The news that last month was the hottest January on record offers further evidence that the international community is a long way from getting to grips with the pressing threats posed by climate change.
Temperatures in January were about 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, indicating that the world is likely to breach the 2015 Paris Agreement’s target of keeping increases below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The El Nino weather system in the Pacific, which involves cyclic increases in temperature caused by changes in water circulation patterns, has ended, so scientists thought January 2025 might be cooler than the same month last year, which also set a record. But this was not the case.
Climate change conundrum
“We have no understanding of why it's got so high, and the scientific community doesn't understand. It might be that we've triggered cascading tipping points,” said Prof Mike Berners-Lee, a climate researcher at Lancaster University in the UK.
Prof Berners-Lee, author of There is No Planet B and How Bad are Bananas: The Climate Footprint of Everything, outlines why the world has failed to deal with climate change, and what is needed to get to grips with the issue, in a book to be published next month, A Climate of Truth.
“Our species is operating in a different context, now, from the one we always used to be in. We haven't learnt to adapt to it,” he told The National. “We're very powerful compared to the ability of the planet to put itself back together again.”
A worsening crisis?
Prof Berners-Lee said people around the world “haven’t got anywhere with the climate crisis”, with the use of fossil fuels increasing. "We’re making the climate crisis worse by a larger amount every year than we did the year before. We’re accelerating into the problem," he added.
Scientist believe efforts have so far fallen short of what is needed to prevent severe effects from climate change, despite most of the technology needed to achieve net zero being available already.
Dr Delf Rothe, of the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg in Germany, and author of Securitising Global Warming: A Climate of Complexity, said renewable energy sources such as solar power were becoming more competitive and “could take over” from fossil fuels.
“That’s very positive,” he said. “[But] my perception is it’s not sufficient, because there are not enough cuts in energy use in total. As long as energy consumption is increasing, due to digital technology, artificial intelligence and so forth, the degree and speed of the transition isn’t sufficient.”
Figures from the International Energy Agency show that in 2022 global electricity demand rose by 2.4 per cent, while in 2023 it increased by 2.2 per cent. Without relying on technology such as carbon capture and storage – where emissions are captured from industrial plants and stored underground – or direct air capture, where carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere and stored, Dr Rothe said there had to be “some political steering” so growth in energy consumption was phased out.
Need for action
Countries often put off making the “really difficult decisions” about dealing with climate change, said Dr Phillip Williamson, an honorary associate professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia in the UK.
“Then the crunch comes and there are costs involved and there’s quite vocal opposition,” he said, adding that people in effect say they “believe in net zero, but not yet”.
“The climate disaster might happen sooner,” he explained. “The climate science isn’t sufficiently well defined. The uncertainties are that natural systems can have a life of their own.”
Prof Berners-Lee said climate breakdown was only one of myriad environmental problems facing the planet.
He said the world was in the midst of a polycrisis, because of the “haemorrhaging” of biodiversity, plastic pollution, especially microplastics, and loss of land fertility. The key thing needed to deal with climate change is “reducing the rate at which fossil fuels are taken out of the ground and used”, Prof Berners-Lee said.
He added that changes in people’s diets – with a reduction in the quantities of meat and dairy foods consumed – were also important.
If the necessary changes are to be made, he said more truth was required in politics, business and the media. Obscuring the truth could prevent the necessary action from being taken.
“We have this post-truth [culture] in the UK, and US. We’ve been pretty careless about the truth and we don't need to be,” he said.
He called on the public to highlight instances of “greenwashing”, when a product or service is described incorrectly as being environmentally friendly. “There’s so many people saying, 'The problem is so big.' [People ask] is there anything meaningful they can do? I say, 'Yes there is, if you insist on high standards of honesty,'” he said.
While Prof Berners-Lee said there were failings in the world’s approach to climate change, he lauded efforts in the UAE to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels.
“I was there a few months ago,” he said. “It’s transitioned in quite a remarkable way. It stands to become a global role model on what it looks like to transition away from fossil fuels while having a vibrant economy. There is so much opportunity to grow further in the desert using new technologies and take us away from fossil fuels.”
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As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Bullet%20Train
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The%20specs
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures: Monday, first 50-over match; Wednesday, second 50-over match; Thursday, third 50-over match
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Scorebox
Dubai Hurricanes 31 Dubai Sports City Eagles 22
Hurricanes
Tries: Finck, Powell, Jordan, Roderick, Heathcote
Cons: Tredray 2, Powell
Eagles
Tries: O’Driscoll 2, Ives
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (rated 72-87) Dh 165,000 1,600m.
Winner: Syncopation, George Buckell, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Big Brown Bear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
Winner: Stunned, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
Winner: Pillar Of Society, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
Series information
Pakistan v Dubai
First Test, Dubai International Stadium
Sun Oct 6 to Thu Oct 11
Second Test, Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tue Oct 16 to Sat Oct 20
Play starts at 10am each day
Teams
Pakistan
1 Mohammed Hafeez, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Babar Azam, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Bilal Asif, 9 Yasir Shah, 10, Mohammed Abbas, 11 Wahab Riaz or Mir Hamza
Australia
1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
