Environment
Cop26: world leaders agree deal to end deforestation

Cop26: world leaders agree deal to end deforestation
World leaders have agreed a deal that aims to halt and reverse global deforestation over the next decade as part of a multibillion-dollar package to tackle human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
Xi Jinping, Jair Bolsonaro and Joe Biden are among the world leaders who will commit to the declaration at Cop26 in Glasgow on Tuesday to protect vast areas, ranging from the eastern Siberian taiga to the Congo basin, home to the world’s second largest rainforest.
Land-clearing by humans accounts for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, largely deriving from the destruction of the world’s forests for agricultural products such as palm oil, soy and beef.
By signing the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use, presidents and prime ministers from major producers and consumers of deforestation-linked products will commit to protect forest ecosystems.
Boris Johnson will unveil the agreement at an event attended by the US president, Joe Biden, the Prince of Wales and the Indonesian president, Joko Widodo. He is expected to say: “These great teeming ecosystems – these cathedrals of nature – are the lungs of our planet. Forests support communities, livelihoods and food supply, and absorb the carbon we pump into the atmosphere. They are essential to our very survival.”
The commitment on nature and forests comes as more than 120 world leaders came together in Glasgow to thrash out fresh commitments on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, amid concerns that key countries have failed to step up.
On a day devoted to speeches by presidents and prime ministers that underlined the scale of the challenges ahead, Johnson said future generations “will judge us with bitterness” if the conference fails. Other key moments included:
India pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2070. Although it is the first time the world’s third biggest polluter has set this target, and experts said it was a realistic commitment, it is 20 years behind the 2050 date set agreed by other developed countries.
President Biden warned that greater urgency was needed at the talks: “Right now, we are falling short. There’s no time to hang back, sit on the fence or argue amongst ourselves.”
António Guterres, the UN secretary general, said the world was being driven to the brink by an addiction to fossil fuels. “We are fast approaching tipping points that will trigger escalating feedback loops of global heating,” he warned.
In a recorded message, the Queen called on leaders to “rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship”. She added: “Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today: we none of us will live forever. But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps.”
Following his own speech, Johnson provoked some ridicule by admitting he would fly home rather than take the train.
Shortly before, he had told a roundtable of leaders of developing nations: “When it comes to tackling climate change, words without action, without deeds are absolutely pointless.”
The commitments on deforestation are an early win for the UK, which as host nation bears responsibility for forging a consensus among the nearly 200 countries present, amid concerns that an overall commitment on cutting greenhouse gas emissions by the 45% scientists say is needed this decade will fall short.
The political declaration, which is voluntary and not part of the Paris process, is one of a range of side deals that the UK presidency is pushing for at the climate summit in Glasgow alongside others on methane, cars and coal.
The package includes £5.3bn of new private finance and £8.75bn of public funding for restoring degraded land, supporting indigenous communities, protecting forests and mitigating wildfire damage.
A pledge from CEOs to eliminate activities linked to deforestation, and £1.5bn funding from the UK government for forests, are also part of the deal. £350m of that will go to Indonesia and £200m to the Congo basin, with a new £1.1bn fund for the west African rainforest.
While the forestry agreement has been cautiously welcomed by ecologists and forest governance experts, they point to previous deals to save forests that have so far failed to stop their destruction, including in 2014. But this time, the EU, China and the US alongside major forested countries like Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Papua New Guinea will all sign the commitment.
Many details need to be clarified, particularly how the money is spent, according to Carlos Rittl, who works on Brazil for the Rainforest Foundation Norway. “Big cheques won’t save the forests if the money doesn’t go into the right hands,” he said, emphasising that it should go to indigenous groups and other who are committed to protecting the forest.
In a separate announcement, at least £1.25bn of funding will be given directly to indigenous peoples and local communities by governments and philanthropists for their role in protecting forests.
But the promised funds still fall far short of what some believe is needed. “We are undervalued and our rights are still not respected,” said Mina Setra, an indigenous rights activist from Borneo. “A statement is not enough. We need evidence, not only words.”
Environment
NiMet predicts three-day sunshine, haziness

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged sunny skies on Monday in a hazy atmosphere over both the northern and North central regions of the country throughout the forecast period.
According to NiMet, a hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds is anticipated over the region throughout the forecast period in the southern region.
“For Tuesday, sunny and hazy skies are expected over the North and North Central states throughout the
forecast period.
”In the southern region, patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere is expected over the region throughout the forecast period.
”There are prospects of localised thunderstorms over parts of Ogun, Delta, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states,” it said.
NiMet predicted sunny and hazy skies over the North and North Central regions throughout
the forecast period on Wednesday.
According to NiMet, hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds are expected over the South during the forecast period.
It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Ogun, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States later in the day.
“The agency urged the public to take necessary precaution as dust particles are in suspension.
People with asthmatic health condition and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition.
“Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, public should take adequate precaution.
“Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.
Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.”
NiMet advised the residents to stay informed through its weather updates and to visit its website.
(NAN)
Environment
NiMet predicts three-day haziness, cloudiness

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast a spell of haziness and cloudiness across the country from Monday to Wednesday.
According to NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Sunday, a moderate dust haze is expected on Monday, with a horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km over the northern cities.
Furthermore, localised visibility of less than or equal to 1000m is anticipated over parts of Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States throughout the forecast period.
Moderate dust haze with a horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km is also expected over the North Central region, with localised visibility of less than or equal to 1000m anticipated over parts of Niger.
In the southern regions, hazy skies with patches of clouds are expected over the inland cities and coastal belt during the morning hours.
This is with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Ondo, Edo, Ogun, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Cross River States later in the day.
NiMet predicts there will be moderate dust haze with a horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km over the northern region and the North Central region.
Also, moderate dust haze is expected over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Ebonyi, and Enugu State.
Remaining parts of the inland states of the South are, however, expected to be hazy with patches of clouds.
Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.
The public should take adequate precaution and adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities,” NiMet warned.
“The agency advised airline operators “to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.”
NiMet also urged the public to take necessary precautions, as dust particles are in suspension
“People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather conditions,” NiMET said.
Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet, www.nimet.gov.ng
Environment
NiMet predicts dust haze from Thursday to Saturday across Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted dust haze from Thursday to Saturday across Nigeria.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Wednesday in Abuja envisaged a slight dust haze on Thursday in good visibility throughout the forecast period in the northern region.
The agency said that North central states are expected to experience slight dust haze in good visibility throughout the forecast period.
It envisaged moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period in the southern parts of the country.
According to it, early morning fog or mist over the coastal areas are expected.
For Thursday, NiMet said a slight dust haze is expected throughout the forecast period in the northern region.
It added that the North central region should be in a slight dust haze throughout the forecast period.
It further stated that in the South, moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km is expected throughout the forecast period.
The agency predicted moderate dust haze in the northern region on Friday with visibility range of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period.
According to NiMet, the North Central should be in moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km during the forecast period.
It envisaged early morning fog or mist over the coastal areas of the country while slight dust haze in patches of clouds are expected over the region during the afternoon and evening periods.
NiMet added that dust particles are in suspension and the public should take necessary precaution.
It advised airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from it for effective planning
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