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Tag: climate change

Warnings of climate change experts

Scientists who took part in the recent UN conference on climate change, held in Bonn, have warned that global carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase in 2017, for the first time in the past four years. The main cause for the increase, estimated at around 2%, is Chinas more extensive use of coal. Adding to this is the fact that draught triggered a decrease in water levels, hence a decrease in the hydropower production. Experts say that the US, where coal use has increased for the first time in five years due to a higher price of natural gas, and also the EU have done worse in 2017 as compared with previous years. The increase comes after three years of steady global emissions levels, which followed a decade of increases of carbon dioxide emissions by 3% per year.

Closely linked to carbon dioxide emissions, higher temperatures are also a notable problem. According to a report made public by the World Meteorological Organization in the opening of the Bonn conference, 2017 will probably go down as one of the hottest years in history. Statistical data shows that the past ten years have seen the highest temperatures in the history of international scientific measurements, while the number of natural disasters is five times higher than 40 years ago.

Such bad news puts pressure on the international community, with countries forced to work together to curb emissions if climate change is to be tempered down. Professor Mircea Dutu, head of the Ecological University in Bucharest, has explained what climate change is about:

Mircea Dutu: “Climate change is seen as the direct or indirect result of human activity that alters the composition of the atmosphere at global level, and which adds to the natural variations of the climate monitored during comparable periods. We must distinguish between climate change and natural variability. The latter means that there are changes generated by the normal, natural evolution, such as solar activity, the activity of the poles and so on. But when we talk about climate change we mean the changes triggered by human activity. What does this mean? It means that, as a result of emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapors and so on, the greenhouse effect, which is a natural phenomenon without which the surface of the earth might have an average temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius, making life on Earth impossible, is amplified by pollution. And climate change occurs.

The only solution to fight global warming is a common action plan. The head of the Climatology Section with the National Meteorology Agency, Roxana Bojariu, tells us how such a common plan could be implemented:

Roxana Bojariu: “I would say it is not easy, but it is possible and it is vital to curb emissions. We talk about buying more time, because we are already experiencing these changes – 2017 is one of the hottest years, probably the third hottest year in history, and we have broken records after records not only in terms of gradual warming at global level, but also in terms of extreme phenomena. Global agreements to cut gas emissions help us buy some time and learn to adjust and keep things under control. Otherwise, if the pace of these changes picks up, with emissions that exceed what weve planed, we might find ourselves unable to keep up with this change, which is very quick as it is, compared to the geological past of the Earth. Practically, in around 200 years we could see an increase in temperature by several degrees Celsius, which is the increase we had in the over 10,000 years between the Ice Age and the inter-glacial period. We are out of the geological scale and we must go back to it, by curbing emissions.

The good news is that the level of emissions has remained unchanged in recent years, which shows that we can achieve economic development even with a low level of emissions. The issue of climate change is also relevant when it comes to peoples health.

Mircea Dutu: “A report published on 31st October 2017 by the World Health Organisation shows that climate change already has a visible impact on health. Heat waves cause thermal stress and aggravate heart failure, while also increasing the risk of kidney failure as a result of dehydration. The report concludes that the symptoms caused by the rise in average temperatures and the multiplication of extreme weather phenomena have been visible for several years and their impact on health is much more severe than previously thought.

The conference in Bonn is the first major meeting on climate change after US president Donald Trump announced plans to pull his country out of the Paris Agreement.

(translated by: Elena Enache, Cristina Mateescu)

8 December 2017
Measures after devastating storms in Romania

Violent storms hit 15 counties in the west, north-west and the centre of Romania on Sunday, killing and injuring people and causing a lot of material damage. Helpless before the unleashed powers of nature, the authorities in Bucharest had to find some quick solutions to address the situation on the ground and take measures to limit the consequences. Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, who travelled to Timisoara, the city that was most severely affected by the storm, said his government would grant compensations for the damages. He said it was time Romania had in place a disaster alert system similar to that existing in other European states. Tudose said that, within two months at the most, the population would be able to receive emergency alerts on their mobile devices in case of unfavourable weather and take precautions.

“I had a meeting at the government with all mobile telephony providers, the Special Telecommunications Service, the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications, the agency that coordinates all these services. The alerts issued by various bodies, including the weather service or the fire department, go to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and then to the mobile telephony providers in the affected areas, so everybody in the coverage area receives an alert text.”

The mayor of Timisoara Nicolae Robu says the current warning system is very rudimentary and that fewer victims and less damage would have been caused if people had been informed about the storm. The new, more up-to-date alert system relies on sending specific text messages to mobile telephony subscribers. The alerts will be sent depending on the emergency situations that may occur at regional level, including extreme weather phenomena, major fires, risks of explosions and other calamities and threatening situations. A public information campaign will also begin in parallel with the implementation of the system to train the public on how to use the system.

The European regional policy commissioner Corina Cretu, who was on a trip to Zalau, said Romania can receive support from the European Union to address the effects of extreme weather phenomena. She explained that the Romanian authorities have 12 weeks to access the European solidarity fund, but that they can also use money from the regional development fund for reconstruction. Corina Cretu:

“First of all, the national authorities have to make an assessment of the damage. They have at their disposal the solidarity fund that provides assistance to member states. After the earthquake in Italy, we changed the legislation in the European Parliament so that states hit by natural disasters can use 95% of the regional development fund for reconstruction. So I am here to tell you that the European Union will help Romania, as it has always done.”

Last but not least, Romania will begin an information and prevention campaign about the negative effects of dangerous weather phenomena caused by climate change. (Translated by C. Mateescu)

19 September 2017
The Paris Climate Agreement in the Trump era

The high fluctuations of temperatures alongside the decreasing number of chilly days and nights and the increase in the number of scorcher days and heat waves have been a constant reality of the past 50 years. According to specialists, in the future, extreme heat and heavy rains will most likely increase in frequency at higher latitudes, while their occurrence is expected to drop in most tropical regions. Scientific data shows that without applying adequate measures to curb these phenomena, the sea level is likely to increase by one meter or more by 2100.

Following these developments, some island countries and many coastal regions will be completely covered by water. Statistics point to an increase in the rate of deaths caused by heat or by frost, depending on the region. Also, changes have become visible related to the propagation of some diseases transmittable by means of water or viruses. Following these climate changes, many sea and land species have been relocated. Activities that are dependent on certain temperatures and levels of precipitation such as those in agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism have also been very affected. Many of the poor, developing countries are extremely vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. And this is because the inhabitants of those areas heavily rely on their natural habitat and have scarce resources at hand to be able to adapt to the changing climate.

In this context, the decision of the US President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, which was adopted in December 2015 under the UN aegis, places him on the wrong side of history, according to the former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. At the same time, Donald Trumps decision has raised new challenges for the other participants in the Agreement. An action plan targeting the period starting in 2020, the agreement is aimed at limiting the increase in the global temperature, on the long term, at below 2 degrees Celsius as compared to the reference temperature reported in the pre-industrial era. The Agreement was adopted by 195 countries. Consistent with the promises made in the election campaign but criticized by the international community, the new White House leader decided to withdraw the US from the Agreement arguing that it was not beneficial to his countrys economy and to the Americans interests. And reactions were not late to appear.

The French President Emmanuel Macron said the American Presidents decision was a “mistake for the future of our planet, while China has reiterated its commitment to fighting climate change. After the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, the EU became the promoter of sustained climate policies allocating to member states funds for investment, among other things. The funds are meant to help these countries replace the old industries with new, more environment-friendly ones. Since the measures for approaching climate change and for reducing green house gas emissions are priorities for the EU, the European leaders have committed to turning Europe into a very efficient economic power in terms of energy, with low carbon dioxide emissions. Another EU target is to decrease by 80 up to 95% the green house gas emissions by 2050 as compared to the level reported in 1990. Romania has from the very beginning participated in the international political process regarding climate change, being part of the framework convention on climate change and of the Kyoto Protocol. The president of the National Agency for Environmental Protection, Viorel Toma explains:

“Romania has met its target of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions for the first part the 2008 – 2012 period and meets the requirements for the second target period under the Doha amendment, 2013-2020. Romania does have a strategy on climate change and economic growth based on reduced carbon dioxide emissions as well as an action plan for the 2016-2020 period. The strategy is structured along two action lines, namely the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change. Planning for the current 2014-2020 framework stipulates that 27.53% of the European funds be earmarked for projects with a climatic component. The implementation of energy-efficient projects and the use of renewable energy resources at local level pose a real challenge for Romania in the coming period.

It is Bucharests policy to encourage the generation and use of renewable energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in big cities. Concurrently, schools, kindergartens and town hall buildings shall benefit from renewable energy, which means less expenses in terms of the local budget. (Translated by L. Simion & E. Nasta)

8 September 2017
August 5, 2017

HEAT WAVE – A quarter of Romanias territory has been placed under code red alert for extreme heat until Saturday night; in 12 counties in western Romania temperatures are expected to soar to 42 degrees Celsius. This is the second code red alert issued this summer, after the one in early July. The rest of the country remains under a code orange alert with temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius. The code red alert will stay in place on Sunday in 2 counties in the south-west, and nearly 3-quarters of the country will remain under a code orange warning. The thermal discomfort index went over 80 and could reach 82-84 units. Over the past two days 2 people died and hundreds required assistance because of the extreme heat. First-aid tents have been set up in all major cities to provide fresh cold water to people. Mobile ambulance and medical services have been placed on high alert and speed restrictions are in place on the national railway network as well as on the countrys main roads with a view to avoiding accidents. The drought Romania is currently facing has severely damaged the corn and sunflower crops. Weather experts say that the heat wave will last until mid-next week, but only in the south, while atmospheric instability will increase, particularly in the mountains and in the north of the country.

ALERT – Extreme temperatures are also reported across Europe this weekend. Code red alerts are in place in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary, in most of Slovenia, south of Poland, south of Slovakia, south of Switzerland, in central and south-eastern Italy as well as in the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. High wildfire risks are reported in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Albania, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. The Foreign Ministry recommends that areas under alert should be avoided, and says that Romanian diplomatic missions abroad are prepared to provide assistance to those who request it.

SAXONS – The city of Sibiu in central Romania is hosting, until Sunday, the 27th and largest so far meeting of Transylvanian Saxon ethnics, under the motto “Home around the world, heart in Transylvania. Taking part are around 12,000 Saxon ethnics, most of them living at present in Germany, Austria and the USA. More than 50 events will take place in the medieval squares of Sibiu, from exhibitions and book launches to music and dance performances. The most eagerly awaited of them is a parade of Saxon traditional costumes, an event scheduled for today and in which the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, himself a German ethnic, is expected to take part. The head of state said this years meeting is an opportunity for the younger generation of Saxons living in Germany to get to know and like more their parents home country. The Saxon ethnics settled in Transylvania starting in the mid-12th Century.

HEROES Romania continues to commemorate today its WWI heroes through a series of ceremonies held all over the country. The peak of these events organised by the National Defence Ministry and the Vrancea County Council will be on Sunday, when the country marks 100 years since the Battle of Marasesti, a watershed moment for Romania in the Great War. Regarded as one of the most impressive monuments in the country, the Mausoleum in Marasesti was built in the place where, in the summer of 1917, the Romanian soldiers stood their ground against a technically superior and better-trained German army, losing 480 officers and over 21,000 troops.

CLIMATE – The USA notified the UN on the intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, but will continue to take part in international negotiations, the American State Department announced. Washington will take part in the forthcoming annual UN conference on climate, due in November in Bonn, Germany. On June 1, the US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the country from this agreement aimed at containing global warming and signed in 2015 by 195 states. Trump says the deal damages the American economy, but he does not rule out the US rejoining the process after renegotiations or even the signing of a new agreement able to protect the US. Under the Agreement, an official withdrawal notification can only take effect 3 years after the agreement has come into force, that is on November 4, 2016. Donald Trump will therefore be able to renounce the deal only at the end of 2019, with a one-year notice, AFP reports.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

5 August 2017
July 14, 2017

SABER GUARDIAN — The Romanian Foreign Ministry has hailed the 2017 Saber Guardian multinational military exercise, held on Romania’s territory by the United States Ground and Service Forces Europe. According to a Ministry press release, the exercise brings together over 20 NATO and partner states, with a significant number of troops and technical equipment, being the largest and most comprehensive military drill hosted by Romania in recent years. Saber Guardian is a key military exercise, contributing to consolidating defense and deterrence capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank and to developing interoperability between participant countries. The exercise is also a sign of solidarity, highlighting the robust trans-Atlantic relation and the bilateral strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, signed 20 years ago.

JULY 14 — The National Day of France is today marked at the French Embassy in Bucharest. The theme at this year’s cocktail party is sports, with famous Romanian and French athletes among the guests of honor. Attending the event will be Prime Minister Mihai Tudose. Last week former Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu met in Paris with his counterpart, Edouard Philippe. It was the first official meeting for Philippe after taking over as Prime Minister in May. Romania currently has a strategic bilateral partnership with France, signed in 2008.

ROMANIAN-FRENCH RELATIONS — Romania plays a key role in Central and Eastern Europe, promoting fundamental European values, French Ambassador to Bucharest Michele Ramis said. In an interview to RFI, Ramis said she wants to strengthen bilateral economic relations, which are good right now against the backdrop of economic growth in Romania. On the other hand, France will support Romania in preparing its term at the helm of the European Council in the first semester of 2019, Michele Ramis said.

WORLD EXHIBITION — Romania’s pavilion at the World Exhibition hosted by Astana, Kazakhstan, has a daily average number of 1,500 visitors, Mihail Dediu, the head of the Romanian delegation told Radio Romania. The theme this year is the energy of tomorrow. Romania’s pavilion is devoted to the high-power laser in Magurele, southern Romania, the largest research project in Romania in the last 50 years. Romania thus wants to promote Romania’s potential for innovation in the field of research, Mihail Dediu said.

CLIMATE CHANGE — Climate change will prompt a swift temperature spike, intensifying extreme meteorological phenomena and heavy downpours, causing crop failures and coral loss in the Asia-Pacific area, climatologists have warned. These developments are the result of the failure to observe the Paris Accord on Climate Change. Signed in 2015 and enacted in November 2016, the agreement provides for keeping a global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius as compared to pre-industrial levels. To reach this target, swifter and harsher measures are needed, climate experts argue. If the world’s population keeps emitting greenhouse gases fueling global warming, the average global temperature will rise by at least 4 degrees by the end of the century, and even by 6 degrees Celsius in some regions.

WIMBLEDON — The pair made up of Monica Niculescu of Romania and Hao-Ching Chan of Taiwan is today playing Markota Ninomiya of Japan and Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic in the women’s doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon. Niculescu and Chan previously knocked out Catherine Bellis of the United States and Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic. This is Niculescu’s best performance in a Grand Slam doubles competition, after reaching the Roland Garros quarterfinals in 2010 and the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2012. The best-rated player from Romania right now, Simona Halep, WTA no. 2, was knocked out in the quarterfinals after losing to Johanna Konta of Great Britain.

FOOTBALL — Romanian football club Astra Giurgiu defeated 3-1 Zira FK of Azerbaijan in the first leg of the Europa League second preliminary round. The return leg will be played on July 20 in Baku. The other teams representing Romania in Europa League are Dinamo Bucharest and CSU Craiova. Playing in the Champions League preliminaries will be Viitorul Constanta and FCSB. (Translated by V. Palcu)

14 July 2017
July 8, 2017 UPDATE

G20 — The G20 Summit ended in Germany with a final declaration. According to FP the leaders of major world powers made concessions to the US President Donald Trump with respect to climate change and trade, hoping to maintain him within G20. The final declaration was adopted at the end of two days of the summit, marked by strong tension in Hamburg, which was the stage of violent protests. The G20 member states took note of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on fighting global warming and allow it to further pursue a different policy in that field, the declaration also writes. French President, Emmanuel Macron, has announced that a new summit on reducing greenhouse effects will be held in Paris on December 12. In the economic field, German chancellor Angela Merkel said an agreement was reached to endorse free trade and reject protectionism. Bilateral talks were also held on the sidelines of the summit. US President Donald Trump on Saturday gave assurances during a meeting with British PM Theresa May that his country will very soon sign a trade agreement with the UK. As regards Friday’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two leaders agreed on putting in place a ceasefire in southwestern Syria, to take effect as of Sunday at noon. In another move, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada will be temporarily enforced, as of September 21, the two sides announced on Saturday. The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau, agreed at the G20 Summit on the aforementioned date, waiting for the full enforcement of the agreement by the national parliaments of all EU member states.

VISIT – Romania complies with all pledges it has made to the EU- this is the message to be conveyed in Brussels next week by Romanian PM Mihai Tudose. He will meet with all EU high officials, the Presidents of the European Commission, Council and Parliament, respectively, the minister delegate for European affairs, Victor Negrescu announced on Saturday. Negrescu also added the government pays special heed to international cooperation and European affairs.

MILITARY EXERCISE — US bombers on Saturday carried out bomber drills in South Korea, in response to North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile test. The aircraft flew from the Pacific island of Guam and dropped neutral bombs in a demarcated area, being escorted by Japanese and South-Korean fighter planes, BBC reports. The US air forces have announced that North Korea’s actions are a threat to America’s allies and to the United States’ territory and expressed readiness to launch attacks if need be.

FESTIVALS — Over 150,000 people are expected to attend the Neversea music festival, taking place in Constanta this weekend, the biggest of the festivals taking place on the Romanian Black Sea Coast this summer. The event gathers many famous artists, such as Tiesto, Afrojack, Jason Derulo, Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Fatboy Slim, Years&Years, and Ella Eyre. At the same time, the small village of Garana in south-western Romania is the venue for the 21st edition of the International Jazz Festival, the most complex outdoor event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, bringing onto the stage 18 bands. Tourists can also enjoy the mountain routes in the area, outdoor film screenings, theatre shows, yoga classes and fairs.

TENNIS– The pair made up of Romanian tennis player Florin Mergea and Pakistani Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi on Saturday qualified for the Wimbledon third round, the third largest grand slam tournament of the year. They defeated the all-Austrian pair Julian Knowle/Philipp Oswald, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5). Also on Saturday Romanian woman tennis player Sorana Cirstea, no. 63 WTA failed to qualify for the next stage of the competition, after loosing to Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, 14th seeded, 6-2,6-2. We recall that Romania’s best-ranked woman tennis player, second seeded Simona Halep has already qualified for the eighth finals, after defeating China’s Shuai Peng no.37 WTA. Simona Halep will next meet Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

8 July 2017
June 29, 2017 UPDATE

Government validation — The government proposed by the Prime Minister designate, Social Democrat Mihai Tudose, was validated on Thursday by Romania’s Parliament. Also on Thursday the members of the new executive were sworn in in the presence of the President Klaus Iohannis. Among the objectives of the new cabinet, PM Tudose mentioned increasing the budget revenue collection rate, attracting foreign investors, boosting investments in infrastructure and a higher rate of absorption of European funds. The creation of a position of deputy-prime minister without portfolio to coordinate inter-ministerial activities is the only change in the structure of the cabinet. The new government’s membership includes 16 ministers from the previous cabinet led by Sorin Grindeanu that was dismissed after a no-confidence vote initiated by the main ruling party itself, the Social Democratic Party.

Romanian Bulgarian cooperation — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev took part today in the opening of a business forum, which they said was meant to stimulate economic cooperation. On Wednesday, the two heads of state had already discussed increasing relationships in the economy, especially in areas such as energy and transportation. Iohannis told his counterpart that Romania was ready to share with Bulgaria its experience in combating corruption. In turn, President Radev said that a secure external EU border needed Romania and Bulgaria within the Schengen space. The two presidents analyzed more concrete means of promoting common EU interests and objectives, considering that Bulgaria and Romania will be holding the half-year presidency of the European Council, in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Iohannnis and Radev have spoken in favor of a strong transatlantic relationship, and have shown concern for security in the Black Sea area.

ISIS propaganda – A 39-year-old man suspected of propaganda for Islamic State and the intention to stage an attack on a military base in Romania has been detained by prosecutors in Arges county, in southern Romania. According to the anti-terror prosecutor’s office, the suspect, known as ‘Ibrahim’, has posted and distributed on social networks photos with the logo of the Islamic State terrorist group, as well as footage of attacks and executions, through beheading and shooting, with the intention of promoting it and attracting supporters capable of committing similar acts. Moreover, he has repeatedly voiced the intention to go to Syria and join the Islamic State. Previously, he had carefully searched the surroundings of a military base in Romania. According to the Romanian Intelligence Service, the suspect has been under monitoring for two years, since he joined a radical Islam movement while on the territory of another EU member country, where he got in contact with members of a jihadist group.

Weather -In Romania, the heat wave is intensifying, and will cover most of the country. The heat index will be over 80 in the west, south and east of the country. Skies will be mostly clear. Maximum temperatures will reach 39 degrees Celsius. The National Meteorology Administration said that this might be the hottest July on record. A code yellow alert for very hot weather is in effect in almost all of Romania’s counties, and several counties in the southwest are under code orange alert. For Friday and Saturday, meteorologists are considering a code red alert for the south and southwest. Interior Minister Carmen Dan has said 840 ambulances and 270 special vehicles will be available for emergencies nationwide.

Cyber attack — The massive cyber attack that Tuesday affected big companies all over the world proved that the fight against cyber crime needed to be intensified, said Thursday, the European Security Commissioner, Julian King. He announced that the EC would allot further funds for 14 EU members and that unity against cyber crime within the Europol would be increased. Commissioner King added that in September the EC would revise its strategy regarding cyber crime. Tuesday’s attacks also targeted companies and institutions from Romania.

Climate change — European leaders on Thursday stated that they would cooperate to promote their opinions regarding climate change and trade freedom at the G20 summit to be held next week in Hamburg. According to Reuters, they will make clear, though, that they are not trying to isolate the US President Donald Trump who has different views on both issues. The German chancellor Angela Merkel said the European countries wanted to convey a message of determination while trying to work out common solutions with Washington. In turn, the French president Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that the US would become rational again, after announcing its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. He added that Europe had many things in common with the US, including the views on approaching terrorism. (news translated and adapted by L. Simion)

29 June 2017
Agreement on climate change

Signed in 2015 by almost 200 countries with a view to curbing global warming, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is to come into effect in November. This international agreement, setting the guidelines for a global approach to climate change after 2020, is the third major document in this line, after the UN Convention on Climate Change of 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol of 1997. US president Barack Obama has confirmed the agreement will come into effect in November after having been adopted by some of the worlds major polluters.

President Obama said ‘the United States and China, the worlds two largest economies and largest emitters formally joined that agreement. And today the world has officially crossed the threshold for the Paris Agreement to take effect. Today, the world meets the moment. And if we follow through on the commitments that this agreement embodies, history may well judge it as a turning point for our planet. The White House leader has described the accord as “the best possible shot to save the one planet weve got. In Bucharest professor PhD Mircea Dutu recalls the context on the conclusion of this accord by presenting the situation of the past years in terms of climate change.

We have to admit, in spite of some peoples opinions, that what we are actually witnessing now is a slowdown in the climate change process, in reality that process has been maintained. With the emergence of such global phenomena as El Nino or La Nina, the average temperatures oscillated, mainly rising above the known averages. Its common knowledge that since the year 2000 we have been witnessing the warmest period of more than one decade in recorded weather history and that extreme weather phenomena tend to become regular. That makes some people refer to the situation as climate derangement, others as climate change and the most pessimistic even speak of a change in the entire climate system, as we know it since mid-twentieth century, the 1960s. Worth noting is that with carbon dioxide emissions exceeding the critical threshold of 400 parts per million, well have to expect a rise in average temperatures at world level, unless, of course, major factors intervene. Under the circumstances, to prevent an unbalance that would lead to a wave of climate disturbances and radically alter human life as we know it, action has been taken for some time at an international level. The first firm signal and document in this respect was signed in Rio in 1992, namely the Framework Convention on Climate Change. This was followed by the Kyoto Protocol and the question has arisen in recent years as to what we do post-Kyoto.

Unlike the previous UN agreement on global warming, the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, which needed 8 years to come into force and which only targeted the rich countries, the Paris Agreement will be enforced quickly. One reason for this may be the fact that according to the forecasts made by a number of UN studies, the world average temperature is expected to grow by 3 degrees Celsius or more by 2100 based on current trends. 2016 is expected to be the hottest in record since the 19th century. Academy member Mircea Dutu tells us about the novelties of the Paris Agreement:

“The Paris Agreement, which was signed by 195 member states, is the first success of a negotiation process held under the UN aegis beginning in 2000. The scope of the treaty is universal and a matter of international law, which means it also applies to domestic law, despite being of a political nature. What is unprecedented is the fact that civil society is engaged and has mobilized itself alongside the worlds states to carry out the goals set, namely limiting the rise in global temperature to 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, and if possible, to 1.5 degrees. Another objective has to do with making sure that greenhouse gas emissions are neutralized starting 2050. At the same time, the treaty sets voluntary national quotas to be revised every 5 years. Adopted by consensus, the Paris Treaty also has a number of major shortcomings. First of all, it is not mandatory, with national contributions remaining voluntary. Secondly, it does not contain any form of mechanism of verification, being instead based on transparency and the states own willingness to respect the commitment they have made.

As far as Romania is concerned, Professor Mircea Dutu says this country has wholeheartedly committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, has already exceeded the standards and proposed objectives with regard to the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption and has the ability to fulfill the European objectives in the field.

(Translated by D. Bilt and C. Mateescu)

14 October 2016
Effects of Climate Change

If you think the ongoing influx of refugees is a large-scale phenomenon, imagine a calamity which is hundreds of times bigger than that, and which is sure to occur in the near future. This is the grim forecast of the experts working for the Max Planck Institute in Germany. They say that, against the backdrop of a global temperature increase, over 500 million people will have no other choice but leave their home countries. Statistics have revealed that between 1986 and 2005 there were around 16 days with extreme heat per year. Climate data point to the fact that this number is on the rise and by the end of the century will surely reach 200. Heat waves accompanied by sandstorms will turn the Middle East and North Africa into places where survival will be virtually impossible. But beyond statistics, the effect of climate change is felt everywhere. Mircea Dutu, the rector of the Ecological University in Bucharest, told us about the most relevant effects of the climate change and also about the areas where such effects are most visible.

Mircea Dutu: Theres no doubt that these effects are diverse and mainly consist in extreme phenomena occurring with a greater frequency, such as temperature increases, lengthy drought periods, sweltering heat, rainfalls coming at a faster pace, flooding and other related phenomena. The most severely affected by that are the agriculture, the transport system, but also peoples daily life. Climate change is a fact that can no longer be denied, it can be felt at global, regional and local level, and something substantial needs to be done on two key levels, given that such phenomena are mainly caused by human action, through the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. “

Temperature at global level is on the rise, the patterns of precipitations change, glaciers and snow melt, and the global sea level is also on the rise – it is a reality which cannot be denied. Experts expect these changes to continue, and extreme weather phenomena that lead to threats such as floods and drought to occur more often, and to get stronger.

Mircea Dutu: “Throughout the world, sensitive areas have been identified that are more vulnerable to climate change, such as India, Bangladesh, and the Vanuatu archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, but also in North Africa and the Middle East, which are thought to be going to be affected worse by climate change. A study recently published by the Max Planck Institute in Germany and an institute in Cyprus shows that North Africa and the Middle East will be some of the worst affected areas by the year 2100, with average temperatures rising, increased sweltering heat waves, diminished farming output, and hundreds of thousands of people being displaced, seeking refuge in Europe or other parts of the world. There are studies and predictions currently issued stating that by 2100 a new category of refugees will emerge, climate refugees. It is believed as many as 800 million people might end up in this situation, seeking refuge to other territories because of climate change.

Studies run by environmental agencies indicate that the Mediterranean area and even some northern areas are the most sensitive to climate change, says Mircea Dutu:

Mircea Dutu: “These are areas which are developing more frequent and more intense extreme weather phenomena, desertification is more and more obvious, we foresee a higher and higher impact on agriculture and food production, which will impact standards of living and the quality of life, and doubtlessly this will create migration pressure. As an aside, we have to say that, with regard to Syria, there have been speculations that conflicts and population migration have behind them a certain climatic theme, so to say say, in the sense that until 2012 we saw a period of continued drought, and in that situation a lot of people living in farming areas had to move to cities, which generated social tensions, eventually resulting in the war and the massive exodus, mostly towards Europe.

EU initiatives have been issued to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to Mircea Dutu, under the present circumstances we have to expect the EU to redefine its policies towards energy consumption and climate change, with more commitment from member states.

19 August 2016
13 December 2015

Budget. Parliament’s specialist committees are today trying to
finalise talks on the 2016 budget bill so that the two houses can vote on the
bill on Wednesday. Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the Social Democratic Party,
which forms Parliament’s largest group, publicly called on Romania’s
technocratic prime minister Dacian Ciolos to name a date for the increase in
the minimum wage by Tuesday at the latest. Dragnea said he was opposed to the
indefinite postponement of this rise, which the former leftist government had
proposed. The Ciolos cabinet said the rise in the minimum wage from 233 euros
to 266 euros cannot be implemented without first assessing the measure’s
economic and budgetary impact. The 2016 budget is based on an estimated growth
rate of around 4% and a maximum budget deficit of 3%.

Climate deal. The international community has hailed the conclusion of
a landmark climate change agreement in Paris on Saturday. After two weeks of
intense negotiations, delegates from almost 200 states adopted a new accord at
the end of the UN climate conference of parties (COP21) hosted by the French
capital. The new deal aims to limit the rise in global temperatures to less
than 2 degrees Celsius. Progress will be reviewed every five years, and rich
countries will provide financial support to developing nations to help them
reduce their emissions level and adjust to climate change. US president Barack
Obama said the new climate change agreement is a turning point for the world.
The president of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker said the world is
now united in the fight against climate change.

French elections. France
is holding the second round of regional elections today, with the far-right
National Front seeking to gain control in several regions. Commentators say the
voting may confirm the rise of the far-right, whose anti-immigration and
anti-Islam rhetoric is increasingly appealing to voters in the aftermath of
last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris. In the first round, the National Front
won a record 30% of the votes, placing it ahead of the moderate right in
opposition and the ruling Socialist Party.

Euro 2016. Romania and the
host country France will play the opening match at the 2016 European Football
Championship, on June 10th, as the draw was made on Saturday in
Paris. Romania are in Group A, together with Switzerland and first-time
qualifiers Albania. For the first time, 24 nations will contest the tournament,
drawn into six groups of four teams each. The top two in each group plus the
four best-placed sides advance to the round of last 16. Euro 2016 will be held
between the 10th of June and the 10th of July in ten
cities across France. The final will take place on the 10th of July in
Paris. This is Romania’s 5th European tournament, after 1984, 1996,
2000 and 2008. Their best result so far dates from 2000, when they reached the
quarterfinals.

Handball. Romania
face defending world champions Brazil today in the round of last 16 at the
Women’s World Handball Championship in Denmark. On Friday, Romania lost their
final Group D match against Russia, having already been defeated by the
defending Olympic and European champions Norway and by Spain. Romania managed
to qualify for the round of last 16 thanks to their two convincing wins against
Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan. Romania are the only team to have taken part in
every edition of the World Championship since 1957, winning three medals.

Basketball. For the first in
history, Romania will host group games of the 2017 Men’s European Basketball
Championship in the western city of Cluj Napoca, the International Basketball
Federation has announced in Munich. Finland, Israel and Turkey will also host
group games, while the final knockout rounds will take place in Istanbul. This
year’s European Basketball Championship was the first to be hosted by multiple
countries, namely France, Germany, Latvia and Croatia. The European title went
to Spain.

(Translated by: C. Mateescu)

13 December 2015
30 November 2015

Climate change. Alongside heads of state and government from 149 countries, the Romanian
president Klaus Iohannis today attends the opening of the 21st
session of the Conference of the Parties as part of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference, which takes places
until the 11th of December, aims to achieve a new legally binding
and universal international agreement on climate change to be applied as of
January 1st 2021. On Sunday, Klaus Iohannis attended the EU-Turkey
summit in Brussels. The Romanian president said Turkey plays a key role in
solving the migration problem and underlined that Romania supports this
country’s EU accession process. He also called for stepping up visa
liberalisation for Turkish nationals, provided Ankara meets its commitments in
this regard. At the end of the summit, the EU said it will grant Turkey a first
3 billion euro package to stem the migrant flow to Europe and will speed up
talks on Turkey’s EU accession. Turkey itself pledged to secure its borders and
cooperate in the fight against illegal human trafficking on the Union’s
borders.

Colectiv fire. The victims of a deadly fire at Bucharest’s Colectiv
nightclub were commemorated today, one month after the tragedy that cut short
the lives of 60 people and injured almost 200. According to the interior
ministry, one of the injured was transferred today to a hospital in Austria. 36
people are still undergoing treatment in Bucharest, while 29 others are in
hospitals abroad. Four different inquiries carried out by the National Anticorruption
Directorate and the General Prosecutor’s Office have revealed a long series of
irregularities, including in the case of the bodies in charge of verifying compliance
with fire protection regulations. A number of persons have been arrested, including
the owners of the club and of the company that organised the pyrotechnics show
that sparked the fire, while two heads of departments from the Inspectorate for
Emergency Situations have been sacked.

National Day. More than 2,600 troops and army personnel and 360 pieces of military
equipment will take part in the National Day parade on December 1st
in Bucharest. This year, the Romanian military will be joined in the parade by
troops from the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, the United States, Poland and
Turkey. Concerts, exhibitions, film screenings and official receptions are held
across Romania and abroad to celebrate the National Day. Declared an official
celebration after the post-communist revolution of 1989, December 1st
marks the completion, in 1918, at the end of the First World War, of the
building process of the Romanian unitary nation-state following the union with
Romania of all provinces with a majority Romanian population that had been
under the control of neighbouring multinational empires.

NATO. NATO foreign ministers will meet
in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss security challenges. Romania will be
represented by its foreign minister Lazar Comanescu. Talks will focus on the
consolidation of NATO’s eastern flank, the organisation’s relationship with
Russia and its military cooperation with the European Union, as well as the
situation in Afghanistan.

Christmas. Almost 3 million Christmas lights will be switched on tonight in
Bucharest. The Christmas market in the centre of the city already opened on
Friday. Its 60 stalls sell everything from food to jewellery and Christmas
decorations. The market is decorated with over 10,000 light bulbs, while its
15-metre tall Christmas tree is illuminated by 20,000 bulbs. Concerts and
performances will be held every day at the market all month. A humanitarian
campaign is also being run, encouraging people to donate books and toys for
disadvantaged children.

Patron saint. Romania’s majority Orthodox population, as well as its Greek-Catholic
and Roman-Catholic communities today celebrate the Feast of St Andrew.
Considered the patron saint of Romania, St Andrew introduced Christianity to
these parts and first baptised the locals in Dobruja, on the Black Sea’s
western coast. 700,000 people in Romania are named after this saint.

(Translated by: C. Mateescu)

30 November 2015