分类： world

Tropical Storm Lorenzo has shown signs of intensification as it continues its northwest trajectory across the central tropical Atlantic, according to the latest updates from the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. As of Monday morning, the storm was positioned approximately 1,150 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, boasting maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Lorenzo is currently moving at a speed of 16 mph (26 km/h), with a gradual deceleration anticipated overnight before it shifts northward on Tuesday. Forecasters predict minimal changes in the storm’s strength through early Tuesday, though some gradual intensification could occur by midweek. The storm’s tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 160 miles (260 kilometers) from its center, with a minimum central pressure estimated at 1002 millibars (29.59 inches). At present, no coastal watches or warnings have been issued. The situation remains under close monitoring as Lorenzo progresses across the Atlantic.

CARICOM leaders gathered in Saint Lucia from October 7 to 10, 2025, for the Second Regional Preparatory Meeting ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Hosted by the Government of Saint Lucia in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the event marked a pivotal moment in solidifying the Caribbean’s negotiating priorities and unified stance for the upcoming global climate summit in Belém, Brazil, this November. This meeting follows the successful first convening held earlier in Miami, highlighting the region’s unwavering commitment to amplifying a cohesive Caribbean voice in international climate negotiations. Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary General, emphasized the critical role of climate finance in the region’s advocacy, noting that while global pledges have increased, actual contributions remain insufficient and disbursements are slow and fragmented. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) continue to face bureaucratic hurdles, eligibility constraints, and inadequate support for adaptation and loss and damage. Key priorities discussed included reforming multilateral climate finance architecture to ensure equity and transparency, scaling up the Loss and Damage Fund, and addressing the unique vulnerabilities of SIDS. The four-day meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including ministers, technical experts, COP negotiators, and civil society representatives, showcasing the region’s whole-of-society approach to climate action. Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director of the CCCCC, underscored the importance of unity and moral clarity, stating that the Caribbean’s collective voice has historically influenced global climate policy, as seen in the Paris Agreement and the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund. The Caribbean, being on the frontline of the climate crisis, faces existential threats from rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, and coastal erosion, making climate action a matter of survival and resilience.

The catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Beryl on Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has laid bare the urgent need for enhanced disaster resilience. Aerial imagery reveals widespread destruction, with two-thirds of buildings obliterated, leaving countless residents homeless. Critical infrastructure—power, water, and transportation—lies in ruins, crippling daily life and exacerbating the island’s economic woes. The tourism sector, a cornerstone of the local economy, has suffered colossal losses, triggering a vicious cycle of unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has seized this moment to amplify its call for a paradigm shift in global financing. This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) underscores the theme ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,’ urging a redirection of resources from reactive disaster response to proactive prevention and preparedness. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the criticality of resilience investments, stating, ‘Every dollar invested in resilience saves many more in avoided losses and protects the dignity of those most at risk.’ The statistics are stark: 2024 saw a record 46 million people displaced by disasters, yet disaster risk reduction remains woefully underfunded, with most governments allocating less than 1% of their budgets to prevention. IOM is advocating for scaled-up investments from governments, donors, and the private sector to mitigate disaster impacts and bolster resilience. This includes integrating human mobility into risk-informed development and climate finance, ensuring communities can adapt, relocate, or rebuild with dignity. As the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) approaches, IOM aims to position disaster and climate risk reduction at the forefront of climate finance negotiations, leveraging tools like the Risk Index for Climate Displacement and the Climate Catalytic Fund to target hotspots, prevent displacement, and safeguard development gains.