The Quill Post

Iraq’s farmers and fishermen struggle amid drought Iraq is among the nations most severely impacted by climate change, with its effects being particularly devastating for the country's farmers. Rising temperatures and reduced water availability have led to a significant decline in crop yields in recent years. Farmers in various sectors, such as Sarhan Jaber Taher, who comes from a long line of water buffalo rearers, are also feeling the strain. Taher’s family currently cares for 200 out of 300 buffalo, relying on their milk for income. However, the changing climate is gradually eroding their profits. For centuries, the Euphrates River, the longest in Western Asia, has nourished the Fertile Crescent—a historically fertile region spanning several countries, including Iraq. However, the river’s water supply in central Iraq has been dwindling due to a combination of upstream dams, outdated irrigation methods, and the effects of climate change. Officials report that water flows in the E...

Chinese cities are sweltering in record-breaking heat, putting rice-growing regions at risk. Beijing: On Tuesday (Aug 6), extreme heat gripped megacities along China's eastern seaboard, sharply increasing power demand as homes and offices sought relief from the scorching temperatures. Meanwhile, the intense heat in China's interior has raised concerns about potential damage to rice crops. In Hangzhou, a megacity with 12.5 million residents and home to major companies like Alibaba and NetEase, authorities banned non-essential outdoor lighting and light shows to conserve energy. Temperatures in the city have soared above 40 degrees Celsius since Friday, as eastern and southern China continue to endure relentless heat. Shanghai, with nearly 25 million people, saw its power grid's maximum load surpass 40 million kilowatts for the first time on Aug 2, as heat waves drove up electricity consumption. Hangzhou's power grids also recorded new highs, prompting officials to implem...

Singapore looks to build first-of-its-kind renewable energy farm in waters around Raffles Lighthouse Singapore is planning to build a pioneering renewable energy farm in the waters surrounding Raffles Lighthouse. This ambitious project is part of Singapore's broader efforts to enhance its sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint. The renewable energy farm is expected to harness ocean-based renewable energy sources, such as tidal, wave, or offshore wind energy, potentially combined with solar panels floating on the water's surface. The choice of location near Raffles Lighthouse, which is situated on the island of Pulau Satumu off the southern coast of Singapore, is strategic. The surrounding waters provide the necessary conditions for various renewable energy technologies to operate effectively. If successful, this project could serve as a model for other coastal cities and countries seeking to leverage marine environments for clean energy production. This initiative align...

Newly Established Joint Council CC23 Seeks to Address Global Challenges The Joint Council CC23, established in 2023, is an emerging organization in the field of global disaster management and environmental protection. This independent organization aims to facilitate cooperation between various international and governmental entities to address significant global challenges.  The Council works with a range of partners, including governmental bodies, military and law enforcement agencies, and educational institutions. Its goals include improving disaster response coordination, promoting sustainable development, and supporting effective policy-making. One of the Council’s key initiatives is the development of joint training programs and exercises for Emergency Responders (ERPs). These efforts are designed to enhance coordination and readiness in emergency management.  The organization also focuses on advancing environmental protection through collaborative projects and advocacy. ...

UN official describes total devastation in Carriacou following Hurricane Beryl      Hurricane Beryl has caused devastation on Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Humanitarian Aid Speaking via video link from Grenada, Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, described scenes of complete devastation in Carriacou, where Hurricane Beryl struck on 1 July. “The entire island is severely affected ... every single person has been impacted,” he emphasized. Hurricane Beryl, the strongest June hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean, began as a tropical depression and quickly intensified into a Category 4 storm, briefly reaching Category 5 status with winds up to 240 km/h (150 mph). By Friday morning (New York time), it had made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and is currently tracking west-northwest, expected to reach southern Texas, United States by Monday morning. ‘Very complicated crisis’ Mr. Springett characterized th...

UN warns of escalating tensions on Lebanon Israel ‘Blue Line’ frontier      UNIFIL deminers check an area along the Blue Line. Peace and Security The latest escalation, which occurred on Thursday, “heightens the risk of a full-scale war,” stated the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General in a note to correspondents. “Escalation can and must be avoided. We reiterate that the danger of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflagration is real,” it added, emphasizing that a political and diplomatic solution is the only viable path forward. The note further mentioned that on Thursday, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, met with the country’s officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, highlighting the need for de-escalation across the Blue Line. “We echo the appeals of UNSCOL and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) urging the parties to immediately ret...

New data reveals that refugees and migrants face violence, abuse, and death on routes across Africa      Aid workers from the UN migration agency IOM provide assistance to migrants who have been returned to shore in Libya after trying to cross the sea to Europe. Abuse along the route      Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Western and Central Mediterranean, emphasized that migrants and refugees face serious human rights violations and abuse along their routes, regardless of their status. He stressed the importance of maintaining outrage at such violence. It is estimated that more people cross the Sahara desert than the Mediterranean Sea, and deaths of refugees and migrants in the desert are believed to be twice as high as those at sea. The report titled “On this journey, no-one cares if you live or die” covers a three-year data collection period and warns of an increase in the number of individuals attempting these dangerous land crossings. ...