Climate Change
Environment & Migration
Europe
Global Issues
Middle East & North Africa
Craig Bennett

As I looked in on my own children sleeping safely last Thursday night before I went to bed, I did so with added poignancy as I reflected that this was something Abdullah Kurdi was not able to do. I’m sure millions of parents of young children right across Europe have felt similar emotions these last few days.

We’re all human, and so it’s perhaps not surprising that it takes a single photograph and an individual’s story to shake a society, all too belatedly, into glimpsing at one horrific aspect of Europe’s refugee crisis and demanding action.

But if we really want to reduce the future suffering of millions of refugees, and politicians want to avoid more shameful paralysis in the years ahead, we also need to look at the bigger picture.

 

For the complete article, please see The Guardian.

Source:
The Guardian
Adaptation & Resilience
Climate Change
Environment & Migration
South America
Central America & Caribbean
Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Igarapé Institute

In some areas of the world, including Central America, rising sea levels and declining agricultural productivity due to climate change are expected to trigger major migratory flows, especially within countries. The role of policy-makers is it to promote local solutions while engaging in regional cooperation for a preventative approach.

Cities
Climate Change
Climate Diplomacy
Global Issues
Lou del Bello, URBANET

What outcomes do the agreements achieved at COP24 hold for cities and regions? Despite the decisive part the so-called non-state actors play in achieving the international climate goals, their role hasn't been formally recognized by the UNFCCC.

Climate Change
Climate Diplomacy
Global Issues
UN Environment

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, concluded in October 2016, has entered into force on January 1st, 2019. Its 65 signatories are now on the fast track to significantly reducing the use of harmful greenhouse gases in the production of cooling devices, representing a major step towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. After a season of unsatisfying climate negotiations, the amendment's implementation marks a time of action and reminds the international community why climate diplomacy ultimately pays off.

Climate Diplomacy
Conflict Transformation
Water
Sub-Saharan Africa
Middle East & North Africa
Danilo Turk, Fair Observer

In many ongoing armed conflicts, water has been used as a weapon of war, but it can also be a strong instrument of peace.