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Analyses using Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Attribution System for Extreme Weather Events show that, in all cases, human-induced climate change has increased the likelihood of the August 2024 heat waves, and in some cases by at least 10 times.

    September 25, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

    Analyses carried out using the Rapid attribution system for extreme weather events Environment and Climate Change Canada’s data show that, in all cases, human-caused climate change has increased the likelihood of August 2024 heat waves, and by at least 10 times in some cases.

    This system uses climate models to compare today’s climate to that of the pre-industrial period to explain how human-caused climate change has affected the likelihood of each heat wave.

    In three cases, human-induced climate change has made these heat waves significantly more likely. This means that human influence on the climate has made the following events at least ten times more likely.

    Inuvik (Northwest Territories) (August 6-10)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 26.5°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 13.0°C

    Kitikmeot (Nunavut) (August 7-12)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 25.0°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 12.4°C

    Kivalliq, Nunavut (August 8 to 14)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 27.1°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 12.2°C

    In seven cases, human-caused climate change made these heat waves much more likely. This means that human influence on the climate made the following events at least two to ten times more likely.

    Atlantic Canada (August 24-27)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 23.9°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 6.7°C

    Eastern Ontario (July 31 to August 2)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 29.2°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 5.8°C

    Fort Smith, Northwest Territories (August 8-13)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 26.9°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 9.2°C

    Northern British Columbia (August 7-11)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 23.6°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 7.0°C

    Northern Quebec (August 13 to 16)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 23.6°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 7.8°C

    Southern Quebec (July 27 to August 3)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 28.3°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 7.6°C

    Yukon (August 5-9)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 24.1°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 8.9°C

    Finally, human-caused climate change has made subsequent heat waves more likely. This means that human influence on the climate has made subsequent events at least one to two times more likely.

    Manitoba (July 30 to August 1)

    Daily peak temperature during heatwave: 28.3°C Degrees above normal daily maximum*: 6.4°C

    *The normal daily maximum is an average of all average daily maximum temperatures for a region between 1991 and 2020 over a one-month period around the event.

    Prolonged heat waves are a major factor driving increased wildfire activity in Canada. The 2023 wildfires in Canada burned nearly 15 million hectares of forest and cost Canadians tens of billions of dollars in damages.[1]. It is important to understand how human influence on climate has increased the likelihood of a particular heatwave shortly after it has occurred. This understanding helps inform adaptation strategies and intervention efforts in the context of climate change, while the heatwave and its impacts are still fresh in the mind.

    We urge the population to regularly monitor weather forecasts, to take all weather warnings seriously and to prepare weather hazards by developing an emergency plan or adapting their travel arrangements. Canadians can download the app WeatherCAN to receive weather alert notifications directly to their mobile devices. Weather alerts help Canadians prepare for severe weather, save lives and reduce impacts to property and livelihoods.

    [1] P. Jain, QE Barber, SW Taylor, et al., Drivers and Impacts of the Record-Breaking 2023 Wildfire Season in Canada, Nature Communications 15, 6764 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51154-7 (in English only)

    Media RelationsEnvironment and Climate Change Canada819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)media@ec.gc.ca

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI