COP28 must focus on health crisis
Source: Bangkok Post
Date: 21 Nov 2023
The article underscores the perilous consequences of persistent reliance on fossil fuels, emphasizing its detrimental impact on global health and climate. Recent years have witnessed a cascade of climate-related calamities, including extreme weather events and food shortages, attributed to this dependency. With a clarion call for COP28, the article urges a focused approach to address the burgeoning health crisis linked to environmental degradation. The need to transition towards sustainable energy sources is underscored, offering a pivotal solution to mitigate these challenges.
Maldives to battle rising seas by building fortress islands
Source: Dhaka Tribune
Date: 21 Nov 2023
The Maldives, facing rising sea levels and a drinking water crisis, plans to combat environmental threats by scrapping relocation plans and opting for ambitious land reclamation. President Mohamed Muizzu rejects the idea of buying land abroad, seeking $500 million in foreign funding to protect vulnerable coasts. While fortress-like sea walls are envisioned for safety, concerns linger over the fate of beach islands vital to the tourism-driven economy.
Climate change: The villagers building 100ft ice towers
Source: BBC News
Date: 21 Nov 2023
In her photographic journey through South Asia, environmental photographer Arati Kumar-Rao captures Ladakh’s changing landscape and the escalating impact of climate change on its people. The Ladakh region, perched over 3,000m above sea level, once experienced predictable water rhythms, but climate change has disrupted this balance. Rising temperatures, erratic snowfall, and retreating glaciers have led to water scarcity, affecting agriculture and prompting migration. Engineer Sonam Wangchuk’s innovative “ice stupas,” cone-shaped ice structures storing winter water for spring use, offer hope. However, the region’s plight emphasizes the global responsibility to address climate change and its consequences.