Mens klimaforhandlingerne står på i Qatar advarer en ny rapport om, at arabiske lande er særligt udsatte for klimaændringer. Ekstremt vejr er den nye normal for regionen, skriver Verdensbanken i en pressemeddelelse torsdag.
NEW YORK; December 5, 2012: The year 2010 was globally the warmest since records began in the late 1800s, with 19 countries setting new national temperature highs.
Five of these were Arab countries, including Kuwait, which set a new record at 52.6 °C in 2010, only to be followed by 53.5 °C in 2011.
According to a new report, Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries, extreme weather events are the new norm for the region.
The consequences of the global phenomenon of climate change are especially acute in the Arab world.
While the region has been adapting to changes in rainfall and temperature for thousands of years, the speed with which the climate is now changing has, in many cases, outstripped traditional coping mechanisms.
“Climate change is a reality for people in Arab countries,” said Inger Andersen, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa region.
“It affects everyone – especially the poor who are least able to adapt – and as the climate becomes ever more extreme, so will its impacts on people’s livelihoods and wellbeing. The time to take action at both the national and regional level in order to increase climate resilience is now”, she continues.
The report draws on extensive regional knowledge and expertise for a comprehensive analysis of the potential impact of climate change.
Temperatures are projected to reach new highs, and in most places there will be less rainfall.
Water availability will be reduced, and with a growing population, the already water-scarce region may not have sufficient supplies to irrigate crops, support industry, or provide drinking water.
Læs mere og download rapporten her: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/12/05/facing-up-to-the-threat-of-climate-change-in-the-arab-world
Begynd ved: “This will put the livelihoods of men and women…”
