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Qatar Tribune
12-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Sand, dust storms worsening, affecting 330 mn globally: WMO
Agencies Geneva Sand and dust storms are escalating in intensity and frequency, threatening the health and livelihoods of hundreds of millions across the globe, according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The Airborne Dust Bulletin revealed that around 330 million people in more than 150 countries are affected by this airborne hazard each year. While much of the dust movement is natural, the UN agency warns that poor land and water management, drought, and environmental degradation are significantly contributing to its intensification. 'Sand and dust storms do not just mean dirty windows and hazy skies. They harm the health and quality of life of millions of people and cost many millions of dollars through disruption to air and ground transport, on agriculture and on solar energy production,' WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said in a news release. In 2024, the global annual dust concentration fell slightly from 2023 levels, but hotspots like Chad – home to the Bodele Depression – saw levels between 800 and 1100 µg/m³ (micrograms or one-millionth of a gram per cubic meter air), far exceeding global norms. In the southern hemisphere, central Australia and South Africa's west coast saw the highest concentrations. Dust storms in 2024 struck regions from the Caribbean Sea, where African dust traveled transatlantically, to northern China, which experienced both spring and rare summer storms driven by a warming climate, according to the bulletin. A winter storm in West Asia paralyzed activity across Iraq, Kuwait, and the Arabian Peninsula. Every year, an estimated 2 billion tons of dust – comparable to 307 Great Pyramids of Giza – is lifted into the atmosphere, the WMO said. Over 80% of this comes from North Africa and the Middle East, and they can travel thousands of kilometers, even across oceans. The agency also warned that the health burden is rising sharply. A new indicator from the WMO and World Health Organization (WHO) found that 3.8 billion people – nearly half the global population – were exposed to dust levels exceeding WHO safety thresholds between 2018 and 2022. That's up from 2.9 billion people (44.5%) in the 2003–2007 period. On the economic aspect, the bulletin found that the cost is staggering. In the US alone, dust and wind erosion caused $154 billion in damage in 2017, a quadrupling of the amount since 1995, according to a study in the journal Nature.
MTV Lebanon
12-07-2025
- Climate
- MTV Lebanon
UN: Sand and Dust Storms Affect 330 Million People Due to Climate Change
A new report by the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has found that sand and dust storms are leading to 'premature deaths' due to climate change, with more than 330 million people in 150 countries affected. On Saturday, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) marked the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms and its designation of 2025 – 2034 as the UN Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. The storms 'are fast becoming one of the most overlooked yet far-reaching global challenges of our time', said Assembly President Philemon Yang. 'They are driven by climate change, land degradation and unsustainable practices.' The secretary-general of WMO, Celeste Saulo, said on Thursday that sand and dust storms do not just mean 'dirty windows and hazy skies. They harm the health and quality of life of millions of people and cost many millions of dollars through disruption to air and ground transport, on agriculture and on solar energy production.' Airborne particles from these storms contribute to 7 million premature deaths annually, said Yang, adding that they trigger respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and reduce crop yields by up to 25%, causing hunger and migration. 'About 2 billion tonnes of dust are emitted yearly, equivalent to 300 Great Pyramids of Giza' in Egypt, Laura Paterson, the WMO's UN representative, told the UNGA. More than 80% of the world's dust comes from the deserts in North Africa and the Middle East, added Paterson, but it has a global effect because the particles can travel hundreds and even thousands of kilometres across continents and oceans. Undersecretary-General Rola Dashti, head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, told the assembly the storms' economic costs are 'staggering'. In the Middle East and North Africa, it costs $150bn, roughly 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), annually to deal with dust and sand storms, she said. 'This spring alone, the Arab region experienced acute disruption,' Dashti said, citing severe storms in Iraq that overwhelmed hospitals with respiratory cases and storms in Kuwait and Iran that forced school and office closures. Dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa has travelled as far as the Caribbean and Florida, she said. For the United States, dust and wind erosion caused $154bn in damage in 2017, a quadrupling of the amount since 1995, according to a study in the scientific journal Nature. The WMO and World Health Organization also warned that the health burden is rising sharply, with 3.8 billion people – nearly half the global population – exposed to dust levels exceeding WHO safety thresholds between 2018 and 2022, up from 2.9 billion people affected between 2003 and 2007.
Time Business News
12-07-2025
- Time Business News
Vive Más Tours: Your Super Fun Way to See the World!
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It's not just about getting to a new place; it's about what you do once you're there! Imagine trying a delicious food you've never tasted before, like a sweet pastry in France or a spicy taco in Mexico. Think about standing next to something super old, like the Great Pyramids in Egypt, and wondering how they were built. Or maybe seeing incredible animals in their natural homes, like a soaring eagle in the mountains or colorful fish in a coral reef. Travel lets you use all your senses! You hear different languages, smell new smells, and see sights that are completely different from what you're used to. Every new experience teaches you something, making your brain grow smarter and your heart grow bigger. It's like being a detective, always finding something new and exciting around every corner. These awesome experiences are what turn a simple trip into an unforgettable adventure. You know how sometimes planning a big party or a school project can feel like a lot of work? 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When you travel with us, you can relax knowing that every detail, especially your well-being, has been carefully thought out. So, are you feeling excited about seeing the world? Planning your next big adventure doesn't have to be hard or stressful. In fact, it can be just as exciting as the trip itself when you have the right team helping you. Vive Mas Tours is here to turn your travel dreams into real-life adventures. We take care of all the tricky parts, so you can focus on making incredible memories and enjoying every single moment. With our help, you'll discover new places, experience different cultures, and create stories you'll want to share again and again. Whether it's your first time traveling far from home or you're a seasoned explorer, we're ready to help you find your perfect journey. Don't just dream about your next vacation; make it happen with Vive Mas Tours. Get ready for an amazing experience that will fill your life with joy and unforgettable moments! TIME BUSINESS NEWS
12-07-2025
- Climate
Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries, UN agency says
UNITED NATIONS -- Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries and are taking an increasing toll on health, economies and the environment, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization says. 'About 2 billion tons of dust are emitted yearly, equivalent to 300 Great Pyramids of Giza' in Egypt, the organization's U.N. representative, Laura Paterson, told the General Assembly. More than 80% of the world's dust comes from the deserts in North Africa and the Middle East, she said, but it has a global impact because the particles can travel hundreds and even thousands of kilometers (miles) across continents and oceans. The General Assembly was marking the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms on Saturday and its designation of 2025 to 2034 as the U.N. decade on combating sand and dust storms. Assembly President Philemon Yang said the storms 'are fast becoming one of the most overlooked yet far-reaching global challenges of our time.' 'They are driven by climate change, land degradation and unsustainable practices,' he said. Yang, in a speech Thursday that was read by an assembly vice president, said airborne particles from sand and dust storms contribute to 7 million premature deaths every year. He said they trigger respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and reduce crop yields by up to 25%, causing hunger and migration. Undersecretary-General Rola Dashti, head of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, told the assembly the storms' economic costs are "staggering.' In the Middle East and North Africa, the annual cost of dealing with dust and sand storms is $150 billion, roughly 2.5% of GDP, she said. 'This spring alone, the Arab region experienced acute disruption,' Dashti said, citing severe storms in Iraq that overwhelmed hospitals with respiratory cases and storms in Kuwait and Iran that forced schools and offices to close. Dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa has reached as far as the Caribbean and Florida, she said, Dashti, who also co-chairs the U.N. Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, said over 20 U.N. and international agencies are working to unite efforts on early warning systems for storms and to deal with other issues, including health and financing. She urged all countries to put sand and dust storms into global and national agendas. 'From land restoration and sustainable agriculture to integrated early warning systems, we have the tools to act," Dashti said. "What we need now is collective determination and financing to bring these solutions to scale.'
San Francisco Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries, UN agency says
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries and are taking an increasing toll on health, economies and the environment, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization says. 'About 2 billion tons of dust are emitted yearly, equivalent to 300 Great Pyramids of Giza' in Egypt, the organization's U.N. representative, Laura Paterson, told the General Assembly. More than 80% of the world's dust comes from the deserts in North Africa and the Middle East, she said, but it has a global impact because the particles can travel hundreds and even thousands of kilometers (miles) across continents and oceans. The General Assembly was marking the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms on Saturday and its designation of 2025 to 2034 as the U.N. decade on combating sand and dust storms. Assembly President Philemon Yang said the storms 'are fast becoming one of the most overlooked yet far-reaching global challenges of our time.' 'They are driven by climate change, land degradation and unsustainable practices,' he said. Yang, in a speech Thursday that was read by an assembly vice president, said airborne particles from sand and dust storms contribute to 7 million premature deaths every year. He said they trigger respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and reduce crop yields by up to 25%, causing hunger and migration. Undersecretary-General Rola Dashti, head of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, told the assembly the storms' economic costs are "staggering.' In the Middle East and North Africa, the annual cost of dealing with dust and sand storms is $150 billion, roughly 2.5% of GDP, she said. 'This spring alone, the Arab region experienced acute disruption,' Dashti said, citing severe storms in Iraq that overwhelmed hospitals with respiratory cases and storms in Kuwait and Iran that forced schools and offices to close. Dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa has reached as far as the Caribbean and Florida, she said, Dashti, who also co-chairs the U.N. Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, said over 20 U.N. and international agencies are working to unite efforts on early warning systems for storms and to deal with other issues, including health and financing. She urged all countries to put sand and dust storms into global and national agendas. 'From land restoration and sustainable agriculture to integrated early warning systems, we have the tools to act," Dashti said. "What we need now is collective determination and financing to bring these solutions to scale.'
