Fred Ferguson Antoine
Stories (5/0)
Morocco Earthquake
In Morocco, the situation is dire. the ongoing search and rescue mission in Morocco following a devastating earthquake. Despite some hopeful scenes of aid workers arriving in small villages with provisions and shelter, the focus remains on finding survivors. Regrettably, the prospects of locating more survivors seem to be diminishing. Reports from Morocco indicate that the use of sniffer dogs has yielded few signs of life. Nevertheless, the search efforts persist. The earthquake in Morocco claimed the lives of 2,900 individuals and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Our correspondent, Tom Bitman from the BBC, is currently in the Atlas Mountains with UK Aid workers assisting in the search for survivors. In a recent interview, he described the desperate conditions faced by the earthquake survivors, who have been enduring their fifth night outdoors. The scarcity of proper shelter is a significant concern, as people rely on makeshift solutions such as blankets, tarps, pieces of wood, and tree branches for protection against the chilly nights in the high Atlas Mountains. This additional risk compounds the trauma already experienced by the survivors since last Friday's events.
By Fred Ferguson Antoine 8 months ago in Earth
Libya Floor
In Libya, a catastrophic flood in the eastern city of Darna has resulted in at least six thousand feared dead, with thousands more missing. The flood was caused by torrential rains from Storm Daniel, which led to the bursting of two dams. As a result, entire sections of the city have been wiped out, with water reaching as high as 10 feet in certain areas. The United Nations has labeled this flood as a "Calamity of Epic Proportions." Rescue operations have faced challenges in reaching Derna due to the city's limited access, with only one unobstructed road leading into it. At Dennis Hospital, people are desperately searching for their loved ones amidst piles of dead bodies that have been lined up on the ground. According to Muhammad Akabisi, the hospital's manager, this particular section has recorded 1,700 deaths so far. The identified individuals are being buried on-site, while those who remain unidentified are being photographed, assigned numbers, and given a burial as well. In addition to this, 500 people have been buried separately. The situation at the hospital is dire, as it is in a dilapidated state. Muhammad Committee, a resident of Derna, shared that many people were caught off guard as they were sleeping when the dams failed. He mentioned that his house is located near the valley, opposite the Al-Shahaba Mosque, and expressed a sense of helplessness, stating, "This is what happens. What can we do?" The entire family resides in close proximity as neighbors. Unfortunately, they have already lost 30 individuals, all belonging to the same family. The aftermath of the 2011 uprising against Moammar Gaddafi, supported by the Obama Administration and NATO, has resulted in the deterioration of a significant portion of Libya's infrastructure. The city's dams, in particular, have not received proper maintenance for over two decades. The recent flooding was caused by a rare Mediterranean cyclone known as a medicane, which also brought unprecedented floods to Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria. It is worth noting that these floods occurred just a week before a crucial United Nations Summit on the climate crisis in New York. Greenpeace International emphasizes the urgent need for governments to take action against fossil fuels, as they continue to push us further into a climate disaster. Now, let's turn our attention to the city of Tripoli in Libya, where we have the pleasure of being joined by youth climate activist Nissa Beck. Although Tripoli itself was not physically impacted by the recent catastrophe in Derna, could you please provide us with an overview of the situation there? Specifically, we are interested in hearing about the estimated 6,000 individuals affected. Approximately 10,000 people may have perished up to this point. I extend my condolences for this tragic loss. Firstly, I want to clarify that while Tripoli itself is not directly impacted by this particular event, it does not mean that the western region of Libya is immune to heavy rainfall or smaller storms. In fact, just last week, the city of Zliton, situated in the west, experienced severe flooding due to six hours of rain. This issue of flooding is not new to us, as we have been grappling with it for years. The poor infrastructure in Libya has been a longstanding challenge, predating even the 2011 Revolution and the time of Gaddafi. Many well-constructed buildings, which were established over a century ago during Italian colonization, still exist today. However, structures built during the 1960s are more susceptible to rain or even minor weather fluctuations. The events in Derna were actually anticipated, as I have long foreseen this outcome. As a climate activist, I consistently urge government officials and strive to disseminate relevant information on this matter. Darna has experienced this situation before, not once but twice in the past decade. The first occurrence was in the 1940s, followed by another in the 1980s. Just two years ago, Mr. Abdelaziz Ashur, a civil engineer, published a paper in collaboration with the University of Sabha. In his research, he warned about the precarious condition of both dams and predicted their imminent collapse. Additionally, he emphasized the urgent need for extensive tree planting in the area to combat desertification, as the presence of dry sand exacerbates flooding. Despite considerable media coverage surrounding this catastrophe, little attention was given to the role of climate change or the government's responsibility for the incident. It is worth noting that this event marked the fourth occurrence of the Dania storm, with Darna being the most severely affected. To provide some context on Libya's climate crisis, the country signed the UN climate change framework in 2015 and ratified the Paris Agreement in 2021. However, the government has not fulfilled its obligations to submit national determined contributions or national adaptation plans, which would outline their strategies for risk reduction in such situations. It is important to highlight that many other countries have already declared emergencies and conducted preemptive evacuations, whereas Libya failed to take similar measures despite being aware of the storm approaching the Libyan coast. The government has failed to declare a state of emergency and has not initiated any evacuation efforts. Additionally, it was not until yesterday when the president finally addressed the situation and requested specific assistance. Rather than medical supplies and food, rescue teams, search teams, and air transportation are desperately needed. However, the country lacks the necessary infrastructure, including functional airports, to effectively distribute aid to those in need. As a result, every passing minute without air support or helicopters means countless lives lost. It took two days for the government to acknowledge the urgency of the situation and claim to be working on a strategy, but their lack of preparedness and planning is evident. This highlights the question of the Ministry of Environmental Affairs' role in the crisis. Furthermore, the presence of two conflicting governments in Libya since Gaddafi's death a decade ago has complicated logistical efforts. For instance, aid from Egypt is being coordinated with General Haftar in the East, who is not recognized by the international community, instead of the officially recognized government. This means that the president is unaware of the ongoing negotiations and agreements. Therefore, the issue extends beyond logistics and is primarily rooted in climate and environmental factors. A significant aspect of our strategy to combat climate change and natural disasters involves the submission of risk reduction strategies during COPs. However, it seems that these strategies are not being submitted. The Environmental Affairs Ministry should play a crucial role in this matter, but they seem to be completely inactive. Interestingly, I have a reliable source who informed me that the Minister of Environmental Affairs has been submitting numerous projects and proposals to President Abdel Hamid Baba. Unfortunately, the president has been rejecting all of them and continuously postponing their consideration. Consequently, the ministry is not receiving any funding, and its employees have not been paid for over two years. This dire situation raises concerns, especially when considering Libya's heavy reliance on oil and gas for foreign income. Despite the increasing dangers of the climate crisis, the country continues to sign long-term deals, like the recent agreement with Italy for the next 20 to 30 years. It appears that decision-makers are not taking the climate issue seriously. When confronted about this, they acknowledge the problem but dismiss it as something that does not require immediate attention. The hope is that this tragic event will serve as a turning point, prompting a more serious approach to the climate crisis. Last year, at the U.N. climate Summit in Egypt, wealthy nations agreed to establish a loss and damage fund, specifically aimed at addressing the devastating impacts of climate change in the global South. This fund represents a significant breakthrough for these countries, which have been advocating for such a mechanism for the past three decades. However, it faced opposition from the United States and other major polluting nations. In terms of demands for wealthier nations, it is important to acknowledge that while the root of the issue lies with polluting countries like the United States, in this particular situation, it is not solely their responsibility to fix what happened. Our own government bears fault for this tragedy. The problem with the loss and damage fund is that it cannot bring back the lives we have lost. Its purpose lies in the future, specifically in the reconstruction efforts of places like Darna. However, the cost associated with this reconstruction raises concerns. By that point, we will have already lost numerous lives, and the future holds the potential for further losses if we do not address the issue more seriously. Currently, it is not productive to assign blame solely to the United States or China. I do not have that mindset at the moment. Instead, I believe it is crucial for all states, regardless of their location, to take the loss and damage fund seriously. Additionally, it is essential for them to prioritize the Conference of Parties (COP) and adhere to their commitments by submitting their national action plans (NAPs) and indices. The consequences of not taking these commitments seriously have been witnessed, and a comprehensive risk reduction strategy is necessary. It is crucial to have a plan in place for potential disasters, considering Libya's low precipitation levels and the unexpected occurrence of flooding. These are the expectations moving forward. We appreciate Nisha Beck, a youth climate activist joining us from Tripoli, Libya, and will continue to follow the developments in Libya closely.
By Fred Ferguson Antoine 8 months ago in Journal
Sinking Cities
Sea levels are on the rise worldwide, putting several major cities at risk of being submerged. Global warming can be challenging to comprehend if you're not directly affected by rising sea levels, water shortages, or wildfires. It may all seem abstract. In this video, we will explore the top nine cities that could be underwater by 2030, with the most surprising ones at the top. Make sure to stay till the end. Let's start with number nine: Savannah, USA. Situated in a hurricane-prone area, the historic city of Savannah, Georgia, faces the threat of being engulfed by the sea from all sides. The Savannah River in the north and the Ogeechee River in the south could overflow into the nearby marshland during hurricanes and flash floods. By 2050, the city is projected to experience flood levels that historically occur once per century on an annual basis. The impact may be even more severe. Moving on to number eight: Georgetown, Guyana. For centuries, Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, has relied on a massive 280-mile-long seawall for protection against storms. This is because most of the country's coastline is between 0.5 and 1 meter below high tide. Around 90 percent of Guyana's population resides on the coast, making it crucial for Georgetown's central areas to enhance their seawall to prevent substantial damage. At 7, Bangkok, Thailand, a recent study conducted in 2020 revealed that Bangkok is at high risk of being severely affected by global warming in the near future. The capital city of Thailand is situated only 1.5 meters above sea level, and similar to Venice, it is experiencing sinking, but at a much faster rate of approximately two to three centimeters per year. Furthermore, Bangkok is built on dense clay soil, which further increases its vulnerability to flooding. By 2030, it is projected that a significant portion of the coastal areas, including Tarcam and Summer Prakan, could be submerged, along with the main airport, Suvarnabhumi International. Moving on to number 6, Kolkata, India, much of West Bengal has thrived for centuries due to its fertile landscape. However, as depicted in the map, this has now become a major cause for concern. Similar to Ho Chi Minh city, Kolkata and its surrounding areas could face challenges during the monsoon season, as there is limited land for rainwater runoff. The climate map from Climate Central shows that the eastern districts of Ho Chi Minh City, especially the flat and heavily built-up Marshland area of 2tm, are at the highest risk of flooding. Additionally, the city will face increasing threats along the Mekong Delta. While the central area of Ho Chi Minh City itself is not expected to be submerged by 2030, it will become more vulnerable to flooding and tropical storms. In the near future, Venice, Italy faces a dual threat of rising sea levels and sinking land. The city already experiences severe flooding, and climate change is likely to increase the frequency of high tides that submerge it. Similar to New Orleans, Venice has flood defense systems in place, but as the crisis worsens, maintaining these systems will become more challenging and costly. In New Orleans, USA, the map shows the city's levee system, indicated by the sharp, thick gray borders around the center. These levees serve as protective barriers against the growing red area from Lake Moreepas In the northern region and from Lake Salvador to little Lake in the southern region, New Orleans would face severe threats from rising sea levels if it weren't for the existing defenses. However, even with these defenses in place, the damage would still be catastrophic. On the map, both the Biloxi and Gene Lafitte Wildlife preserves appear to be highly vulnerable as they are almost completely submerged. In the foreign city of Basra, Iraq's main port city, it lies in the Chateau Arab, a massive and wide river that flows into the Persian Gulf. Due to its complex system of canals, streams, and neighboring marshland, Basra and its surrounding areas are particularly susceptible to rising sea levels. To make matters worse, Basra already suffers significantly from waterborne diseases, so increased flooding poses even greater threats. Lastly, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, one can understand why they are referred to as the low countries. Both Amsterdam and the cities of Rotterdam and the Hague are located in low, flat areas.
By Fred Ferguson Antoine 8 months ago in Earth
Flooding in Libya
Another devastating natural disaster has struck North Africa, following closely on the heels of the deadly earthquake in Morocco. Libya is now grappling with severe flooding that has destroyed entire villages and claimed the lives of thousands of people. Footage from the region reveals collapsed buildings, submerged cars, and torrents of water rushing through the streets. The Libyan National Army and health officials estimate that over 2,000 people have been killed and 5,000 to 6,000 are missing. However, due to the inaccessibility of many areas and the lack of communication, these numbers cannot be verified. The city of Derna has been particularly hard hit, with two bridges collapsed, three destroyed, and phone lines still down. The storm system dumped approximately eight months' worth of rain in just one day. Greece also experienced catastrophic flooding last week, which was captured in staggering pictures. According to the head of Libya's emergency and ambulance services, there was no warning for people to evacuate or prepare for the impending disaster. He acknowledged the lack of preparedness and failure to study weather conditions, sea level rise, and the potential impact of the storm. Many are questioning the role of negligence in this situation, as residents woke up in the middle of the night to find their homes flooded, some with water levels reaching up to three meters. The situation has left people desperate to find a way to escape, while search and rescue teams face challenges due to isolated areas and communication difficulties. Additionally, two burst dams in the city of Donna have further exacerbated the disaster, causing more flooding and destruction. Roads and houses are being washed away, and authorities report that there are still bodies lying around, making it difficult to determine the exact death toll, which currently stands at over 2,000, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people missing. The United Nations, Turkey, UAE, and Qatar are providing assistance on the ground. Storm Daniel has wreaked havoc not only in Libya but also in Greece and Turkey in recent days, and it is now moving towards northern Egypt, where an additional 50 millimeters of rainfall is expected in the next two days. The severity of the flooding in Derna can be understood by considering that the city normally receives this amount of rainfall in September alone. The military has barely reached ten millimeters. These numbers are unprecedented. Search and rescue is crucial for reaching people in need. Communication lines such as phone, internet, and power are all down, making it extremely challenging to provide assistance. The pictures we are witnessing are truly shocking, and the devastation is widespread. Eleni, what additional measures can be taken to coordinate aid in this country? Libya has been in political turmoil for quite some time now. Is there a centralized system that allows communication between the east and west to determine the next steps? It's important to remember that the Libyan National Army controls the east, while the internationally recognized government controls the west. These factions have been competing for power for a long time, resulting in a clear communication disconnect. However, we do know that the west has declared three days of mourning in response to this tragedy. Clearly, this event is taking place in a country experiencing significant political unrest. However, it is crucial for the people to unite and strategize their next steps. The fact that there is already international cooperation is a positive development. Nevertheless, more efforts are required, Paula, as the search and rescue operations are still ongoing. The catastrophe is expected to persist for at least the next two days. Subsequently, the focus will shift to the cleanup process. However, it is important to consider the aftermath of this catastrophic situation, which resembles an apocalyptic scenario. Villages, including Derna and Benghazi, are being severely affected, with some completely submerged underwater. This situation is comparable to a major storm or hurricane striking the United States.
By Fred Ferguson Antoine 8 months ago in Earth