Latest news with #Michaelides
Euronews
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Fire at nightclub in town of Kočani in North Macedonia kills 59
The Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, as well as Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, and the EU, are set to meet on Monday to discuss the reunification of the Mediterranean island once again. However, chances for a breakthrough remain low. The island has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded and occupied the northern part of the island. A few years later, after several failed attempts to resolve the issue, northern Cyprus declared independence. However, it remains only recognised by Turkey. Western states and much of the international community consider northern Cyprus part of the Republic of Cyprus and support the island's reunification. The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, insists on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on UN Security Council resolutions, while northern Cyprus advocates for a two-state solution. Aristos Michaelides, director of Phileleftheros newspaper, concluded that no positive outcome is expected because both sides remain too far apart. 'At this stage, no substantive progress is expected, but confidence-building measures, like opening new crossing points, may be proposed. Both sides agree on opening new crossing points, though they disagree on which ones and when,' Michaelides said. He added that the UN secretary-general may intervene to help resolve this issue. Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides said he is coming to the Geneva talks with a concrete plan and proposals. Michaelides noted that while the public has little expectation for breakthrough progress, they still hold onto some hope that a solution could emerge. "The people hear the statements from both sides, see the red lines, and feel a negative atmosphere. Yet, they still hope for a miracle to break the deadlock," he said. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar also pointed out that the UN secretary-general has acknowledged that the sides do not share common ground. While supporters of a solution value the mere convening of the meeting, they acknowledge that expectations are low. However, after the last five-day meeting in Geneva in 2021, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, "Squaring the circle is impossible in geometry, but it is very common in politics." A massive fire tore through Club Pulse nightclub in the eastern town of Kočani early on Sunday, killing 59 people and injuring 155, authorities said. The blaze broke out around 2:30 am during a concert by a local pop group at the club, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told reporters. He said 39 of the dead had so far been identified. Pyrotechnics likely caused the roof to catch fire, Toshkovski added. Videos showed chaos inside the club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible. The club oversold the tickets for the concert, with some 500 people in attendance — twice the maximum allowed capacity of the venue. Kočani TV station reported that fire crews came from nearby cities to tackle it and posted video of fire crews at the nightclub. As relatives gathered outside hospitals to await news, Kočani resident Dragi Stojanov was informed that his 21-year-old son Tomche had died in the fire. 'He was my only child. I don't need my life anymore,' he said. 'One hundred and fifty families have been devastated.' Officials said the injured have been taken to hospitals around the country, including the capital, Skopje, many with severe burns. The effort was being assisted by multiple volunteer organisations. Health Minister Arben Taravari said 118 people have been hospitalised, adding that he had received offers of assistance from neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia. 'All our capabilities have been put to use, in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy,' Taravari told reporters, at times looking visibly shaken. This is the worst tragedy in recent memory to befall the landlocked nation of some 1.8 million. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims at a hospital in Skopje and spoke to parents waiting outside the building. 'It's terrible ... hard to believe how this happened,' she said, her voice halting with emotion. 'We must give these young people courage to continue.' In an online post, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote: "This is a difficult and very sad day for (North) Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.' Family members gathered in front of the hospital and city offices in Kočani, a town of nearly 25,000 some 115 kilometres east of Skopje, asking authorities for more information. The club was in an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and has been running for several years, according to local media MKD. The fire caused the roof of the single-story building to partially collapse, revealing the charred remains of wooden beams and debris. Police cordoned off the site and sent in evidence-gathering teams in an operation also involving state prosecutors. A state prosecutor, Ljupcho Kocevski, said several people were being questioned by police but gave no further details and stressed that the cause of the blaze was still being investigated. Interior ministry officials said authorities would investigate the venue's licensing and safety provisions, adding that the government had a 'moral responsibility' to help prosecute anyone responsible. Police have arrested one man already, but he didn't provide details on the person's involvement. As they awoke to news of the overnight tragedy, the country's immediate neighbors and leaders from further afield in Europe sent condolences. The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas posted on X that she was 'deeply saddened' and said the 27-nation bloc 'shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia.' North Macedonia is a candidate for EU membership. Condolences also poured in from politicians across the region, including Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 'I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day,' Zelenskyy wrote on X. The fire in Kočani is one of the worst blazes in European nightclubs in recent years. In Turkey, a fire in the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul in April 2024 trapped workers and employees while the venue was closed for renovations. It killed 29 people. In October 2023, a blaze that started at a nightclub in the city of Murcia and spread to two other clubs left 13 people dead. A blaze that broke out during a rock band's pyrotechnics display at the Colectiv nightclub in the capital Bucharest in October 2015 killed 64 people and left some 190 injured. The worst nightclub fire took place in Russia in December 2009. Some 152 people died when a blaze broke out at the Lame Horse nightclub in the city of Perm. It started when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches. A monster storm system sparked scores of tornadoes and wildfires that have ripped through parts of the United States, killing at least 32 people. Experts warn more severe weather is expected through the next 24-hour period. Eight people were killed in a vehicle collision in western Kansas' Sherman County after heavy winds produced blowing dust on a major highway. More than 50 vehicles were involved in the fatal accident. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves says six people were killed in three different counties while a further three people were reported missing. Almost 30 others were injured across the state. The central state of Missouri recorded more fatalities than any other state as scattered twisters overnight that killed at least 12, authorities said. One man died after a tornado completely ripped apart and destroyed his home. 'It was unrecognizable as a home. Just a debris field,' said Coroner Jim Akers of Butler County, describing the scene that confronted rescuers. 'The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.' Officials in Arkansas said three people died in Independence County and 29 others were injured across eight counties. 'We have teams out surveying the damage from last night's tornadoes and have first responders on the ground to assist,' posted Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on X. Sanders, Reeves and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared states of emergencies across their states. Kemp said he was doing so in anticipation of severe weather moving in, in the early hours of Sunday. On Friday, meanwhile, authorities said three people were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo, in the Texas Panhandle. The massive storm system unleashed winds that triggered deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires. Extreme weather conditions were forecast to affect an are that is home to more than 100 million people. Winds gusting up to 130 kmph were predicted from the Canadian border all the way down to Texas, threatening blizzard conditions in colder northern areas and wildfire risk in southern warmer and drier areas. Evacuations were ordered in some communities in Oklahoma as more than 130 wildfires were reported across the state. Nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed, according to Governor Kevin Still, who also added that fires burned across an area of 689 square km. The US National Weather Service also reported that the storms also brough about massive amounts of rain. Several areas experienced flooding with a lot more at risk. Authorities are urging residents in areas affected by the storms to remain indoors and exercise caution.
Saudi Gazette
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Geneva hosts UN-backed Cyprus peace talks with little hope for breakthrough
GENEVA — The Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, as well as Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, and the EU, are set to meet on Monday to discuss the reunification of the Mediterranean island once again. However, chances for a breakthrough remain low. The island has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded and occupied the northern part of the island. A few years later, after several failed attempts to resolve the issue, northern Cyprus declared independence. However, it remains only recognized by Turkey. Western states and much of the international community consider northern Cyprus part of the Republic of Cyprus and support the island's reunification. The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, insists on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on UN Security Council resolutions, while northern Cyprus advocates for a two-state Michaelides, director of Phileleftheros newspaper, concluded that no positive outcome is expected because both sides remain too far apart.'At this stage, no substantive progress is expected, but confidence-building measures, like opening new crossing points, may be proposed. Both sides agree on opening new crossing points, though they disagree on which ones and when,' Michaelides added that the UN secretary-general may intervene to help resolve this President Nicos Christodoulides said he is coming to the Geneva talks with a concrete plan and noted that while the public has little expectation for breakthrough progress, they still hold onto some hope that a solution could emerge."The people hear the statements from both sides, see the red lines, and feel a negative atmosphere. Yet, they still hope for a miracle to break the deadlock," he Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar also pointed out that the UN secretary-general has acknowledged that the sides do not share common supporters of a solution value the mere convening of the meeting, they acknowledge that expectations are after the last five-day meeting in Geneva in 2021, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, "Squaring the circle is impossible in geometry, but it is very common in politics." — Euronews
Euronews
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
No breakthroughs are forecast at the UN-sponsored talks on Cyprus
The expanded five-party meeting in Geneva on Monday, will include the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, as well as the Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The island has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded and occupied the northern part of the island. A few years later and after several failed attempts to resolve it, the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declared itself independent of Cyprus, but has only ever been recognised by Turkey. Western states - and much of the international community - consider the Turkish occupied area as part of the Republic of Cyprus and they support the island's reunification. Greek Cyprus, which is an EU state, insists on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on UN Security Council resolutions, while the Turkish Cypriot side advocates for a two-state solution. Aristos Michaelides, director of Phileleftheros newspaper, concluded that no positive outcome is expected because both sides remain too far apart. 'At this stage, no substantive progress is expected, but confidence-building measures, like opening new crossing points, may be proposed. Both sides agree on opening new crossing points, though they disagree on which ones and when,' Michaelides said. He added that the UN Secretary-General may intervene to help resolve this issue. Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides said he is coming to the Geneva talks with a concrete plan and proposals. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar emphasised the importance of Turkey's guarantees and stated that he would represent the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, stressing the importance of Turkey's guarantees to them. Tatar also pointed out that the UN Secretary-General has acknowledged there is no common ground between the sides. Michaelides noted that while the public has little expectation for breakthrough progress, they still hold onto some hope that a solution could emerge. "The people hear the statements from both sides, see the red lines, and feel a negative atmosphere. Yet, they still hope for a miracle to break the deadlock," he said. While supporters of a solution value the mere convening of the meeting, they acknowledge that expectations are low. However, after the last five-day meeting also in Geneva in 2021, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that "Squaring the circle is impossible in geometry, but it is very common in politics." A massive fire tore through Club Pulse nightclub in the eastern town of Kocani early on Sunday, killing 59 people and injuring 155, authorities said. The blaze broke out around 2:30 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group at the club, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told reporters. He said 39 of the dead had so far been identified. Pyrotechnics likely caused the roof to catch fire, Toshkovski added. Videos showed chaos inside the club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible. Kočani TV station reported that fire crews came from nearby cities to tackle it and posted video of fire crews at the nightclub. As relatives gathered outside hospitals to await news, Kocani resident Dragi Stojanov was informed that his 21-year-old son Tomce had died in the fire. 'He was my only child. I don't need my life anymore,' he said. 'One hundred and fifty families have been devastated.' Officials said the injured have been taken to hospitals around the country, including the capital, Skopje, many with severe burns. The effort was being assisted by multiple volunteer organizations. Health Minister Arben Taravari said 118 people have been hospitalised, adding that he had received offers of assistance from neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia. 'All our capabilities have been put to use, in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy,' Taravari told reporters, at times looking visibly shaken. This is the worst tragedy in recent memory to befall the landlocked nation, whose population is less than 2 million. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims at a hospital in Skopje and spoke to parents waiting outside the building. 'It's terrible ... hard to believe how this happened,' she said, her voice halting with emotion. 'We must give these young people courage to continue.' In an online post, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote: "This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.' Family members gathered in front of hospitals and city offices in Kocani, some 115 kilometres east of Skopje, begging authorities for more information. The club was in an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and has been running for several years, according to local media MKD. The fire caused the roof of the single-story building to partially collapse, revealing the charred remains of wooden beams and debris. Police cordoned off the site and sent in evidence-gathering teams in an operation also involving state prosecutors. A state prosecutor, Ljubco Kocevski, said several people were being questioned by police but gave no further details and stressed that the cause of the blaze was still being investigated. Interior ministry officials said authorities would investigate the venue's licensing and safety provisions, adding that the government had a 'moral responsibility' to help prosecute anyone responsible. Police have arrested one man already, but he didn't provide details on the person's involvement. As they awoke to news of the overnight tragedy, the country's immediate neighbors and leaders from further afield in Europe sent condolences. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, posted on X that she was 'deeply saddened' and said the 27-nation bloc 'shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia.' North Macedonia is a candidate for EU membership. Condolences also poured in from politicians across the region, including Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 'I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day,' Zelenskyy wrote on X. The fire in Kočani is one of the worst blazes in European nightclubs in recent years. In Turkey, a fire in the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul in April 2024 trapped workers and employees while the venue was closed for renovations. It killed 29 people. In October 2023, a blaze that started at a nightclub in the city of Murcia and spread to two other clubs left 13 people dead. A blaze that broke out during a rock band's pyrotechnics display at the Colectiv nightclub in the capital Bucharest in October 2015 killed 64 people and left some 190 injured. The worst nightclub fire took place in Russia in December 2009. Some 152 people died when a blaze broke out at the Lame Horse nightclub in the city of Perm. It started when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches.
Euronews
13-03-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Why climate change could litter Earth's orbit with space junk
A new report has revealed how the 100 most populated cities globally are becoming increasingly exposed to flooding and drought. The study, led by WaterAid with academics from the University of Bristol and Cardiff University, shows widespread drying throughout European cities. These include the Spanish capital Madrid, which was ranked second among the 49 drying cities, and the UK capital London, ranked 44th. Findings also indicate that almost one in five of the cities studied are experiencing 'climate whiplash', defined as intensifying floods and droughts. A similar proportion (20 per cent) have seen a major switch from one extreme to the other, known as 'climate hazard flips.' Co-lead scientist Katerina Michaelides, Professor of Dryland Hydrology at the University of Bristol, says, 'The findings from our study illustrate just how differently and dramatically climate change is expressing around the globe - there is no one-size-fits-all.' All European cities analysed exhibit drying trends over the past 42 years, the report found. London, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and Istanbul could all see more frequent and long-lasting droughts as a result. Some European cities are facing 'climate hazard flips'. Barcelona and Madrid are experiencing a particularly strong flip from wet to dry. Around the globe, around 13 per cent of cities are switching to a more extreme wet climate, while the remaining 7 per cent are shifting to a more extreme dry climate. 'Places that were historically wet are becoming dry and vice versa. Other places are now increasingly battered by both extreme floods and droughts,' says Michaelides. 'A deeper understanding of localised climate hazards can support more intelligent and bespoke planning in major cities.' The study also compares each city's social and water infrastructure vulnerabilities - alongside new data on climate hazards spanning 40 years - to identify which are the most vulnerable to extreme climate changes and the least equipped to handle them. Vulnerabilities examined range from poverty to poor water and waste systems. Severe urban flooding can damage sanitation facilities, spreading diseases such as cholera and typhoid, whilst water shortages during droughts can leave millions of families without essential water. 'As the nature and intensity of natural hazards change, their impacts on urban communities will be significantly shaped by social and infrastructural vulnerabilities,' says Dr Sean Fox, Associate Professor in Global Development at the University of Bristol, who also contributed to the research. 'In other words, risk isn't just about the chance of a flood or drought occurring, it's also about how prepared communities are to deal with these hazards.' The report places European cities like Barcelona, Berlin and Paris at a higher risk than those in North America and Australia, due to the continent's aging water and waste infrastructure potentially leaving urban populations more exposed. From recent droughts in cities like Madrid and Cape Town to large-scale flooding across cities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, WaterAid claims 90 per cent of all climate disasters are driven by too much or too little water. It warns that weather-related disasters such as flooding and drought have grown fourfold in the last 50 years. This is putting major pressure on vital water access and sanitation systems and making it harder for communities and economies to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to climate change. In light of global aid cuts, WaterAid is calling on the UK, global governments, multilateral banks, and the private sector to work together to unlock investment and implement solutions to tackle climate change and water crises. 'Now, we need to turn commitments into action - for leaders to build and invest in systems worldwide that can withstand extreme weather and keep clean water flowing globally,' says Tim Wainwright, WaterAid UK's chief executive. Climate change is already causing all sorts of problems on Earth, but soon it will be making a mess in orbit around the planet too, a new study finds. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have calculated that, as global warming caused by burning of coal, oil, gas continues, it may reduce the available space for satellites in low Earth orbit by anywhere from one-third to 82 per cent by the end of the century, depending on how much carbon pollution is spewed out. That's because space will become more littered with debris as climate change lessens nature's way of cleaning it up. Part of the greenhouse effect that warms the air near Earth's surface also cools the upper parts of the atmosphere where space starts and satellites zip around in low orbit. The cooling also makes the upper atmosphere less dense, which reduces the drag on the millions of pieces of human-made debris and satellites. That drag pulls space junk down to Earth, burning it up on the way. But a cooler and less dense upper atmosphere means less space cleaning itself, resulting in space becoming more crowded, according to a study in Monday's journal Nature Sustainability. 'We rely on the atmosphere to clean up our debris. There's no other way to remove debris,' said study lead author Will Parker, an astrodynamics researcher at MIT. 'It's trash. It's garbage. And there are millions of pieces of it.' The density at 400 kilometers above Earth is decreasing by about 2 per cent a decade, said Ingrid Cnossen, a space weather scientist at the British Antarctic Survey who was not part of the research. This decrease is also likely to intensify as society pumps more greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Cnossen said in an email that the new study makes 'perfect sense' and is why scientists have to be aware of climate change's orbital effects 'so that appropriate measures can be taken to ensure its long-term sustainability.' Circling Earth are millions of pieces of debris about 3 millimeters and larger - the width of two stacked pennies - and those collide with the energy of a bullet. There are tens of thousands of plum-sized pieces of space junk that hit with the power of a crashing bus, according to The Aerospace Corporation, which monitors orbital debris. That junk includes results of old space crashes and parts of rockets with most of it too small to be tracked. There are 11,905 satellites circling Earth - 7,356 in low orbit - according to the tracking website Orbiting Now. Satellites are critical for communications, navigation, weather forecasting and monitoring environmental and national security issues. 'There used to be this mantra that space is big. And so we can we can sort of not necessarily be good stewards of the environment because the environment is basically unlimited,' Parker said. But a 2009 crash of two satellites created thousands of pieces of space junk. Also NASA measurements are showing measurable the reduction of drag, so scientists now realise that 'the climate change component is really important,' Parker said. France is preparing for a future where global heating has risen to 4C above pre-industrial levels, sparking more wildfires and eroding its coastlines. The government unveiled its third national climate adaptation plan yesterday (10 March), outlining dozens of measures to protect citizens in a possible 4C by 2100 scenario. First shared by former Prime Minister Michel Barnier in October last year, the plan received almost 6,000 contributions during a public consultation, and has been developed with scientists and other experts. "Adapting is not giving up," Agnès Pannier-Runacher, France's minister of ecological transition, biodiversity, forests, the sea and fisheries, made clear when announcing the plan on social media site X yesterday. 'The government's policy rests on two legs: on the one hand, it continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, on the other, it adapts to the effects of climate change.' France is aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, having already seen its emissions drop by 20 per cent since 2017, according to Pannier-Runacher. But even if net zero is achieved by mid-century, scientists still predict temperatures in the country will climb by at least 4C by 2100 due to the continued impacts of burning fossil fuels. The new plan focuses on four priority areas, in geographic terms: coastlines, mountains, forests and agriculture. Pannier-Runacher visited Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez in the Vendée region on Friday 7 March, Le Monde reports, where she was able to observe the retreat of the coastline. "There is a very strong expectation from local elected officials, particularly in coastal, mountain or forest communities, but also from healthcare professionals and nursing home residents, who are already experiencing the effects of global warming," she told the French newspaper. The package is designed to help sectors across the board - from business and transport, to infrastructure and agriculture - gradually adapt to the consequences of climate change. It plots a trajectory for climate adaptation (TRACC) based on projections from the national weather agency Météo-France. In an incremental way, it prepares the country for temperature increases of 2C by 2030, 2.7C by 2050, and 4C by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels. There are then five categories of action: protecting people, ensuring the resilience of territories and essential services, adapting human activities, protecting natural and cultural heritage, and mobilising national resources. Specific measures include creating a national map of exposure to natural risks, maintaining affordable insurance offerings even in high-risk areas, and improving housing to remain comfortable despite rising temperatures. 'Adapting also means rethinking work,' Pannier-Runacher wrote on X. 'Faced with heatwaves, it is necessary to adjust schedules, strengthen medical monitoring and protect workers. 'Let us take inspiration from countries like Greece who are already doing this,' she said. Discussing the climate adaptation plan yesterday, Pannier-Runacher added, 'There is a form of Trumpisation of minds. Ecology is not a subject reserved for the bobos [bourgeois-bohemian subset] of the big cities.' US President Donald Trump has been gutting federal agencies dedicated to climate science since taking office in January. The French government, though it has been criticised for U-turning on some environmental measures recently, signalled a different direction with its climate plan. 'The main victims of climate change, those who risk their health or lose their homes and jobs, are the working classes, contrary to what the populists try to make us believe,' Pannier-Runacher said. France has put itself ahead of the curve on climate adaptation, after being caught unawares by a deadly heatwave in 2003. The country has a detailed national heatwave plan in place, and cities like Paris are taking efforts a step further as they prepare for potential 50C summers. Pannier-Runacher revealed that €1.6 billion in budgetary resources will be dedicated to the plan from 2025. That includes €1 billion from water agencies' budgets, and €300 million from the Barnier Fund, set up for the prevention of major natural hazards. Environmental groups have welcomed the plan, but raised concerns about how the measures will be implemented, and whether they are ambitious enough. Speaking to French news agency AFP, vice-president of France Nature Environnement Nicolas Richard said it presents "a certain number of good intentions" but faces uncertainty about "whether they are funded and how they are managed". According to a recent report from the Institute for Climate Economics, between €1 billion and €2.5 billion should be invested annually just in new buildings, €4.4 billion for housing renovation, and at least €1.5 billion per year for agriculture.
Euronews
12-03-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
What is climate whiplash? New report reveals dangers of flooding and drought in European cities
Researchers have found that 90 per cent of all climate disasters are driven by too much or too little water. ADVERTISEMENT A new report has revealed how the 100 most populated cities globally are becoming increasingly exposed to flooding and drought. The study, led by WaterAid with academics from the University of Bristol and Cardiff University, shows widespread drying throughout European cities. These include the Spanish capital Madrid, which was ranked second among the 49 drying cities, and the UK capital London, ranked 44th. Findings also indicate that almost one in five of the cities studied are experiencing 'climate whiplash', defined as intensifying floods and droughts. A similar proportion (20 per cent) have seen a major switch from one extreme to the other, known as 'climate hazard flips.' Co-lead scientist Katerina Michaelides, Professor of Dryland Hydrology at the University of Bristol, says, 'The findings from our study illustrate just how differently and dramatically climate change is expressing around the globe - there is no one-size-fits-all.' European cities are experiencing 'climate hazard flips' All European cities analysed exhibit drying trends over the past 42 years, the report found. London, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and Istanbul could all see more frequent and long-lasting droughts as a result. Some European cities are facing 'climate hazard flips'. Barcelona and Madrid are experiencing a particularly strong flip from wet to dry. Around the globe, around 13 per cent of cities are switching to a more extreme wet climate, while the remaining 7 per cent are shifting to a more extreme dry climate. 'Places that were historically wet are becoming dry and vice versa. Other places are now increasingly battered by both extreme floods and droughts,' says Michaelides. 'A deeper understanding of localised climate hazards can support more intelligent and bespoke planning in major cities.' Europe's cities face water shortages The study also compares each city's social and water infrastructure vulnerabilities - alongside new data on climate hazards spanning 40 years - to identify which are the most vulnerable to extreme climate changes and the least equipped to handle them. Vulnerabilities examined range from poverty to poor water and waste systems. Severe urban flooding can damage sanitation facilities, spreading diseases such as cholera and typhoid, whilst water shortages during droughts can leave millions of families without essential water. 'As the nature and intensity of natural hazards change, their impacts on urban communities will be significantly shaped by social and infrastructural vulnerabilities,' says Dr Sean Fox, Associate Professor in Global Development at the University of Bristol, who also contributed to the research. ADVERTISEMENT 'In other words, risk isn't just about the chance of a flood or drought occurring, it's also about how prepared communities are to deal with these hazards.' The report places European cities like Barcelona, Berlin and Paris at a higher risk than those in North America and Australia, due to the continent's aging water and waste infrastructure potentially leaving urban populations more exposed. 90 per cent of all climate disasters driven by too much or too little water From recent droughts in cities like Madrid and Cape Town to large-scale flooding across cities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, WaterAid claims 90 per cent of all climate disasters are driven by too much or too little water. It warns that weather-related disasters such as flooding and drought have grown fourfold in the last 50 years. ADVERTISEMENT This is putting major pressure on vital water access and sanitation systems and making it harder for communities and economies to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to climate change. In light of global aid cuts, WaterAid is calling on the UK, global governments, multilateral banks, and the private sector to work together to unlock investment and implement solutions to tackle climate change and water crises. 'Now, we need to turn commitments into action - for leaders to build and invest in systems worldwide that can withstand extreme weather and keep clean water flowing globally,' says Tim Wainwright, WaterAid UK's chief executive.
