Fulani tribe from west Africa leads a pastoral life due to climate change, livestock suffer water shortage across the region.

African Fulani tribe fights with climate change

Africa hit by cyclones, floods and drought, the effect of climate change causes chaos in Africa, millions starve in Africa due to climate change

Climate change causes chaos in Africa

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-thousands-protest-in-europe-asia-ahead-of-un-climate-summit-265346">UN COP25</a> climate conference Tuesday.

"One is the path of surrender, where we have sleepwalked past the point of no return, jeopardising the health and safety of everyone on this planet," Guterres said.

"Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned?"

In an impassioned appeal, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-against-nature-must-stop-un-chief-says-before-climate-talks-265593">UN chief</a> worked through a long list of worrying signs, including new figures released Tuesday by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

The last five years have been the hottest ever recorded, the WMO said, and the concentration of planet warming CO2 in the atmosphere has reached levels not seen in three to five million years.

"The last time there was a comparable concentration," Guterres said, "the temperature was two to three degrees Celsius warmer, and sea levels were 10 to 20 metres higher than today."

The 2015 Paris Agreement calls for capping global warming at "well under" 2C, and 1.5C if possible.

A major UN science report reset the threshold for a climate-safe world from 2C to 1.5C.&nbsp;

"Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing 70 years ahead of projections," Guterres continued. "Antarctica is melting three times as fast as a decade ago. Ocean levels are rising quicker than expected."

"More than two-thirds of the world’s megacities are located by the sea."

More than 150 million people will find themselves in coastal flood zones by 2050, according to recent research.

To prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees, the global economy must be carbon neutral by mid-century, a landmark UN report said last year.&nbsp;

"The best available science, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells us today that going beyond that (1.5C) would lead us to catastrophic disaster," Guterres said.

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the UN COP25 climate conference Tuesday.

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the UN COP25 climate conference Tuesday. "One is the path of surrender, where we have sleepwalked past the point of no return, jeopardising the health and safety of everyone on this planet," Guterres said. "Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned?" In an impassioned appeal, the UN chief worked through a long list of worrying signs, including new figures released Tuesday by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The last five years have been the hottest ever recorded, the WMO said, and the concentration of planet warming CO2 in the atmosphere has reached levels not seen in three to five million years. "The last time there was a comparable concentration," Guterres said, "the temperature was two to three degrees Celsius warmer, and sea levels were 10 to 20 metres higher than today." The 2015 Paris Agreement calls for capping global warming at "well under" 2C, and 1.5C if possible. A major UN science report reset the threshold for a climate-safe world from 2C to 1.5C. "Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing 70 years ahead of projections," Guterres continued. "Antarctica is melting three times as fast as a decade ago. Ocean levels are rising quicker than expected." "More than two-thirds of the world’s megacities are located by the sea." More than 150 million people will find themselves in coastal flood zones by 2050, according to recent research. To prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees, the global economy must be carbon neutral by mid-century, a landmark UN report said last year. "The best available science, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells us today that going beyond that (1.5C) would lead us to catastrophic disaster," Guterres said.

Choose hope or climate surrender: UN chief at climate change conference in Madrid

European Union&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;meeting in Brussels next week will&nbsp;push&nbsp;to agree to put the bloc on net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by&nbsp;2050, their draft joint statement showed on Monday, heralding a bitter fight looming at their gathering.

The December&nbsp;12-13 summit of the bloc's national&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;will aim to endorse "the objective of achieving a&nbsp;climate-neutral&nbsp;EU&nbsp;by&nbsp;2050", according to the&nbsp;document&nbsp;seen by Reuters.

Previous attempts, however, were blocked by Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, who rely on highly polluting coal. They have previously said they oppose&nbsp;climate&nbsp;neutrality by&nbsp;2050&nbsp;for fear cutting greenhouse emissions will stifle their economies.

To convince the reluctant camp, the draft summit conclusions refer to "just and socially balanced transition", the&nbsp;European Investment Bank's announcement to unlock 1 trillion&nbsp;euros worth of green investment until 2030, the need to ensure energy security and competitiveness vis-à-vis foreign powers not pursuing such&nbsp;climate&nbsp;goals.

The draft, prepared in advance of the&nbsp;leaders' discussions, may still change. But it will eventually need unanimous backing of all&nbsp;EU&nbsp;national&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;for there to be an agreement at the summit.

The bloc's new executive&nbsp;European Commission also aims to&nbsp;push&nbsp;for&nbsp;climate&nbsp;neutrality by mid-century and wants to make the&nbsp;EU's 2030&nbsp;climate&nbsp;targets more ambitious.

Current targets envisage cutting the&nbsp;EU's greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent&nbsp;by 2030 from 1990 levels. The new Commission, led by Germany's Ursula von der Leyen, hopes to raise the goal to at least 50 per cent.

European Union leaders meeting in Brussels next week will push to agree to put the bloc on net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, their draft joint statement showed on Monday, heralding a bitter fight looming at their gathering.

European Union leaders meeting in Brussels next week will push to agree to put the bloc on net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, their draft joint statement showed on Monday, heralding a bitter fight looming at their gathering. The December 12-13 summit of the bloc's national leaders will aim to endorse "the objective of achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050", according to the document seen by Reuters. Previous attempts, however, were blocked by Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, who rely on highly polluting coal. They have previously said they oppose climate neutrality by 2050 for fear cutting greenhouse emissions will stifle their economies. To convince the reluctant camp, the draft summit conclusions refer to "just and socially balanced transition", the European Investment Bank's announcement to unlock 1 trillion euros worth of green investment until 2030, the need to ensure energy security and competitiveness vis-à-vis foreign powers not pursuing such climate goals. The draft, prepared in advance of the leaders' discussions, may still change. But it will eventually need unanimous backing of all EU national leaders for there to be an agreement at the summit. The bloc's new executive European Commission also aims to push for climate neutrality by mid-century and wants to make the EU's 2030 climate targets more ambitious. Current targets envisage cutting the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 from 1990 levels. The new Commission, led by Germany's Ursula von der Leyen, hopes to raise the goal to at least 50 per cent.

European Union leaders to push for climate neutrality by 2050: Sources

2010s the hottest decade in recorded history

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/choose-hope-or-climate-surrender-says-un-chief-265756">Climate change</a> is harming human health as more people suffer from heat stress, extreme weather and mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.

The UN&nbsp;agency, in a report, issued a day after a climate summit began in Madrid, urged governments to meet ambitious targets to reduce heat-trapping carbon emissions saying it could save a million lives a year through lower air pollution alone.

"Health is paying the price of the climate crisis. Why? Because our lungs, our brains, our cardiovascular system is very much suffering from the causes of climate change which are overlapping very much with the causes of air pollution," Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, told a news briefing.

Yet less than 1 per cent&nbsp;of international financing for climate action goes to the health sector, she said, calling it "absolutely outrageous".

Global temperatures could rise sharply this century with "wide-ranging and destructive" consequences after greenhouse gas emissions hit record levels last year, international climate experts warned last week.

Watch: Climate change 'tipping points'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-climate-change-tipping-points-265326/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"WHO considers that climate change is potentially the greatest health threat of the 21st Century," said WHO expert Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum.

"The reason for that is that unless we cut our carbon emissions, then we will continue to undermine our food supplies, our water supplies and our air quality - everything that we need to maintain the good health of our populations," he said.

The same sources cause <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/urge-for-climate-change-spreads-like-wildfire-across-the-globe-265246">air pollution and climate change</a>, Campbell-Lendrum said, adding: "So about two-thirds of the exposure to outdoor air pollution is from burning of fossil fuels."

"WHO estimates that over 7 million people a year die from indoor and outdoor air pollution. That is where the big win is," he said.

Some 101 countries responded to WHO's survey about the risks from climate change, but not big players including India and the United States.

"Over two-thirds have assessed that they have increased risks from heat stress, from injury and death from extreme weather, from food, water and vector-borne diseases and those range from everything from cholera to malaria," Campbell-Lendrum said.

Climate change is harming human health as more people suffer from heat stress, extreme weather and mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Climate change is harming human health as more people suffer from heat stress, extreme weather and mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday. The UN agency, in a report, issued a day after a climate summit began in Madrid, urged governments to meet ambitious targets to reduce heat-trapping carbon emissions saying it could save a million lives a year through lower air pollution alone. "Health is paying the price of the climate crisis. Why? Because our lungs, our brains, our cardiovascular system is very much suffering from the causes of climate change which are overlapping very much with the causes of air pollution," Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, told a news briefing. Yet less than 1 per cent of international financing for climate action goes to the health sector, she said, calling it "absolutely outrageous". Global temperatures could rise sharply this century with "wide-ranging and destructive" consequences after greenhouse gas emissions hit record levels last year, international climate experts warned last week. Watch: Climate change 'tipping points' "WHO considers that climate change is potentially the greatest health threat of the 21st Century," said WHO expert Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum. "The reason for that is that unless we cut our carbon emissions, then we will continue to undermine our food supplies, our water supplies and our air quality - everything that we need to maintain the good health of our populations," he said. The same sources cause air pollution and climate change, Campbell-Lendrum said, adding: "So about two-thirds of the exposure to outdoor air pollution is from burning of fossil fuels." "WHO estimates that over 7 million people a year die from indoor and outdoor air pollution. That is where the big win is," he said. Some 101 countries responded to WHO's survey about the risks from climate change, but not big players including India and the United States. "Over two-thirds have assessed that they have increased risks from heat stress, from injury and death from extreme weather, from food, water and vector-borne diseases and those range from everything from cholera to malaria," Campbell-Lendrum said.

Climate change has ill-effects on health, but not enough funding: World Health Organisation

UN Chief said that'' We've sleepwalked past point of no return." Climate submits to run until December 3.

UN Chief issues warning on climate apocalypse

This decade is set to be the hottest in history, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/choose-hope-or-climate-surrender-says-un-chief-265756">United Nations </a>said Tuesday in an annual assessment outlining the ways in which climate change is outpacing humanity's ability to adapt to it.

The World Meteorological Organization said global temperatures so far this year were 1.1 degrees Celsius (two degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average, putting 2019 on course to be in the top three warmest years ever recorded.&nbsp;

Manmade emissions from burning fossil fuels, building infrastructure, growing crops and transporting goods mean 2019 is set to break the record for atmospheric carbon concentrations, locking in further warming, the WMO said.

Oceans, which absorb 90 per cent of the excess heat produced by greenhouse gases, are now at their highest recorded temperatures.&nbsp;

The world's seas are now a quarter more acidic than 150 years ago, threatening vital marine ecosystems upon which billions of people rely for food and jobs.&nbsp;

In October, the global mean sea level reached its highest on record, fuelled by the 329 billion tonnes of ice lost from the Greenland ice sheet in 12 months.

Up to 22 million displaced&nbsp;

Each of the last four decades has been hotter than the last.

And far from climate change being a phenomenon for future generations to confront, the effects of humanity's insatiable, growth-at-any cost consumption means millions are already counting the damage.

The report said more than 10 million people were internally displaced in the first half of 2019 -- seven million directly due to extreme weather events such as storms, flooding and drought.

By the end of the year, the WMO said new displacements due to weather extremes could reach 22 million.&nbsp;

"Once again in 2019 weather and climate-related risks hit hard," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

"Heatwaves and floods which used to be 'once in a century' events are becoming more regular occurrences."

At just 1C hotter than pre-industrial times, 2019 has already seen deadly heatwaves in Europe, Australia and Japan, superstorms devastate southeast Africa, and wildfires rage out of control in Australia and California.&nbsp;

'Not adapting'&nbsp;

Nations are currently in crucial talks in Madrid aimed at finalising rules for the 2015 Paris climate accord, which enjoins countries to work to limit global temperature rises to "well below" 2C.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last year outlined how vital it was for mankind to aim for a safer cap of 1.5C -- ideally by slashing greenhouse gas emissions and retooling the global economy towards renewable energy.&nbsp;

The UN said last week in its annual "emissions gap" assessment that the world needed to cut carbon emissions by 7.6 per cent each year, every year until 2030 to hit 1.5C.&nbsp;

Instead, emissions are rising.&nbsp;

And while governments spend hundreds of billions of dollars subsidising fossil fuels, there appears to be no consensus in Madrid over how countries already dealing with climate-related catastrophe can fund efforts to adapt to the new reality.&nbsp;

"Our economic activities continue to use the atmosphere as a waste dump for greenhouse gases," said Joeri Rogelj, Grantham Lecturer in Climate Change at Imperial College London.&nbsp;

"The increasing temperatures, the warming oceans, ocean acidification and other indicators are the logical consequence of this inaction and this should worry us deeply."

Even if all Paris pledges were honoured, Earth is still on course to be more than 3C warmer by the end of the century.&nbsp;

Part of the discussions in Madrid is aimed at getting countries to increase their climate action ambition ahead of a deadline next year.&nbsp;

Friederike Otto, deputy director of the University of Oxford's Environmental Change Institute, said the WMO report "highlights that we are not even adapted to 1.1 degree of warming."&nbsp;

"And there is no doubt that this 1.1 degree is due to the burning of fossil fuels," he said.

This decade is set to be the hottest in history, the United Nations said Tuesday in an annual assessment outlining the ways in which climate change is outpacing humanity's ability to adapt to it.

This decade is set to be the hottest in history, the United Nations said Tuesday in an annual assessment outlining the ways in which climate change is outpacing humanity's ability to adapt to it. The World Meteorological Organization said global temperatures so far this year were 1.1 degrees Celsius (two degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average, putting 2019 on course to be in the top three warmest years ever recorded. Manmade emissions from burning fossil fuels, building infrastructure, growing crops and transporting goods mean 2019 is set to break the record for atmospheric carbon concentrations, locking in further warming, the WMO said. Oceans, which absorb 90 per cent of the excess heat produced by greenhouse gases, are now at their highest recorded temperatures. The world's seas are now a quarter more acidic than 150 years ago, threatening vital marine ecosystems upon which billions of people rely for food and jobs. In October, the global mean sea level reached its highest on record, fuelled by the 329 billion tonnes of ice lost from the Greenland ice sheet in 12 months. Up to 22 million displaced Each of the last four decades has been hotter than the last. And far from climate change being a phenomenon for future generations to confront, the effects of humanity's insatiable, growth-at-any cost consumption means millions are already counting the damage. The report said more than 10 million people were internally displaced in the first half of 2019 -- seven million directly due to extreme weather events such as storms, flooding and drought. By the end of the year, the WMO said new displacements due to weather extremes could reach 22 million. "Once again in 2019 weather and climate-related risks hit hard," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. "Heatwaves and floods which used to be 'once in a century' events are becoming more regular occurrences." At just 1C hotter than pre-industrial times, 2019 has already seen deadly heatwaves in Europe, Australia and Japan, superstorms devastate southeast Africa, and wildfires rage out of control in Australia and California. 'Not adapting' Nations are currently in crucial talks in Madrid aimed at finalising rules for the 2015 Paris climate accord, which enjoins countries to work to limit global temperature rises to "well below" 2C. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last year outlined how vital it was for mankind to aim for a safer cap of 1.5C -- ideally by slashing greenhouse gas emissions and retooling the global economy towards renewable energy. The UN said last week in its annual "emissions gap" assessment that the world needed to cut carbon emissions by 7.6 per cent each year, every year until 2030 to hit 1.5C. Instead, emissions are rising. And while governments spend hundreds of billions of dollars subsidising fossil fuels, there appears to be no consensus in Madrid over how countries already dealing with climate-related catastrophe can fund efforts to adapt to the new reality. "Our economic activities continue to use the atmosphere as a waste dump for greenhouse gases," said Joeri Rogelj, Grantham Lecturer in Climate Change at Imperial College London. "The increasing temperatures, the warming oceans, ocean acidification and other indicators are the logical consequence of this inaction and this should worry us deeply." Even if all Paris pledges were honoured, Earth is still on course to be more than 3C warmer by the end of the century. Part of the discussions in Madrid is aimed at getting countries to increase their climate action ambition ahead of a deadline next year. Friederike Otto, deputy director of the University of Oxford's Environmental Change Institute, said the WMO report "highlights that we are not even adapted to 1.1 degree of warming." "And there is no doubt that this 1.1 degree is due to the burning of fossil fuels," he said.

2010s hottest decade in history, UN says as emissions rise again

The world must stop a "war against nature" and find more political will to combat climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, the eve of a two-week global climate summit in Madrid.

Around the world, extreme weather ranging from wildfires to floods is being linked to manmade global warming, putting pressure on the summit to strengthen the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement on limiting the rise in temperature.

"Our war against nature must stop, and we know that it is possible," Guterres said ahead of the December 2-13 summit.

"We simply have to stop digging and drilling and take advantage of the vast possibilities offered by renewable energy and nature-based solutions."

Cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases - mostly from burning carbon-based fossil fuels - that have been agreed so far under the Paris deal are not enough to limit temperature rises to a goal of between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius (2.7-3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

Many countries are not even meeting those commitments, and political will is lacking, Guterres said.

President Donald Trump for his part has started withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, while the deforestation of the Amazon basin - a crucial carbon reservoir - is accelerating and China has tilted back towards building more coal-fired power plants.

Seventy countries have committed to a goal of 'carbon neutrality' or 'climate neutrality' by 2050.

This means they would balance out greenhouse emissions, for instance through carbon capture technology or by planting trees.

But Guterres said these pledges were not enough.

"We also see clearly that the world's largest emitters are not pulling their weight," he said, "and without them, our goal is unreachable."

Last year's U.N. climate summit in Poland yielded a framework for reporting and monitoring emissions pledges and updating plans for further cuts. But sticking points remain, not least over an article on how to put a price on emissions, and so allow them to be traded.

"I don't even want to entertain the possibility that we do not agree on article 6," Guterres said. "We are here to approve guidelines to implement article 6, not to find excuses not to do it."

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has accepted an invitation to become U.N. special envoy on climate action and climate finance from Jan. 1, Guterres said.

The world must stop a "war against nature" and find more political will to combat climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, the eve of a two-week global climate summit in Madrid.

The world must stop a "war against nature" and find more political will to combat climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, the eve of a two-week global climate summit in Madrid. Around the world, extreme weather ranging from wildfires to floods is being linked to manmade global warming, putting pressure on the summit to strengthen the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement on limiting the rise in temperature. "Our war against nature must stop, and we know that it is possible," Guterres said ahead of the December 2-13 summit. "We simply have to stop digging and drilling and take advantage of the vast possibilities offered by renewable energy and nature-based solutions." Cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases - mostly from burning carbon-based fossil fuels - that have been agreed so far under the Paris deal are not enough to limit temperature rises to a goal of between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius (2.7-3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Many countries are not even meeting those commitments, and political will is lacking, Guterres said. President Donald Trump for his part has started withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, while the deforestation of the Amazon basin - a crucial carbon reservoir - is accelerating and China has tilted back towards building more coal-fired power plants. Seventy countries have committed to a goal of 'carbon neutrality' or 'climate neutrality' by 2050. This means they would balance out greenhouse emissions, for instance through carbon capture technology or by planting trees. But Guterres said these pledges were not enough. "We also see clearly that the world's largest emitters are not pulling their weight," he said, "and without them, our goal is unreachable." Last year's U.N. climate summit in Poland yielded a framework for reporting and monitoring emissions pledges and updating plans for further cuts. But sticking points remain, not least over an article on how to put a price on emissions, and so allow them to be traded. "I don't even want to entertain the possibility that we do not agree on article 6," Guterres said. "We are here to approve guidelines to implement article 6, not to find excuses not to do it." Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has accepted an invitation to become U.N. special envoy on climate action and climate finance from Jan. 1, Guterres said.

'War against nature must stop,' U.N. chief says before climate talks

As rising seas threaten, Philippines village sinks 4 centimetres every year

Tens of thousands of protesters, primarily in Europe and Asia, hit the streets on Friday to make a fresh call for action against global warming, hoping to raise pressure on world leaders days before a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/students-stage-global-strikes-to-pressure-un-climate-summit-265283">UN climate summit</a>.

Carrying signs that read "One planet, one fight" and "The sea is rising, so must we", thousands flocked to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate for the latest "Fridays for Future" protest inspired by 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg.

In total, about 630,000 people demonstrated across more than 500 cities in Germany, the Fridays for Future movement said.&nbsp;

In Hamburg alone, some 30,000 mainly young people gathered and another 17,000 congregated in Munich to voice alarm at rising temperatures, police said.

Thunberg, meanwhile, was on a boat sailing across the Atlantic, but tweeted a photo of herself holding a sign that said "School strike for climate."&nbsp;

Rallies took place across Europe, although on a smaller scale than during September's wave of "climate strikes" when organisers said some four million people filled city streets around the world.

Approximately 1,700 turned out in Madrid, the host city of next week's 12-day COP25 conference, which aims to encourage governments to increase their commitments to cut emissions and combat climate change.

In France, climate activists focused their anger on the "Black Friday" sales bonanza with protesters blocking a distribution centre of online retail giant Amazon outside Paris and others near Lyon and Lille.

Protesters in Paris also formed a human chain at La Defense shopping mall that prevented people from reaching stores, to highlight the climate costs of consumerism.

The Dutch branch of "Fridays for Future" said demos were taking place in around 15 cities, culminating in an evening march in Amsterdam where protesters would observe a moment's silence for victims of the climate crisis.

Several hundred young people also took to the streets of Lisbon, where Thunberg is expected to arrive shortly before making her way to Madrid.

Turnout was low in the United States and Canada, with the protest taking place during the American Thanksgiving holiday weekend. A demonstration in Washington drew about 50 people, another in New York had 100.&nbsp;

"It's important to keep showing up, keep being out there and talking to people about how this is not a problem that can go away, unless we address it head-on," said 24-year-old Frank Fritz in Washington.

New York police arrested 23 anti-consumerism protesters who staged a sit-in outside Macy's department store.

In Montreal, environmental groups distributed second-hand clothing.

"We are trying to create an eco-responsible movement against mass consumption, so we are giving away clothes for free to encourage people to consume less," protester Germain Desloges told AFP.

Toxic smoke

The latest round of global climate demonstrations kicked off in bushfire-ravaged Australia, where hundreds rallied outside the Sydney offices of the Liberal party.

The target of their ire was Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said earlier this month the suggestion that "individual actions of Australia" had an impact on the fires "doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence".

"Our government's inaction on the climate crisis has supercharged bushfires," said school strike leader Shiann Broderick, as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-protests-kick-off-in-smoke-covered-sydney-265149">Sydney</a> was once again enveloped in toxic smoke from the fires.

Australia, with a population of almost 25 million, has low carbon emissions compared with the planet's biggest polluters but is one of the world's leading coal exporters.

Protests also took place in Tokyo, where hundreds marched through the teeming Shinjuku district.

"I feel a sense of crisis because almost no one in Japan is interested," said 19-year-old student Mio Ishida.

"I was really inspired by Greta's actions."

Missed targets&nbsp;

In Delhi, about 50 school and college students marched to the environment ministry in the world's most polluted capital, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding that the government declare a climate emergency.

"This is about doing something that you believe in," said 23-year-old Saumya Chowdhury. "We want the government to acknowledge this and have a conversation on this issue with people."

India is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases and has 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world, according to a UN study.

Some 200 nations are meeting in the Spanish capital from Monday for talks on finalising the "rulebook" for the 2015 Paris climate treaty, which becomes operational in 2021.

Scientists have warned that efforts to cap warming to 1.5 Celsius are failing and that carbon emissions -- which are on the rise -- would need to fall 7.6 percent a year to meet the target.

The United Nations has reported that greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, hit a record high last year.

The UN has also warned that global temperatures are on track to rise almost 4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, which could make some places virtually uninhabitable.

Tens of thousands of protesters, primarily in Europe and Asia, hit the streets on Friday to make a fresh call for action against global warming, hoping to raise pressure on world leaders days before a UN climate summit.

Tens of thousands of protesters, primarily in Europe and Asia, hit the streets on Friday to make a fresh call for action against global warming, hoping to raise pressure on world leaders days before a UN climate summit. Carrying signs that read "One planet, one fight" and "The sea is rising, so must we", thousands flocked to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate for the latest "Fridays for Future" protest inspired by 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg. In total, about 630,000 people demonstrated across more than 500 cities in Germany, the Fridays for Future movement said. In Hamburg alone, some 30,000 mainly young people gathered and another 17,000 congregated in Munich to voice alarm at rising temperatures, police said. Thunberg, meanwhile, was on a boat sailing across the Atlantic, but tweeted a photo of herself holding a sign that said "School strike for climate." Rallies took place across Europe, although on a smaller scale than during September's wave of "climate strikes" when organisers said some four million people filled city streets around the world. Approximately 1,700 turned out in Madrid, the host city of next week's 12-day COP25 conference, which aims to encourage governments to increase their commitments to cut emissions and combat climate change. In France, climate activists focused their anger on the "Black Friday" sales bonanza with protesters blocking a distribution centre of online retail giant Amazon outside Paris and others near Lyon and Lille. Protesters in Paris also formed a human chain at La Defense shopping mall that prevented people from reaching stores, to highlight the climate costs of consumerism. The Dutch branch of "Fridays for Future" said demos were taking place in around 15 cities, culminating in an evening march in Amsterdam where protesters would observe a moment's silence for victims of the climate crisis. Several hundred young people also took to the streets of Lisbon, where Thunberg is expected to arrive shortly before making her way to Madrid. Turnout was low in the United States and Canada, with the protest taking place during the American Thanksgiving holiday weekend. A demonstration in Washington drew about 50 people, another in New York had 100. "It's important to keep showing up, keep being out there and talking to people about how this is not a problem that can go away, unless we address it head-on," said 24-year-old Frank Fritz in Washington. New York police arrested 23 anti-consumerism protesters who staged a sit-in outside Macy's department store. In Montreal, environmental groups distributed second-hand clothing. "We are trying to create an eco-responsible movement against mass consumption, so we are giving away clothes for free to encourage people to consume less," protester Germain Desloges told AFP. Toxic smoke The latest round of global climate demonstrations kicked off in bushfire-ravaged Australia, where hundreds rallied outside the Sydney offices of the Liberal party. The target of their ire was Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said earlier this month the suggestion that "individual actions of Australia" had an impact on the fires "doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence". "Our government's inaction on the climate crisis has supercharged bushfires," said school strike leader Shiann Broderick, as Sydney was once again enveloped in toxic smoke from the fires. Australia, with a population of almost 25 million, has low carbon emissions compared with the planet's biggest polluters but is one of the world's leading coal exporters. Protests also took place in Tokyo, where hundreds marched through the teeming Shinjuku district. "I feel a sense of crisis because almost no one in Japan is interested," said 19-year-old student Mio Ishida. "I was really inspired by Greta's actions." Missed targets In Delhi, about 50 school and college students marched to the environment ministry in the world's most polluted capital, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding that the government declare a climate emergency. "This is about doing something that you believe in," said 23-year-old Saumya Chowdhury. "We want the government to acknowledge this and have a conversation on this issue with people." India is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases and has 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world, according to a UN study. Some 200 nations are meeting in the Spanish capital from Monday for talks on finalising the "rulebook" for the 2015 Paris climate treaty, which becomes operational in 2021. Scientists have warned that efforts to cap warming to 1.5 Celsius are failing and that carbon emissions -- which are on the rise -- would need to fall 7.6 percent a year to meet the target. The United Nations has reported that greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, hit a record high last year. The UN has also warned that global temperatures are on track to rise almost 4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, which could make some places virtually uninhabitable.

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People across the world are organising protests in different parts calling upon those in power to act right now.

Your Story: World unites against climate change

Spain's environment minister on Friday blasted the "absolutely irresponsible attitude" of US President Donald Trump's administration regarding climate change, just days before an annual climate change conference opens in Madrid.

The United States earlier this month started the process of withdrawing from the 2015 Paris climate accord, making the world's largest economy the sole outlier from the agreement.

Trump, who took office in 2017, has also sought to block California from setting tighter standards on car emissions and moved to let states set their own standards on existing coal-fired power plants.

"We have an absolutely irresponsible attitude on the part of the Trump administration," Environment Minister Teresa Ribera said during an interview with Spanish public television.

An attitude which is "irresponsible in the eyes of the planet as a whole, because what the world's biggest economy does... affects us all, but irresponsible as well for the interests of American society," she added.

"The international community found a way to say 'no, it's important to continue to work, it's important to continue to coordinate actions', nobody is formally following President Trump, we are seeing a positive reaction."

Spain's Socialist government offered to host this year's UN climate conference, known as COP25, after the event's original host Chile withdrew last month due to deadly riots over economic inequality.

Spanish authorities expect some 25,000 participants and 1,500 journalists from around the world to attend the two-week gathering, which gets underway on Monday in Madrid.

The US will be officially out of the Paris climate accord on Nov 4, 2020, one day after a presidential election in which Trump is seeking a second term.&nbsp;

Spain's environment minister on Friday blasted the "absolutely irresponsible attitude" of US President Donald Trump's administration regarding climate change, just days before an annual climate change conference opens in Madrid.

Spain's environment minister on Friday blasted the "absolutely irresponsible attitude" of US President Donald Trump's administration regarding climate change, just days before an annual climate change conference opens in Madrid. The United States earlier this month started the process of withdrawing from the 2015 Paris climate accord, making the world's largest economy the sole outlier from the agreement. Trump, who took office in 2017, has also sought to block California from setting tighter standards on car emissions and moved to let states set their own standards on existing coal-fired power plants. "We have an absolutely irresponsible attitude on the part of the Trump administration," Environment Minister Teresa Ribera said during an interview with Spanish public television. An attitude which is "irresponsible in the eyes of the planet as a whole, because what the world's biggest economy does... affects us all, but irresponsible as well for the interests of American society," she added. "The international community found a way to say 'no, it's important to continue to work, it's important to continue to coordinate actions', nobody is formally following President Trump, we are seeing a positive reaction." Spain's Socialist government offered to host this year's UN climate conference, known as COP25, after the event's original host Chile withdrew last month due to deadly riots over economic inequality. Spanish authorities expect some 25,000 participants and 1,500 journalists from around the world to attend the two-week gathering, which gets underway on Monday in Madrid. The US will be officially out of the Paris climate accord on Nov 4, 2020, one day after a presidential election in which Trump is seeking a second term.

Spain blasts 'irresponsible' US attitude on climate change

Climate-crisis is finally getting the traction that it needed. People across the world are organizing sit-ins in different parts, calling upon those in power to act right now.

Teen activist, Greta Thunberg took to twitter urging everyone to join the climate-crisis protests.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Next global schoolstrike is on November 29th and in some countries December 6th. Please help spread the word! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fridaysforfuture?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fridaysforfuture</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y42aNiiKco">pic.twitter.com/Y42aNiiKco</a>
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1196525111278493696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Inspired by Thunberg's weekly protests, millions of young people around the world have since demanded governments to take emergency action against global warming.

Protesters gather in Tokyo for a fresh round of global protests against climate change.

Rally majorly dominated by students is being called "Friday for future" a campaign started by Greta Thunberg.

The students are urging the government to save the planet for the coming generations.

Australians kicked off the movement early in the morning and an unprecedented number of people turned up on the streets of Sydney.

Protesters are holding solidarity sit-downs and demanding action on climate change.

This comes just three days before the united nations climate change conference in Madrid.

Remember, Australia has been reeling under one of the worst bushfires the country has seen.

The data for this year isn't out yet but officials have confirmed that 2018 and 2017 were Australia's third and fourth hottest years on record respectively.

Hundreds of students and victims of Australia's latest bushfires are staging a protest as we speak.

The protesters sat outside the New South Wales Liberal party headquarters to demand the government reject any new coal, oil or gas projects.

In the Indian city of Bhubaneshwar, thousands of people took to the streets with banners on a busy Friday morning.

The people of Bhubaneshwar are calling on the government to act right now.

Climate-crisis is finally getting the traction that it needed. People across the world are organizing sit-ins in different parts, calling upon those in power to act right now.

Climate-crisis is finally getting the traction that it needed. People across the world are organizing sit-ins in different parts, calling upon those in power to act right now. Teen activist, Greta Thunberg took to twitter urging everyone to join the climate-crisis protests. Next global schoolstrike is on November 29th and in some countries December 6th. Please help spread the word! #fridaysforfuture pic.twitter.com/Y42aNiiKco — Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) November 18, 2019 × Inspired by Thunberg's weekly protests, millions of young people around the world have since demanded governments to take emergency action against global warming. Protesters gather in Tokyo for a fresh round of global protests against climate change. Rally majorly dominated by students is being called "Friday for future" a campaign started by Greta Thunberg. The students are urging the government to save the planet for the coming generations. Australians kicked off the movement early in the morning and an unprecedented number of people turned up on the streets of Sydney. Protesters are holding solidarity sit-downs and demanding action on climate change. This comes just three days before the united nations climate change conference in Madrid. Remember, Australia has been reeling under one of the worst bushfires the country has seen. The data for this year isn't out yet but officials have confirmed that 2018 and 2017 were Australia's third and fourth hottest years on record respectively. Hundreds of students and victims of Australia's latest bushfires are staging a protest as we speak. The protesters sat outside the New South Wales Liberal party headquarters to demand the government reject any new coal, oil or gas projects. In the Indian city of Bhubaneshwar, thousands of people took to the streets with banners on a busy Friday morning. The people of Bhubaneshwar are calling on the government to act right now.

Urge to curb climate change spreads like 'Wildfire' across the Globe

By Mark Maslin

The fossil fuel industry, political lobbyists, media moguls, and individuals have spent the past 30 years sowing doubt about the reality of climate change - where none exists. The latest estimate is that the world’s five largest publicly-owned oil and gas companies spend about $200 million a year on lobbying to control, delay or block binding climate policy.

Their hold on the public seems to be waning. Two recent polls suggested over 75 per cent of Americans think humans are causing climate change. School climate strikes, Extinction Rebellion protests, national governments declaring a climate emergency, improved media coverage of climate change and an increasing number of extreme weather events have all contributed to this shift. There also seems to be a renewed optimism that we can deal with the crisis.

But this means lobbying has changed, now employing more subtle and more vicious approaches – what has been termed as “climate sadism”. It is used to mock young people going on climate protests and to ridicule Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old young woman with Asperger’s, who is simply telling the scientific truth.

At such a crossroads, it is important to be able to identify the different types of denial. The below taxonomy will help you spot the different ways that are being used to convince you to delay action on climate change.

1. Science denial

This is the type of denial we are all familiar with: That the science of climate change is not settled. Deniers suggest climate change is just part of the natural cycle. Or that climate models are unreliable and too sensitive to carbon dioxide.

Some even suggest that CO₂ is such a small part of the atmosphere it cannot have a large heating affect. Or that climate scientists are fixing the data to show the climate is changing (a global conspiracy that would take thousands of scientists in more than 100 countries to pull off).

All these arguments are false and there is a clear consensus among scientists about the causes of climate change. The climate models that predict global temperature rises have remained very similar over the last 30 years despite the huge increase in complexity, showing it is a robust outcome of the science.

The shift in public opinion means that undermining the science will increasingly have little or no effect. So climate change deniers are switching to new tactics. One of Britain’s leading deniers, Nigel Lawson, the former UK chancellor, now agrees that humans are causing climate change, despite having founded the sceptic Global Warming Policy Foundation in 2009.

It says it is “open-minded on the contested science of global warming, [but] is deeply concerned about the costs and other implications of many of the policies currently being advocated”. In other words, climate change is now about the cost, not the science.

2. Economic denial

The idea that climate change is too expensive to fix is a more subtle form of climate denial. Economists, however, suggest we could fix climate change now by spending 1 per cent of world GDP. Perhaps even less if the cost savings from improved human health and expansion of the global green economy are taken into account. But if we don’t act now, by 2050 it could cost over 20 per cent of world GDP.

We should also remember that in 2018 the world generated $86,000,000,000,000 and every year this World GDP grows by 3.5 per cent. So setting aside just 1 per cent to deal with climate change would make little overall difference and would save the world a huge amount of money. What the climate change deniers also forget to tell you is that they are protecting a fossil fuel industry that receives $5.2 trillion in annual subsidies – which includes subsidised supply costs, tax breaks and environmental costs. This amounts to 6 per cent of world GDP.

The International Monetary Fund estimates that efficient fossil fuel pricing would lower global carbon emissions by 28 per cent, fossil fuel air pollution deaths by 46 per cent, and increase government revenue by 3.8 per cent of the country’s GDP.

3. Humanitarian denial 
​​​​​​​ 
Climate change deniers also argue that climate change is good for us. They suggest longer, warmer summers in the temperate zone will make farming more productive. These gains, however, are often offset by the drier summers and increased the frequency of heatwaves in those same areas. For example, the 2010 “Moscow” heatwave killed 11,000 people, devastated the Russian wheat harvest and increased global food prices.

More than 40 per cent of the world’s population also lives in the Tropics – where from both a human health prospective and an increase in desertification no one wants summer temperatures to rise.

Deniers also point out that plants need atmospheric carbon dioxide to grow so having more of it acts like a fertiliser. This is indeed true and the land biosphere has been absorbing about a quarter of our carbon dioxide pollution every year. Another quarter of our emissions is absorbed by the oceans. But losing massive areas of natural vegetation through deforestation and changes in land use completely nullifies this minor fertilisation effect.

Climate change deniers will tell you that more people die of the cold than heat, so warmer winters will be a good thing. This is deeply misleading. Vulnerable people die of the cold because of poor housing and not being able to afford to heat their homes. Society, not climate, kills them.

This argument is also factually incorrect. In the US, for example, heat-related deaths are four times higher than cold-related ones. This may even be an underestimate as many heat-related deaths are recorded by cause of death such as heart failure, stroke, or respiratory failure, all of which are exacerbated by excessive heat.

4. Political denial 
​​​​​​​ 
Climate change deniers argue we cannot take action because other countries are not taking action. But not all countries are equally guilty of causing current climate change. For example, 25 per cent of the human-produced CO₂ in the atmosphere is generated by the US, another 22 per cent is produced by the EU. Africa produces just under 5 per cent.

Given the historic legacy of greenhouse gas pollution, developed countries have an ethical responsibility to lead the way in cutting emissions. But ultimately, all countries need to act because if we want to minimise the effects of climate change then the world must go carbon zero by 2050.

Deniers will also tell you that there are problems to fix closer to home without bothering with global issues. But many of the solutions to climate change are win-win and will improve the lives of normal people. Switching to renewable energy and electric vehicles, for example, reduces air pollution, which improves people’s overall health.

Developing a green economy provides economic benefits and creates jobs. Improving the environment and reforestation provides protection from extreme weather events and can, in turn, improve food and water security.

5. Crisis denial

The final piece of climate change denial is the argument that we should not rush into changing things, especially given the uncertainty raised by the other four areas of denial above. Deniers argue that climate change is not as bad as scientists make out. We will be much richer in the future and better able to fix climate change. They also play on our emotions as many of us don’t like change and can feel we are living in the best of times – especially if we are richer or in power.

But similarly, hollow arguments were used in the past to delay ending slavery, granting the vote to women, ending colonial rule, ending segregation, decriminalising homosexuality, bolstering worker’s rights and environmental regulations, allowing same sex marriages and banning smoking.

The fundamental question is why are we allowing the people with the most privilege and power to convince us to delay saving our planet from climate change?

 
(Mark Maslin is Professor of Earth System Science, UCL) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-five-corrupt-pillars-of-climate-change-denial-122893"> original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Mark Maslin The fossil fuel industry, political lobbyists, media moguls, and individuals have spent the past 30 years sowing doubt about the reality of climate change - where none exists.

By Mark Maslin The fossil fuel industry, political lobbyists, media moguls, and individuals have spent the past 30 years sowing doubt about the reality of climate change - where none exists. The latest estimate is that the world’s five largest publicly-owned oil and gas companies spend about $200 million a year on lobbying to control, delay or block binding climate policy. Their hold on the public seems to be waning. Two recent polls suggested over 75 per cent of Americans think humans are causing climate change. School climate strikes, Extinction Rebellion protests, national governments declaring a climate emergency, improved media coverage of climate change and an increasing number of extreme weather events have all contributed to this shift. There also seems to be a renewed optimism that we can deal with the crisis. But this means lobbying has changed, now employing more subtle and more vicious approaches – what has been termed as “climate sadism”. It is used to mock young people going on climate protests and to ridicule Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old young woman with Asperger’s, who is simply telling the scientific truth. At such a crossroads, it is important to be able to identify the different types of denial. The below taxonomy will help you spot the different ways that are being used to convince you to delay action on climate change. 1. Science denial This is the type of denial we are all familiar with: That the science of climate change is not settled. Deniers suggest climate change is just part of the natural cycle. Or that climate models are unreliable and too sensitive to carbon dioxide. Some even suggest that CO₂ is such a small part of the atmosphere it cannot have a large heating affect. Or that climate scientists are fixing the data to show the climate is changing (a global conspiracy that would take thousands of scientists in more than 100 countries to pull off). All these arguments are false and there is a clear consensus among scientists about the causes of climate change. The climate models that predict global temperature rises have remained very similar over the last 30 years despite the huge increase in complexity, showing it is a robust outcome of the science. The shift in public opinion means that undermining the science will increasingly have little or no effect. So climate change deniers are switching to new tactics. One of Britain’s leading deniers, Nigel Lawson, the former UK chancellor, now agrees that humans are causing climate change, despite having founded the sceptic Global Warming Policy Foundation in 2009. It says it is “open-minded on the contested science of global warming, [but] is deeply concerned about the costs and other implications of many of the policies currently being advocated”. In other words, climate change is now about the cost, not the science. 2. Economic denial The idea that climate change is too expensive to fix is a more subtle form of climate denial. Economists, however, suggest we could fix climate change now by spending 1 per cent of world GDP. Perhaps even less if the cost savings from improved human health and expansion of the global green economy are taken into account. But if we don’t act now, by 2050 it could cost over 20 per cent of world GDP. We should also remember that in 2018 the world generated $86,000,000,000,000 and every year this World GDP grows by 3.5 per cent. So setting aside just 1 per cent to deal with climate change would make little overall difference and would save the world a huge amount of money. What the climate change deniers also forget to tell you is that they are protecting a fossil fuel industry that receives $5.2 trillion in annual subsidies – which includes subsidised supply costs, tax breaks and environmental costs. This amounts to 6 per cent of world GDP. The International Monetary Fund estimates that efficient fossil fuel pricing would lower global carbon emissions by 28 per cent, fossil fuel air pollution deaths by 46 per cent, and increase government revenue by 3.8 per cent of the country’s GDP. 3. Humanitarian denial Climate change deniers also argue that climate change is good for us. They suggest longer, warmer summers in the temperate zone will make farming more productive. These gains, however, are often offset by the drier summers and increased the frequency of heatwaves in those same areas. For example, the 2010 “Moscow” heatwave killed 11,000 people, devastated the Russian wheat harvest and increased global food prices. More than 40 per cent of the world’s population also lives in the Tropics – where from both a human health prospective and an increase in desertification no one wants summer temperatures to rise. Deniers also point out that plants need atmospheric carbon dioxide to grow so having more of it acts like a fertiliser. This is indeed true and the land biosphere has been absorbing about a quarter of our carbon dioxide pollution every year. Another quarter of our emissions is absorbed by the oceans. But losing massive areas of natural vegetation through deforestation and changes in land use completely nullifies this minor fertilisation effect. Climate change deniers will tell you that more people die of the cold than heat, so warmer winters will be a good thing. This is deeply misleading. Vulnerable people die of the cold because of poor housing and not being able to afford to heat their homes. Society, not climate, kills them. This argument is also factually incorrect. In the US, for example, heat-related deaths are four times higher than cold-related ones. This may even be an underestimate as many heat-related deaths are recorded by cause of death such as heart failure, stroke, or respiratory failure, all of which are exacerbated by excessive heat. 4. Political denial Climate change deniers argue we cannot take action because other countries are not taking action. But not all countries are equally guilty of causing current climate change. For example, 25 per cent of the human-produced CO₂ in the atmosphere is generated by the US, another 22 per cent is produced by the EU. Africa produces just under 5 per cent. Given the historic legacy of greenhouse gas pollution, developed countries have an ethical responsibility to lead the way in cutting emissions. But ultimately, all countries need to act because if we want to minimise the effects of climate change then the world must go carbon zero by 2050. Deniers will also tell you that there are problems to fix closer to home without bothering with global issues. But many of the solutions to climate change are win-win and will improve the lives of normal people. Switching to renewable energy and electric vehicles, for example, reduces air pollution, which improves people’s overall health. Developing a green economy provides economic benefits and creates jobs. Improving the environment and reforestation provides protection from extreme weather events and can, in turn, improve food and water security. 5. Crisis denial The final piece of climate change denial is the argument that we should not rush into changing things, especially given the uncertainty raised by the other four areas of denial above. Deniers argue that climate change is not as bad as scientists make out. We will be much richer in the future and better able to fix climate change. They also play on our emotions as many of us don’t like change and can feel we are living in the best of times – especially if we are richer or in power. But similarly, hollow arguments were used in the past to delay ending slavery, granting the vote to women, ending colonial rule, ending segregation, decriminalising homosexuality, bolstering worker’s rights and environmental regulations, allowing same sex marriages and banning smoking. The fundamental question is why are we allowing the people with the most privilege and power to convince us to delay saving our planet from climate change? (Mark Maslin is Professor of Earth System Science, UCL) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The corrupt pillars of climate change denial

Almost half of all Europeans fear <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/climate-change-hits-india-much-work-needs-to-be-done-262038">climate change</a> more than losing a job or of a terrorist attack, a study by the European Investment Bank (EIB) showed on Thursday as EU lawmakers declared a “climate emergency”.&nbsp;

The symbolic vote by lawmakers was designed to pressure for action against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/bearing-brunt-of-climate-change-240729">global warming</a> at an upcoming United Nations summit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/greta-thunberg-how-one-school-girls-climate-change-campaign-recruited-millions-249747">In Pictures: Greta Thunberg — How one school girl's climate change campaign recruited millions</a>

The EIB survey of 30,000 respondents from 30 countries, including China and the United States, showed 47% of Europeans saw climate change as the number one threat in their lives, above unemployment, large scale migration and concerns about terrorism.

“European citizens are highly concerned about climate change and its impact on their everyday life and future,” said Emma Navarro, EIB Vice-President responsible for climate action and the environment.

“Interestingly, many of them are optimistic about the possibility to reverse it. Unfortunately, science says otherwise. We have one shot at limiting global warming and mitigating its effects,” she said.

The EIB, owned by European Union governments, is the world’s largest international public lending institution and has the task of financing climate-change-related investment that is a priority for the new European Commission.

The survey, the first of four planned by the EIB, showed the level of concern about climate change was even higher in China than the EU, with 73% of respondents seeing it as the biggest threat to society, compared to 39% in the United States, where most people worried more about access to health services.

The study also showed that 41% of young Europeans between the age of 15 and 29, especially from southern countries like Spain, Greece and France thought they would have to move to another country because of the changing climate.

“Overall, 82% of Europeans report that climate change has an impact on their everyday lives, a perception that goes up to 98% in China and 76% in the United States,” the study said.

The incoming European Commission, which will start on Dec 1, wants to make the whole of the European Union an area that is neutral in terms of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 after slashing emissions by 50% by 2030. It still requires the consent of all EU governments before such a target becomes binding, but some countries which still heavily depend on coal like Poland, oppose such ambition.

Almost half of all Europeans fear climate change more than losing a job or of a terrorist attack, a study by the European Investment Bank (EIB) showed on Thursday as EU lawmakers declared a “climate emergency”.

Almost half of all Europeans fear climate change more than losing a job or of a terrorist attack, a study by the European Investment Bank (EIB) showed on Thursday as EU lawmakers declared a “climate emergency”. The symbolic vote by lawmakers was designed to pressure for action against global warming at an upcoming United Nations summit. In Pictures: Greta Thunberg — How one school girl's climate change campaign recruited millions The EIB survey of 30,000 respondents from 30 countries, including China and the United States, showed 47% of Europeans saw climate change as the number one threat in their lives, above unemployment, large scale migration and concerns about terrorism. “European citizens are highly concerned about climate change and its impact on their everyday life and future,” said Emma Navarro, EIB Vice-President responsible for climate action and the environment. “Interestingly, many of them are optimistic about the possibility to reverse it. Unfortunately, science says otherwise. We have one shot at limiting global warming and mitigating its effects,” she said. The EIB, owned by European Union governments, is the world’s largest international public lending institution and has the task of financing climate-change-related investment that is a priority for the new European Commission. The survey, the first of four planned by the EIB, showed the level of concern about climate change was even higher in China than the EU, with 73% of respondents seeing it as the biggest threat to society, compared to 39% in the United States, where most people worried more about access to health services. The study also showed that 41% of young Europeans between the age of 15 and 29, especially from southern countries like Spain, Greece and France thought they would have to move to another country because of the changing climate. “Overall, 82% of Europeans report that climate change has an impact on their everyday lives, a perception that goes up to 98% in China and 76% in the United States,” the study said. The incoming European Commission, which will start on Dec 1, wants to make the whole of the European Union an area that is neutral in terms of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 after slashing emissions by 50% by 2030. It still requires the consent of all EU governments before such a target becomes binding, but some countries which still heavily depend on coal like Poland, oppose such ambition.

Climate change scares Europeans more than terrorism, unemployment or migration

US: Colorado witnesses historic snowfall, 500 flights cancelled & 350 delayed. Watch video to know more.

US: Colorado witnesses historic snowfall, 500 flights cancelled & 350 delayed

Beijing on Wednesday accused developed countries including the US of doing too little to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/limiting-global-warming-to-15-will-require-a-social-transformation-170375">curb global warming</a>, ahead of a UN summit discussing controversial issues including<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-global-warming-threat-continues-to-grow-250647"> climate compensation</a>.

China is the world's second-largest economy and the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide but has repeatedly argued that developed nations should lead on tackling international climate obligations.

"Developed countries' insufficient political will to provide support" is the "biggest problem" currently facing international climate efforts, said Zhao Yingmin, vice-minister of ecology and environment, at a press conference Wednesday.

An environment ministry report released at the briefing also criticised the US — currently in the process of pulling out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on global warming.

"These unilateral behaviours seriously harm the global community's willingness and trust in tackling climate change together," the report says.

The US generated more oil and gas than any other nation last year and is the world's number two coal producer after China.

Zhao called for developed countries to honour financial commitments including providing $100 billion to poorer states harmed by climate change.

The $100 billion -- which China has said it is entitled to part of -- was a nonbinding accompaniment to the Paris Agreement and was the annual amount that rich countries pledged to muster by 2020.

The incoming European Commission chief has called for the EU to adopt a carbon border tax that would impose higher tariffs on imported goods made through greenhouse gas-intensive processes.

But China's report said carbon border taxes currently being considered by "some developed countries" would "seriously harm" the global community's willingness to tackle the issue.

Zhao was speaking a week ahead of a Madrid summit to discuss the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change — based on the principle all nations must give proportionately to mitigate climate change.

The UN said Tuesday the world will miss its chance to avert climate disaster without an immediate and all-but-impossible fall in fossil fuel emissions.

Climate groups said Monday the US and Europe bear more than half the cost of repairing the existing environmental damage, based on their historic greenhouse gas emissions.

Beijing said Wednesday it had reduced carbon emissions intensity by 45 per cent between 2005 and 2018.

But China's absolute carbon emissions have continued to rise, according to Tuesday's UN report.

A separate study earlier this month warned that Beijing's planned coal powerplants were equivalent to all of the EU's current generating capacity.

Beijing on Wednesday accused developed countries including the US of doing too little to curb global warming, ahead of a UN summit discussing controversial issues including climate compensation.

Beijing on Wednesday accused developed countries including the US of doing too little to curb global warming, ahead of a UN summit discussing controversial issues including climate compensation. China is the world's second-largest economy and the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide but has repeatedly argued that developed nations should lead on tackling international climate obligations. "Developed countries' insufficient political will to provide support" is the "biggest problem" currently facing international climate efforts, said Zhao Yingmin, vice-minister of ecology and environment, at a press conference Wednesday. An environment ministry report released at the briefing also criticised the US — currently in the process of pulling out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on global warming. "These unilateral behaviours seriously harm the global community's willingness and trust in tackling climate change together," the report says. The US generated more oil and gas than any other nation last year and is the world's number two coal producer after China. Zhao called for developed countries to honour financial commitments including providing $100 billion to poorer states harmed by climate change. The $100 billion -- which China has said it is entitled to part of -- was a nonbinding accompaniment to the Paris Agreement and was the annual amount that rich countries pledged to muster by 2020. The incoming European Commission chief has called for the EU to adopt a carbon border tax that would impose higher tariffs on imported goods made through greenhouse gas-intensive processes. But China's report said carbon border taxes currently being considered by "some developed countries" would "seriously harm" the global community's willingness to tackle the issue. Zhao was speaking a week ahead of a Madrid summit to discuss the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change — based on the principle all nations must give proportionately to mitigate climate change. The UN said Tuesday the world will miss its chance to avert climate disaster without an immediate and all-but-impossible fall in fossil fuel emissions. Climate groups said Monday the US and Europe bear more than half the cost of repairing the existing environmental damage, based on their historic greenhouse gas emissions. Beijing said Wednesday it had reduced carbon emissions intensity by 45 per cent between 2005 and 2018. But China's absolute carbon emissions have continued to rise, according to Tuesday's UN report. A separate study earlier this month warned that Beijing's planned coal powerplants were equivalent to all of the EU's current generating capacity.

Developed countries lack 'political will' on climate goals: China

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../china-aims-to-boost-revenue-for-renewable- power-firms-264353">Beijing</a> on Wednesday accused developed countries including the US of doing too little to curb global warming, ahead of a UN summit discussing controversial issues including climate compensation.

China is the world's second-largest economy and the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide but has repeatedly argued that developed nations should lead on tackling international climate obligations.

"Developed countries' insufficient political will to provide support" is the "biggest problem" currently facing international climate efforts, said Zhao Yingmin, vice-minister of ecology and environment, at a press conference Wednesday.

An environment ministry report released at the briefing also criticised the US,&nbsp;currently in the process of pulling out of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../greenhouse-emissions-hit-new-record-could- bring-destructive-effects-un-264634">2015 Paris Agreement</a> on global warming.

"These unilateral behaviours seriously harm the global community's willingness and trust in tackling climate change together," the report says.

The US generated more oil and gas than any other nation last year and is the world's number two coal producer after China.

Zhao called for developed countries to honour financial commitments including providing $100 billion to poorer states harmed by climate change.

The $100 billion,&nbsp;which China has said it is entitled to part of,&nbsp;was a nonbinding accompaniment to the Paris Agreement and was the annual amount that rich countries pledged to muster by 2020.

The European Commission has called for the EU to adopt a carbon border tax that would impose higher tariffs on imported goods made through greenhouse gas-intensive processes.

But China's report said carbon border taxes currently being considered by "some developed countries" would "seriously harm" the global community's willingness to tackle the issue.

Zhao was speaking a week ahead of a Madrid summit to discuss the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change -- based on the principle all nations must give proportionately to mitigate climate change.

The UN said Tuesday the world will miss its chance to avert climate disaster without an immediate and all-but-impossible fall in fossil fuel emissions.

Climate groups said Monday the US and Europe bear more than half the cost of repairing the existing environmental damage, based on their historic greenhouse gas emissions.

Beijing said Wednesday it had reduced carbon emissions intensity by 45 percent between 2005 and 2018.

But China's absolute carbon emissions have continued to rise, according to Tuesday's UN report.

A separate study earlier this month warned that Beijing's planned coal powerplants were equivalent to all of the EU's current generating capacity.

Beijing on Wednesday accused developed countries including the US of doing too little to curb global warming, ahead of a UN summit discussing controversial issues including climate compensation. China is the world's second-largest economy and the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide but has repeatedly argued that developed nations should lead on tackling international climate obligations. "Developed countries' insufficient political will to provide support" is the "biggest problem" currently facing international climate efforts, said Zhao Yingmin, vice-minister of ecology and environment, at a press conference Wednesday. An environment ministry report released at the briefing also criticised the US, currently in the process of pulling out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on global warming. "These unilateral behaviours seriously harm the global community's willingness and trust in tackling climate change together," the report says. The US generated more oil and gas than any other nation last year and is the world's number two coal producer after China. Zhao called for developed countries to honour financial commitments including providing $100 billion to poorer states harmed by climate change. The $100 billion, which China has said it is entitled to part of, was a nonbinding accompaniment to the Paris Agreement and was the annual amount that rich countries pledged to muster by 2020. The European Commission has called for the EU to adopt a carbon border tax that would impose higher tariffs on imported goods made through greenhouse gas-intensive processes. But China's report said carbon border taxes currently being considered by "some developed countries" would "seriously harm" the global community's willingness to tackle the issue. Zhao was speaking a week ahead of a Madrid summit to discuss the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change -- based on the principle all nations must give proportionately to mitigate climate change. The UN said Tuesday the world will miss its chance to avert climate disaster without an immediate and all-but-impossible fall in fossil fuel emissions. Climate groups said Monday the US and Europe bear more than half the cost of repairing the existing environmental damage, based on their historic greenhouse gas emissions. Beijing said Wednesday it had reduced carbon emissions intensity by 45 percent between 2005 and 2018. But China's absolute carbon emissions have continued to rise, according to Tuesday's UN report. A separate study earlier this month warned that Beijing's planned coal powerplants were equivalent to all of the EU's current generating capacity.

China says developed countries lack 'political will' on climate goals

German conservative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commissions-president-elect-faces-final-vote-264765">Ursula von der Leyen</a> told the European Parliament on Wednesday that fighting climate change was an "existential" challenge and she would ensure money was provided to help adapt economies to lower fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking ahead of a final vote in the chamber to confirm her as European Commission president from December&nbsp;1, and also confirm the other Commission members, von der Leyen said: "We don't have a moment to waste any more on fighting climate change."

She said that the transition towards "climate neutrality" by mid-century had to be achieved in a "sustainable way", meaning it must keep onboard workers, regions, and governments that still rely on coal for jobs, energy needs, and economic growth.

"It must be inclusive or it will not happen at all," she said.

German conservative Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday that fighting climate change was an "existential" challenge and she would ensure money was provided to help adapt economies to lower fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

German conservative Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday that fighting climate change was an "existential" challenge and she would ensure money was provided to help adapt economies to lower fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking ahead of a final vote in the chamber to confirm her as European Commission president from December 1, and also confirm the other Commission members, von der Leyen said: "We don't have a moment to waste any more on fighting climate change." She said that the transition towards "climate neutrality" by mid-century had to be achieved in a "sustainable way", meaning it must keep onboard workers, regions, and governments that still rely on coal for jobs, energy needs, and economic growth. "It must be inclusive or it will not happen at all," she said.

Incoming European union chief vows to fight 'existential' climate risks

Climate Change: Another Year Of Record Gas Emissions.

Gravitas: Climate Change: The Inconvenient Truth

People all around the world are protesting against climate change. It is a topic that has dominated most political debates but somehow, we are falling short of measures to take action.&nbsp;

The United Nations has called a global outlook towards climate change bleak. Expressing its concern, UN said that drastic action is the only way to avoid the worst effects of climate change.&nbsp;

An annual nations environment program report states that countries have collectively failed to stop the growth in Global GHG emissions, meaning that deeper and faster cuts are now required.

Let's look at more startling findings of the report.Greenhouse gas emissions surged to a record level last year.

The report names the united states as one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.Brazil and Japan have fallen short of their own targets of limiting the emission of greenhouse gases.&nbsp;

Nations must halve their 2018 pollution levels by 2030 to meet the Paris agreement goal of limiting heating to 1.5 degrees celsius.

Let's look at how G20 countries have performed so far in reaching their goal of 2050 emission plans.&nbsp;G20 countries constitute 78 per cent of global emissions.&nbsp;Several plans have not been acted upon by the G20 countries.&nbsp;

In 2009, G20 nations agreed to phase out fossil-fuel subsidies, none of the countries has set a deadline for doing so.&nbsp;

Despite scientists' pleas to zero-out emissions, none of the G20 countries has managed to plan out a timeline for achieving it.&nbsp;They are not doing enough towards reducing emission levels.

The latest report has concluded that many countries are not on track yet. In fact, some countries have not even set their goals high enough.&nbsp;

Phasing out of coal has been emphasized upon. Investment in nature is also crucial as it will give us the opportunity to provide a buffer.&nbsp;

The report also said that if we work in these 10 years, we will get time from nature.

Remember, this report is one of the several studies released ahead of the UN Climate talks which are going to take place in Madrid next week.&nbsp;

The talks are aimed at spurring world leaders to act on limiting climate change.

People all around the world are protesting against climate change. It is a topic that has dominated most political debates but somehow, we are falling short of measures to take action.

People all around the world are protesting against climate change. It is a topic that has dominated most political debates but somehow, we are falling short of measures to take action. The United Nations has called a global outlook towards climate change bleak. Expressing its concern, UN said that drastic action is the only way to avoid the worst effects of climate change. An annual nations environment program report states that countries have collectively failed to stop the growth in Global GHG emissions, meaning that deeper and faster cuts are now required. Let's look at more startling findings of the report.Greenhouse gas emissions surged to a record level last year. The report names the united states as one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.Brazil and Japan have fallen short of their own targets of limiting the emission of greenhouse gases. Nations must halve their 2018 pollution levels by 2030 to meet the Paris agreement goal of limiting heating to 1.5 degrees celsius. Let's look at how G20 countries have performed so far in reaching their goal of 2050 emission plans. G20 countries constitute 78 per cent of global emissions. Several plans have not been acted upon by the G20 countries. In 2009, G20 nations agreed to phase out fossil-fuel subsidies, none of the countries has set a deadline for doing so. Despite scientists' pleas to zero-out emissions, none of the G20 countries has managed to plan out a timeline for achieving it. They are not doing enough towards reducing emission levels. The latest report has concluded that many countries are not on track yet. In fact, some countries have not even set their goals high enough. Phasing out of coal has been emphasized upon. Investment in nature is also crucial as it will give us the opportunity to provide a buffer. The report also said that if we work in these 10 years, we will get time from nature. Remember, this report is one of the several studies released ahead of the UN Climate talks which are going to take place in Madrid next week. The talks are aimed at spurring world leaders to act on limiting climate change.

Greenhouse gas levels hit new ‘record high’: United Nations report

Then and now: Ice retreat in Switzerland swallows 500 glaciers

At a unique retreat, disconnected from the power grid and municipal water supply, Meraj and Johan meet a remarkable family that moved from Bengaluru to a remote spot within the forest of Binsar in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. Here they discover that it's entirely possible to lead a sustainable life without destroying the planet. A critical message, if there ever was one, as climate change manifests its grim reality on our lives.

WION Traveller S3 Episode 18--Off the grid in Binsar

Refugee crisis is one of the most dangerous problems in today's world and climate change is a major cause for displacement of people.&nbsp;

Refugees are political hot potatoes and their stories are unfortunate. Imagine their plight and the kind of extremes they go to, at the risk of life.&nbsp;

According to the United Nations (UN), there are 13.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and other countries. Turkey wants to send them back to Syria, Erdogan threatens to send them to Europe.

Human weapons - that's what these displaced people have become. In India, we're debating the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and the fears over a refugee crisis.

We could go on, but here's the thing - refugees are already a massive problem and add to it, climate refugees.

What can and should we do about this? On WION Edit, that's what we discuss. Because prevention is always better than cure and the time to prevent climate change is fast running out.

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, natural disasters have left 18 million people homeless in 2017. This is more than 60 per cent of global displacements.

Furthermore, more than a billion people live in areas with 'very high' or 'high' climate change exposure. Eight conflict-ridden countries have 10 per cent people exposed to high climate change.

In a few years, most of them could become refugees and the magnitude is just a part of the problem. Climate change is a risk multiplier. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Natural disasters can trigger wars, conflicts and unrest. Peace and climate action are not standalone entities, they are related to each other directly.

So, it's not just the economic cost, the social cost of climate change can change the world as we know it and for the worse. Resource crunch is not a simple issue. Species have become extinct due to resource crunch and human beings, all said and done, are just another species.

So how do we prevent it? The answer lies in the question - who is trying to prevent it? 
&nbsp; 
Yes, several countries including India have taken steps, but these are baby steps, at best. Is climate change is a serious political issue anywhere in the world?

The political class is intent on continuing with the status quo and activists are scared about the future of humanity. Sadly, there has been no co-ordinated attempt to tackle climate change across the world. Yes, the wealthy, industrialised countries produce the bulk of carbon emissions.

And the developing and under-developed countries are paying the price, but when people ask questions - the leaders point fingers at each other.

Climate change has to become the number 1 election issue. Why? Because we are not equipped to handle the consequences of climate change.

India particularly needs to act faster than others. In five years, India is projected to become the world's most populated country.

If we face a refugee crisis, the society and economy will face huge risks. India has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, but are the environmental laws strong enough?

Are politicians making tangible promises matched by data to address the issue? This is an urgent crisis and the faster way to get governments to act is this&nbsp; - vote on the basis of climate action.

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world) 
&nbsp;

Refugee crisis is one of the most dangerous problems in today's world and climate change is a major cause for displacement of people. Refugees are political hot potatoes and their stories are unfortunate.

Refugee crisis is one of the most dangerous problems in today's world and climate change is a major cause for displacement of people. Refugees are political hot potatoes and their stories are unfortunate. Imagine their plight and the kind of extremes they go to, at the risk of life. According to the United Nations (UN), there are 13.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and other countries. Turkey wants to send them back to Syria, Erdogan threatens to send them to Europe. Human weapons - that's what these displaced people have become. In India, we're debating the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and the fears over a refugee crisis. We could go on, but here's the thing - refugees are already a massive problem and add to it, climate refugees. What can and should we do about this? On WION Edit, that's what we discuss. Because prevention is always better than cure and the time to prevent climate change is fast running out. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, natural disasters have left 18 million people homeless in 2017. This is more than 60 per cent of global displacements. Furthermore, more than a billion people live in areas with 'very high' or 'high' climate change exposure. Eight conflict-ridden countries have 10 per cent people exposed to high climate change. In a few years, most of them could become refugees and the magnitude is just a part of the problem. Climate change is a risk multiplier. Natural disasters can trigger wars, conflicts and unrest. Peace and climate action are not standalone entities, they are related to each other directly. So, it's not just the economic cost, the social cost of climate change can change the world as we know it and for the worse. Resource crunch is not a simple issue. Species have become extinct due to resource crunch and human beings, all said and done, are just another species. So how do we prevent it? The answer lies in the question - who is trying to prevent it? Yes, several countries including India have taken steps, but these are baby steps, at best. Is climate change is a serious political issue anywhere in the world? The political class is intent on continuing with the status quo and activists are scared about the future of humanity. Sadly, there has been no co-ordinated attempt to tackle climate change across the world. Yes, the wealthy, industrialised countries produce the bulk of carbon emissions. And the developing and under-developed countries are paying the price, but when people ask questions - the leaders point fingers at each other. Climate change has to become the number 1 election issue. Why? Because we are not equipped to handle the consequences of climate change. India particularly needs to act faster than others. In five years, India is projected to become the world's most populated country. If we face a refugee crisis, the society and economy will face huge risks. India has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, but are the environmental laws strong enough? Are politicians making tangible promises matched by data to address the issue? This is an urgent crisis and the faster way to get governments to act is this - vote on the basis of climate action. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Need to make climate action an election issue

When Climate Change Meets Refugee Crisis.

WION Edit: Climate change + refugee crisis = Socio-economic emergency

Six Of The World's Biggest Cities Face Risks Of Extinction Due To Climate Change.

Climate Change: Several Major Cities Could Drown By 2050 | Gravitas

Do you know, What is the cost of 'Climate Change'? Let's understand in Your Story video with Anchor Alyson Le Grange on WION.

Your Story: What is the cost of 'climate change'?

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hazardous-bushfire-smoke-blankets-sydney-residents-warned-to-stay-inside-263070">fire danger</a> was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities.

Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives and destroyed more than 500 homes since mid-October, with climate change and unseasonably hot, dry conditions fuelling the unprecedented blazes.

Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with a so-called "Code Red",&nbsp;the highest possible fire risk in Victoria,&nbsp;being declared in the state's northwest for the first time in a decade.

"What that means is that if we see fires in those areas they will be fast-moving, they will be unpredictable, they will be uncontrollable," emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters.

Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington told people living in rural areas to leave for the safety of cities.

"We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said.

"There is a good chance if a fire occurs that your home will be destroyed."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-braces-for-heavy-winds-lightning-as-bushfire-threat-lingers-262193">The fire danger was also elevated</a> to "severe" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, &nbsp;where a total fire ban was declared.

Two bushfires in the state's northeast did not pose an immediate threat to residents, the Tasmania Fire Service said.

For the second time in two days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels.

Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-hazardous-thick-layer-of-bushfire-smoke-covered-sydney-263107/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia&nbsp;more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday.&nbsp;

A South Australia Country Fire Service spokeswoman said all of those blazes had been brought under control or extinguished by Thursday, with the exception of a major fire on the Yorke Peninsula that had come perilously close to a small town.

Conditions were expected to ease in the coming days in South Australia, where the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-forecast-rains-to-prolong-australian-bushfires-threat-261992">Bushfire-prone Australia</a> has experienced a horror start to its fire season, which scientists say is beginning earlier and becoming more extreme as climate change pushes temperatures higher and saps moisture from the environment after months of severe drought.

Growing calls to curb fossil fuels and drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions are being ignored by the country's conservative government, which is eager to protect its lucrative mining industry.

The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

The fire danger was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities.

The fire danger was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities. Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives and destroyed more than 500 homes since mid-October, with climate change and unseasonably hot, dry conditions fuelling the unprecedented blazes. Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with a so-called "Code Red", the highest possible fire risk in Victoria, being declared in the state's northwest for the first time in a decade. "What that means is that if we see fires in those areas they will be fast-moving, they will be unpredictable, they will be uncontrollable," emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters. Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington told people living in rural areas to leave for the safety of cities. "We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said. "There is a good chance if a fire occurs that your home will be destroyed." The fire danger was also elevated to "severe" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, where a total fire ban was declared. Two bushfires in the state's northeast did not pose an immediate threat to residents, the Tasmania Fire Service said. For the second time in two days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels. Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday. A South Australia Country Fire Service spokeswoman said all of those blazes had been brought under control or extinguished by Thursday, with the exception of a major fire on the Yorke Peninsula that had come perilously close to a small town. Conditions were expected to ease in the coming days in South Australia, where the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons. Bushfire-prone Australia has experienced a horror start to its fire season, which scientists say is beginning earlier and becoming more extreme as climate change pushes temperatures higher and saps moisture from the environment after months of severe drought. Growing calls to curb fossil fuels and drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions are being ignored by the country's conservative government, which is eager to protect its lucrative mining industry. The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Bushfire threat spreads, wreaks havoc in Australia as Sydney chokes

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