UNICEF’s Post

Hurricane Idalia is a stark reminder that climate change is a national security threat. Let's take action to prepare for its impact. We cannot afford to ignore the facts any longer. Climate change is not a hoax. #climatechangecrisis Let's come together and win against this crisis. https://lnkd.in/epTne39e

I was going to post this earlier in the week: “Celebrating a personal milestone this month 🥰 Twenty years married, and using the opportunity to visit a bucket list location, the most stunning St Lucia 🥰 #lovewhatyoudo #dowhatyoulove #bucketlistgoals #stunningstlucia” Lovey and light and cheerful 😍 But then… In the past 24 hours we found ourselves sitting in our very comfortable and safe hotel (with Netflix and snacks) riding out the Category 4 Hurricane Beryl. And feeling both grateful for our privilege, but sad and sick for the thousands of St Lucians who live in less stable homes and who have been much more affected by the storm, their homes damaged, the banana crop (major export). The fishing village inhabitants in Soufriere who we had beers with watching the football a week ago is where the storm hit hardest on the island. Urgh. They will need to find help to rebuild their homes and businesses, as we eventually fly home and tell dinner party stories of how we “survived a hurricane.” The hurricane (now Category 5) is heading towards Haiti now and that is already a country that has enough to deal with 🥲 ***Warmer seas are causing hurricanes to form more frequently, form faster and form bigger*** and they are hitting the most vulnerable countries***often countries that the Global North has a lot to apologise for already. I’m not sure what the answer is but maybe it’s that more work is needed to help stem global warming and more need to be done to help communities so much more vulnerable to climate factors (that they didn’t cause)??? And we need to be so mindful of our privilege and use it for good? Including, perhaps, choosing a government who prioritise Overseas Development assistance and proper climate change action… #lovewhatyoudo #dowhatyoulove

Hurricane Beryl’s trail of destruction in the Caribbean reinforces the need for the newly created loss and damage fund to be able to respond quickly to climate disasters. It also highlights the importance of more effective long-term support for small countries on the frontline of the climate crisis, so they don’t spiral further into unsustainable levels of debt. IIED has advocated for several measures to ensure the loss and damage fund is nimble enough to respond to major climate disasters, including immediate help for affected communities along with support for longer-term resilience. In May, the leaders of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) endorsed a plan aimed at alleviating crippling levels of debt while also building economic protections. Part of the plan involves parametric insurance and pooling risk, so that individual countries are not overwhelmed each time a climate-related disaster strikes. IIED has also developed a toolkit to help measure the readiness of a country's existing social protection programmes to deliver climate resilience. Find out more. --> https://lnkd.in/e5nT7D8y #HurricaneBeryl #SIDS #LossAndDamage #debt #ClimateChange

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Hoboken, NJ poured millions of dollars into its waterfront, constructing new parks and cisterns to effectively absorb stormwater in the event of heavy rain. It also redesigned its streets to include more gardens and porous surfaces and reduce runoff. It’s an example of the kinds of adaptive measures that cities will need to take if they hope to mitigate the worst effects of climate change moving forward — from flooding, extreme heat and rain to diminishing air quality. The Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative will soon begin tracking the progress of such efforts in cities around the world: https://go.nd.edu/1cf277

Hurricane Beryl's devastation is a stark reminder of the escalating threats to Small Island Developing states (SIDs) due to the climate crisis. The Caribbean is severely impacted by these extreme weather events as it is one of the world's most vulnerable regions to climate change. In the aftermath of this natural disaster, we continue to stand with our Caribbean neighbours affected by Hurricane Beryl. The support cannot stop there. We need global action on climate change. Together, let us advocate for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, raise awareness within our local communities and invest in climate resilience for all. #ClimateAction #CaribbeanStrong #SupportOurIslands #HurricaneBeryl #HurricaneRelief #HurricaneAid #Carriacou #StVincent #GlobalWarming #ClimateCrisis #Regeneration #OnlyOneEarth #Biodiversity #Conservation #SustainableLiving #GetInvolved

As I continue to observe the #relief efforts and #disaster response initiatives unfold in SVG, I cannot help but ponder a little. I want to see my country truly become a more resilient one all-round. I want to see us better prepared and positioned to withstand the worst. That said, it is my sincere hope that we do not simply rebuild but REBUILD BETTER. Since we bear the brunt of climate-related hazards, we must strengthen our resolve and our infrastructure to face the new norm - the unwanted but unfortunately more likely. Obviously this requires finances and resources - which #SIDS and most of their citizens do not have. However, the reality is that it makes no sense to replace infrastructure that did not withstand Hurricane #Beryl with the same kind. If there are affordable alternatives for building stronger, storm proof homes, I hope we can look into those. If not, it will only be a matter of time. And unfortunately for us, the timescales between climate-related disasters in SIDS is likely to lessen with the worsening #climate crisis. #YearOfExtremes #RecordBreaking #Resilience #RiskReduction

What will it take for the world leaders to realise that mitigation and adaptation will be much less costly than dealing with the aftermath of the increasing number of 'natural' disasters? And of course there is less and less that is natural about the severity, intensity and frequency of these events. This week events that have crossed into my news feed without looking for them: ·      Hurricane in Florida ·      Flooding in Greece and neighbouring countries ·      Flooring in Hong Kong I am sure there must be more and we will not forget the recent devastating wild fires Being fortunate to live in a fairly climate stable country (for now) it is hard to fully appreciate the life altering impact these communities face and what they must fear for the future.

#LossandDamage covers a wide range of #climatechange consequences stemming from extreme weather events like hurricane, droughts and heatwaves, as well as from slower onset changes like sea level rise, coastal erosion, land degradation, and ocean acidification. These consequences can be catastrophic, disrupting livelihoods, destroying homes and costing lives, in the event of a disaster. Far too often, loss and damage permanently alters countries on the frontlines of climate change, as many do not have access to the financing needed to repair the damage, and in the end, can leave behind millions of fractured communities and peoples in its wake. Small #island developing states are counting on a #cop28uae outcome that will provide adequate and direct access to the funds that are urgently needed.

It's #NationalHurricanePreparednessWeek. During a hurricane, it’s important to stay indoors, away from windows and glass. Never operate a portable generator inside your home. Do not use electrical equipment and electronics that have been submerged in water. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the peak season occurring from mid-August to late October. To prepare for hurricane season, follow these tips: https://lnkd.in/eetANVnv

🚨 Urgent News: Hurricane Louis Devastates Northern France 🚨 Swipe right to view the aftermath! Almost 90,000 households left without power as #HurricaneLouis causes widespread destruction to France's electricity network, as reported by BFMTV. The storm's impact extends to flooding, hindering repair teams from accessing certain areas. 🌊⚡ Train services in Normandy are disrupted, and residential properties are affected. This serves as a powerful reminder of the pressing need for international cooperation in addressing climate change. 🌍💔 We must come together, innovate, and establish a global alert and rescue system to combat these calamities. The time has come for humanity to unite for the future of our planet. Let's bring about change! 🌱✊ #ClimateEmergency #ProtectOurEarth #FranceHurricane #GlobalSolidarity