We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world<\/a> \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues.\u00a0 While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.<\/p>\n Although the term \u2018climate change\u2019 is widely used across society, its precise meaning is rarely fully explained.\u00a0 As I\u2019ve discussed in previous articles<\/a>, in general terms, climate change relates to changes to weather patterns and temperature.\u00a0 These can be caused naturally or by man[1]<\/a>.\u00a0 Since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, human activity is recognized as being the main driver of climate change[2]<\/a>, largely through the burning of fossil fuels<\/a> like oil, coal and gas. \u00a0Climate change isn\u2019t just about temperatures rising though; the planet has interconnected systems, so changes in one area can influence changes<\/a> in others[3]<\/a>.\u00a0 Climate change impacts our:<\/p>\n The UN-led Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change<\/a> summarizes where it is hitting hardest[4]<\/a>:<\/p>\n Thankfully, over the past decade governments across the world have woken up to the consequences of such dramatic changes to our planet.<\/p>\n According to official data, almost half of the world\u2019s population is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change[5]<\/a>.\u00a0 The UN reported that each of the 10 years to 2024 were the hottest on record[6]<\/a> and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2024 was the hottest ever[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n The WMO goes on to say greenhouse gases hit record levels in 2023, as did ocean temperatures.\u00a0 Furthermore, it said the rate of sea level rises from 2014 to 2023 was more than double that rate between 1993 and 2002.\u00a0 If that wasn\u2019t bad enough, WMO reports that glaciers lost a record amount of water in 2023.<\/p>\n The WMO predicts that temperatures will stay at or near record levels during the next five years[8]<\/a>, while the World Weather Attribution organization describes extreme weather reaching \u201cdangerous new heights in 2024\u201d[9]<\/a>.\u00a0 It suggests that the number of people killed by extreme weather events intensified in 2024, taking into the tens or even hundreds of thousands.<\/p>\n It goes without saying that all countries are likely to be affected by climate change in some way.\u00a0 Being prepared depends on the type and scale of potential risks that a country faces. \u00a0It may be extreme heat in arid parts of the world or flooding in coastal zones.\u00a0 The UN Environment Programme[10]<\/a> details five actions countries can take to prepare themselves:<\/p>\n Together, it is hoped these actions can help to mitigate the harm caused by climate change.<\/p>\n As the International Rescue Committee[11]<\/a> reminds us, it is often the most vulnerable populations<\/a> that are on the frontline of climate change \u2013 despite contributing little to greenhouse gas emissions.\u00a0 These countries are mainly in Africa<\/a>, Asia and the Middle East. \u00a0This puts an even greater onus on developed nations to support others in preparing for climate change.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not just developing countries having to prepare for climate change \u2013 developed nations could also be facing some of the worst of the effects of climate change.\u00a0 The threats posed by climate change recognize no borders.\u00a0 Indeed, Europe is the world\u2019s fastest-warming<\/a> continent, according to the European Environment Agency[12]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many of the UN\u2019s recommended climate-change actions can be applied at local levels in cities and across communities. \u00a0Climate change actions in cities and communities<\/a> may include:<\/p>\n One suggestion is the development of \u201cspongy cities<\/a>\u201d [13]<\/a>, where natural surroundings like parks and waterways are used as part of flood defenses. \u00a0Auckland in New Zealand is known for its \u2018sponginess\u2019. \u00a0Here, positive actions include replacing concrete culverts with vegetation, such as reeds and ferns, that absorb water. \u00a0However, efforts to increase green areas in cities can come up against economic demands to build more housing. Auckland\u2019s relatively low urban density is a case in point as the city faces pressure from developers[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some countries are pursuing a \u2018carrot and stick\u2019 approach to make key infrastructure more resilient to climate change. \u00a0A combination of incentives and penalties[15]<\/a> are used to coax or punish infrastructure providers.<\/p>\n The carrot can come in the form of incentives and grants to businesses to make infrastructure more resilient to climate change. \u00a0The stick applies when regulatory authorities punish developers for failing to meet standards of follow guidelines. \u00a0For example, penalties and fines can be applied for non-compliance, when projects are delayed, or if transport services are disrupted.<\/p>\n There are plenty of positive examples of cities preparing for climate change from around the world[16]<\/a>, showing how even small changes can make a difference.\u00a0 They show how important it is to build resilience by making it a key consideration early on in construction processes.<\/p>\n Tree planting is one such small step with the potential to make a much larger difference. In Canada, Toronto has a goal to increase the city\u2019s tree canopy to 40% by 2025 with the aim of planting 120,000 trees per year[17]<\/a>. \u00a0As well as reducing risks from landslides and flash floods, trees cool urban areas. \u00a0The city authorities also emphasize that trees can help boost property prices and increase health by filtering out air pollution.<\/p>\n Another small but significant idea is to encourage urban gardens as green spaces in cities.\u00a0 Urban gardens serve the dual purpose of mitigating against the impacts of climate change while feeding the population.\u00a0 Two cities on different continents supporting each other on gardening ideas are Dresden and Brazzaville. \u00a0In Congo\u2019s capital Brazzaville, a project links gardening and food production with education initiatives in schools. \u00a0While in Germany, Dresden is leveraging its traditional small allotment gardens to meet its aim of being an \u2018edible city\u2019[18]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Resilience to climate change takes many forms.\u00a0 The Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) was set up in 2018 to keep momentum going on climate-change initiatives.\u00a0 It estimates that investing US$ 1.8 trillion in five critical areas between 2020 and 2030 could generate net benefits of US$ 7.1 trillion[19]<\/a> (see table).<\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, the cost of doing something about climate change can be a sticking point, which seems odd given the substantial cost<\/a> of ignoring the problem.\u00a0 Insufficient funding for action on climate change is certainly a tricky issue: the UN Environment Programme\u2019s Adaptation Gap Report 2023 is subtitled \u2018Underfinanced. Underprepared\u2019[20]<\/a>.\u00a0 The report looks at seven ways to increase financing through a combination of domestic expenditure international and private sector finance (see graphic).<\/p>\n To be welcomed are initiatives like the UN\u2019s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, which says \u201ceveryone can play a role in bringing back nature\u201d[21]<\/a> by preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems.\u00a0 It includes a \u201cpledge to restore earth\u201d that we can all make.<\/p>\n The thrust of efforts by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is around \u201cstrengthening the weakest links in the early warning chain\u201d[22]<\/a>. \u00a0Another significant observation here is that \u201cyou can\u2019t logic people into preparedness\u201d.\u00a0 The solution is more likely to come through better communication and engagement with people most at risk from climate-related disasters.\u00a0 Hence, the UNDRR\u2019s recently launched global platform for reducing risks shows it is taking a \u201cleave no one behind\u201d approach.\u00a0 Elsewhere, the World Bank operates a global facility[23]<\/a> that is helping poorer countries to reduce their vulnerability, including with grant financing.<\/p>\n Tanzania is a case in point as the country is susceptible to flooding.\u00a0 Efforts to increase tree cover and improve flood preparedness have received US$ 1.7 billion of \u201cresilience investments\u201d from the World Bank [24]<\/a>.\u00a0 Initiatives include encouraging local communities to map flood-prone areas so more can be understood about where risks are highest. \u00a0Elsewhere, in Sri Lanka\u2019s capital, Colombo, freshwater wetlands are being protected as part of the city\u2019s flood management strategy[25]<\/a>.<\/p>\n We know the damage caused by climate change is already happening and countries are experiencing loss. \u00a0The question is how to assess, address and mitigate these losses.\u00a0 This is where the concept of \u2018loss and damage\u2019 comes in.\u00a0 Loss and damage refers to \u201cthe consequences of climate change that go beyond what people can adapt to\u201d[26]<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 The need for a \u2018loss and damage fund\u2019 to compensate the worst affected countries \u2013 often in the global south \u2013 for the impacts of climate change was officially recognized at COP27 in 2022.\u00a0 \u00a0Subsequently, a loss and damage fund[27]<\/a> was established to provide financial support to countries struggling with the damage caused by climate change.\u00a0 At COP28 in 2023, the World Bank was appointed to make the fund operational.\u00a0 By COP29 in 2024, over US$ 720 million had been pledged[28]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Loss and damage can be economic, such as displacement and destruction of livelihoods, as well as non-economic, such as cultural loss.\u00a0 However, the idea of a fund is proving contentious as it poses questions that have yet to be fully answered. \u00a0Who pays into a loss and damage fund and how much? \u00a0If a country contributes does that mean it also accepts responsibility and liability for disasters? \u00a0COP29 sought some clarification on this, with delegates agreeing that funding should be based on cooperation and facilitation rather than liability.\u00a0 The next COP30 in Belem, Brazil in November 2025, will seek further increases in contributions from countries to the loss and damage fund.<\/p>\n Reluctance to support a loss and damage fund can be attributed to some extent on skepticism around its effectiveness. \u00a0One criticism is that current financial structures are not designed to handle the challenges at the scale that is needed[29]<\/a>. \u00a0Taking a targeted approach might be one solution.\u00a0 This could be done by allocating funds based on a country\u2019s vulnerability to climate change and its GDP, suggests policy thinktank the Lowry Institute[30]<\/a>.\u00a0 The benefit here would be in ensuring funds go where they are most needed.<\/p>\n Early warning systems are a recurring theme in much of the debate about preparing for climate change. \u00a0They are another pragmatic example of how we can best respond to natural events we cannot control.\u00a0 The WMO is a key player in supporting early warning systems[31]<\/a>, with a remit focusing on knowledge, detection, communication and preparedness.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Early Warnings for All initiative notes that in 2024, 108 countries had some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems, up from 52 countries in 2015[32]<\/a>.\u00a0 Early warning systems can include:<\/p>\n Haiti, for example, which is vulnerable to a devastating combination of hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, is using World Bank funding to establish protocols so authorities can be better prepared and able to respond to threats more effectively[33]<\/a>. \u00a0Another region that is particularly exposed to flood risk is the Lower Mekong Basin in Asia, which can suffer from dramatic changes in its wet and dry seasons.\u00a0 A flood warning system as part of a WMO project in Cambodia and Lao PDR[34]<\/a> creates daily updates and can provide up to five days advance warning of potential problems, so communities have a vital window to prepare and respond to danger.<\/p>\n The massive volumes of data analysis required in weather warning systems mean artificial intelligence (AI) is inevitably coming to the fore.\u00a0 AI is seen as a way to fill knowledge gaps in regions where weather data is limited. Indeed, the WMO is encouraging AI weather predictions to enhance access for more countries to technology tools that anticipate weather-related disasters[35]<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m proud to say that Community Jameel<\/a>, the global philanthropy of Abdul Latif Jameel, is playing an active role in building early warning systems and strengthening climate resilience in at-risk communities.<\/p>\n Founded in 2021, the Jameel Observatory<\/a> is a global platform working at the interface of climate, natural disasters, agricultural and food systems, and health focusing on low-and-middle income countries.\u00a0 It uses data and evidence to help communities and governments to prepare for \u2013 and act upon \u2013 environmental shocks, as well as the impacts of climate change on livelihoods and wellbeing.\u00a0 The platform guides the work of the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action<\/a>, led by the University of Edinburgh, and the Jameel Observatory Climate Resilience Early Warning System Network (CREWSnet<\/a>), led by MIT.<\/p>\n The Jameel Observatory-CREWSnet is one of MIT\u2019s five\u00a0Climate Grand Challenges flagship projects<\/a>.\u00a0 It seeks to empower communities worldwide to adapt to climate shocks by combining state-of-the-art climate and socioeconomic forecasting techniques with technological solutions.\u00a0 With an initial focus on communities in southwest Bangladesh and Sudan, the aim is to provide enough information on the weather to come for communities to prepare and manage the risk, bringing research out of the laboratory and into the field, where it can help to alleviate poverty through improved productivity.<\/p>\n Similarly, the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action aims to ensure that vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in East Africa are more prepared for and resilient to the effects of evolving environmental shocks and stresses on their food security and nutrition.<\/p>\n Climate change is \u2013 quite rightly \u2013 a clear cause for alarm for communities across the globe.\u00a0 Fortunately, the warning bell is being heard, even if a little reluctantly in some quarters.\u00a0 Despite the scale of the challenges facing our planet, and the sometimes gloomy predictions in the media, I firmly believe there is much to feel positive about. \u00a0With resilience, commitment and adaptability, blended with innovative thinking and sheer determination, we can protect the world by working together to mitigate and adapt to the worst effects of Q: How many people worldwide are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Almost half of the world’s population is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, according to official data.<\/p>\n Q: What was significant about global temperatures in 2024?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: 2024 was confirmed as the hottest year ever on record, with each of the 10 years leading up to 2024 also being the hottest on record.<\/p>\n Q: What could investing US$ 1.8 trillion in climate resilience generate in benefits?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: The Global Commission on Adaptation estimates that investing US$ 1.8 trillion in five critical climate resilience areas between 2020 and 2030 could generate net benefits of US$ 7.1 trillion.<\/p>\n Q: How much has been pledged to the Loss and Damage Fund by COP29?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: By COP29 in 2024, over US$ 720 million had been pledged to the Loss and Damage Fund, which provides financial support to countries struggling with climate change damage.<\/p>\n Q: How many countries had early warning systems capacity by 2024?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: 108 countries had some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems in 2024, up from just 52 countries in 2015.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/what-is-climate-change<\/a><\/p>\n [2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/2021\/08\/09\/ar6-wg1-20210809-pr\/<\/a><\/p>\n [3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/what-is-climate-change<\/a><\/p>\n [4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/report\/ar6\/syr\/downloads\/figures\/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM_Figure1.png<\/a><\/p>\n [5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/climate-adaptation<\/a><\/p>\n [6]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/media\/news\/climate-change-impacts-grip-globe-2024<\/a><\/p>\n [7]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/news\/media-centre\/2024-track-be-hottest-year-record-warming-temporarily-hits-15degc<\/a><\/p>\n [8]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/news\/media-centre\/global-climate-predictions-show-temperatures-expected-remain-or-near-record-levels-coming-5-years<\/a><\/p>\n [9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.worldweatherattribution.org\/when-risks-become-reality-extreme-weather-in-2024\/<\/a><\/p>\n [10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.unep.org\/news-and-stories\/story\/5-ways-countries-can-adapt-climate-crisis<\/a><\/p>\n [11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rescue.org\/uk\/article\/10-countries-risk-climate-disaster<\/a><\/p>\n [12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu\/en\/topics\/in-depth\/climate-change-impacts-risks-and-adaptation<\/a><\/p>\n [13]<\/a> https:\/\/foresight.skanska.com\/resilience\/designing-and-building-climate-resilient-cities\/<\/a><\/p>\n [14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/videos\/auckland-is-the-worlds-spongiest-city\/<\/a><\/p>\n [15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oecd.org\/content\/dam\/oecd\/en\/publications\/reports\/2024\/04\/infrastructure-for-a-climate-resilient-future_c6c0dc64\/a74a45b0-en.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n [16]<\/a> https:\/\/gca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/GlobalCommission_Report_FINAL.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n [17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/toronto\/toronto-urban-forests-housing-challenge-1.7178210<\/a><\/p>\n [18]<\/a> https:\/\/www.connective-cities.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Dresden_and_Brazzaville_embrace_urban_gardening_28.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n [19]<\/a> https:\/\/gca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/GlobalCommission_Report_FINAL.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n [20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.unep.org\/resources\/adaptation-gap-report-2023<\/a><\/p>\n [21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.decadeonrestoration.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n [22]<\/a> https:\/\/www.undrr.org\/news\/global-platform-elevates-risk-communication-essential-disaster-risk-reduction<\/a><\/p>\n [23]<\/a> https:\/\/www.gfdrr.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n [24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/news\/immersive-story\/2025\/06\/16\/gfdrr-engagement-with-tanzania<\/a><\/p>\n [25]<\/a> https:\/\/blogs.worldbank.org\/en\/endpovertyinsouthasia\/wetland-centers-and-fight-against-climate-change<\/a><\/p>\n [26]<\/a> https:\/\/www.wri.org\/insights\/loss-damage-climate-change<\/a><\/p>\n [27]<\/a> https:\/\/unfccc.int\/establishing-a-dedicated-fund-for-loss-and-damage<\/a><\/p>\n [28]<\/a> https:\/\/cop29.az\/en\/media-hub\/news\/fund-for-responding-to-loss-and-damage-ready-to-accept-contributions<\/a><\/p>\n [29]<\/a> https:\/\/ecdpm.org\/work\/broken-promise-loss-and-damage-finance-can-europe-help<\/a><\/p>\n [30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lowyinstitute.org\/publications\/climate-loss-damage-fund-works<\/a><\/p>\n [31]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/activities\/early-warnings-all\/wmo-and-early-warnings-all-initiative<\/a><\/p>\n [32]<\/a> https:\/\/earlywarningsforall.org\/site\/early-warnings-all<\/a><\/p>\n [33]<\/a> https:\/\/blogs.worldbank.org\/en\/dev4peace\/scaling-early-warning-systems-communities-fragile-and-conflict-zones<\/a><\/p>\n [34]<\/a> https:\/\/library.wmo.int\/viewer\/69588\/download?file=CREWS-Stories-Success-Cambodia-Lao-2025_en.pdf&type=pdf&navigator=1<\/a><\/p>\n [35]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/media\/news\/ai-powered-meteorology-supports-early-warnings-all?book=22533<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":126113,"template":"","tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat exactly do we mean by climate change?<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_001-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow does climate change wreak havoc?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_003-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_002-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat is the impact of climate change on different countries?<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_004-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow can we build greater resilience?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_005-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_006.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat is the \u2018loss and damage\u2019 fund?<\/h2>\n
What role can early warning systems play?<\/h2>\n
\n
Can we ever be prepared enough for the impacts of climate change?<\/h2>\n
\nclimate change.<\/p>\nFast facts: Preparing for climate change<\/h2>\n
![https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/report\/ar6\/syr\/downloads\/figures\/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM_Figure1.png<\/a><\/p>\n[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/climate-adaptation<\/a><\/p>\n[6]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/media\/news\/climate-change-impacts-grip-globe-2024<\/a><\/p>\n[7]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/news\/media-centre\/2024-track-be-hottest-year-record-warming-temporarily-hits-15degc<\/a><\/p>\n[8]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/news\/media-centre\/global-climate-predictions-show-temperatures-expected-remain-or-near-record-levels-coming-5-years<\/a><\/p>\n[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.worldweatherattribution.org\/when-risks-become-reality-extreme-weather-in-2024\/<\/a><\/p>\n[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.unep.org\/news-and-stories\/story\/5-ways-countries-can-adapt-climate-crisis<\/a><\/p>\n[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rescue.org\/uk\/article\/10-countries-risk-climate-disaster<\/a><\/p>\n[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu\/en\/topics\/in-depth\/climate-change-impacts-risks-and-adaptation<\/a><\/p>\n[13]<\/a> https:\/\/foresight.skanska.com\/resilience\/designing-and-building-climate-resilient-cities\/<\/a><\/p>\n[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/videos\/auckland-is-the-worlds-spongiest-city\/<\/a><\/p>\n[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oecd.org\/content\/dam\/oecd\/en\/publications\/reports\/2024\/04\/infrastructure-for-a-climate-resilient-future_c6c0dc64\/a74a45b0-en.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n[16]<\/a> https:\/\/gca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/GlobalCommission_Report_FINAL.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/toronto\/toronto-urban-forests-housing-challenge-1.7178210<\/a><\/p>\n[18]<\/a> https:\/\/www.connective-cities.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Dresden_and_Brazzaville_embrace_urban_gardening_28.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n[19]<\/a> https:\/\/gca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/GlobalCommission_Report_FINAL.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.unep.org\/resources\/adaptation-gap-report-2023<\/a><\/p>\n[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.decadeonrestoration.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n[22]<\/a> https:\/\/www.undrr.org\/news\/global-platform-elevates-risk-communication-essential-disaster-risk-reduction<\/a><\/p>\n[23]<\/a> https:\/\/www.gfdrr.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/news\/immersive-story\/2025\/06\/16\/gfdrr-engagement-with-tanzania<\/a><\/p>\n[25]<\/a> https:\/\/blogs.worldbank.org\/en\/endpovertyinsouthasia\/wetland-centers-and-fight-against-climate-change<\/a><\/p>\n[26]<\/a> https:\/\/www.wri.org\/insights\/loss-damage-climate-change<\/a><\/p>\n[27]<\/a> https:\/\/unfccc.int\/establishing-a-dedicated-fund-for-loss-and-damage<\/a><\/p>\n[28]<\/a> https:\/\/cop29.az\/en\/media-hub\/news\/fund-for-responding-to-loss-and-damage-ready-to-accept-contributions<\/a><\/p>\n[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ecdpm.org\/work\/broken-promise-loss-and-damage-finance-can-europe-help<\/a><\/p>\n[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lowyinstitute.org\/publications\/climate-loss-damage-fund-works<\/a><\/p>\n[31]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/activities\/early-warnings-all\/wmo-and-early-warnings-all-initiative<\/a><\/p>\n[32]<\/a> https:\/\/earlywarningsforall.org\/site\/early-warnings-all<\/a><\/p>\n[33]<\/a> https:\/\/blogs.worldbank.org\/en\/dev4peace\/scaling-early-warning-systems-communities-fragile-and-conflict-zones<\/a><\/p>\n[34]<\/a> https:\/\/library.wmo.int\/viewer\/69588\/download?file=CREWS-Stories-Success-Cambodia-Lao-2025_en.pdf&type=pdf&navigator=1<\/a><\/p>\n[35]<\/a> https:\/\/wmo.int\/media\/news\/ai-powered-meteorology-supports-early-warnings-all?book=22533<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":126113,"template":"","tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAre we doing enough to prepare for climate change? | Abdul Latif Jameel\u00ae<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues. While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are we doing enough to prepare for climate change? | Abdul Latif Jameel\u00ae\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues. While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Abdul Latif Jameel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Abdul.Latif.Jameel.Official\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ALJ-ClimatePrepFinal-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1215\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/\",\"name\":\"Are we doing enough to prepare for climate change? | Abdul Latif Jameel\u00ae\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-15T11:18:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-15T11:18:13+00:00\",\"description\":\"We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues. While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Spotlight By Fady Jameel\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/ja\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"The heat is on: are we doing enough to prepare for climate change?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Abdul Latif Jameel\",\"description\":\"Abdul Latif Jameel\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Are we doing enough to prepare for climate change? | Abdul Latif Jameel\u00ae","description":"We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues. While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Are we doing enough to prepare for climate change? | Abdul Latif Jameel\u00ae","og_description":"We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues. While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.","og_url":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/","og_site_name":"Abdul Latif Jameel","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Abdul.Latif.Jameel.Official","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1215,"url":"https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ALJ-ClimatePrepFinal-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"15 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/","url":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/","name":"Are we doing enough to prepare for climate change? | Abdul Latif Jameel\u00ae","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-04-15T11:18:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-15T11:18:13+00:00","description":"We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues. While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/the-heat-is-on-are-we-doing-enough-to-prepare-for-climate-change\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Spotlight By Fady Jameel","item":"https:\/\/alj.com\/ja\/spotlight-by-fady-jameel\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The heat is on: are we doing enough to prepare for climate change?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/","name":"Abdul Latif Jameel","description":"Abdul Latif Jameel","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"post-meta-fields":{"push_notification":["no"],"_push_notification":["field_5c3b1fb67034d"],"_wpml_word_count":["{\"total\":3048,\"to_translate\":{\"ar\":3048,\"zh-hans\":3048,\"fr\":3048,\"ja\":3048,\"es\":3048,\"tr\":3048}}"],"_edit_lock":["1776341505:18"],"_edit_last":["18"],"amazonS3_cache":["a:12:{s:91:\"\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_001-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126057;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:85:\"\/\/alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_001-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126057;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:91:\"\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_003-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126071;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:85:\"\/\/alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_003-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126071;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:91:\"\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_002-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126064;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:85:\"\/\/alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_002-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126064;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:91:\"\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_004-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126078;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:85:\"\/\/alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_004-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126078;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:91:\"\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_005-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126085;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:85:\"\/\/alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_005-scaled.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126085;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:84:\"\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_006.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126092;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:78:\"\/\/alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2189-ALJ-Preparing-for-Climate-Change-v2_006.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";i:126092;s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}}"],"_thumbnail_id":["126113"],"perspective_short_title":["The heat is on: are we doing enough to prepare for climate change?"],"perspective_summury":["<p>We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues.\u00a0 While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it.<\/p>\n"],"perspective_location":["Dubai, UAE"],"perspective_author_name":["<p><span style=\"color: #000000\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/en\/our-people\/fady-jameel\/\">Fady Jameel<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span>Vice Chairman, International, Abdul Latif Jameel<\/p>\n"],"perspective_author_bio":["<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/en\/our-people\/fady-jameel\/\">Fady Jameel<\/a> is Vice Chairman, International, <a href=\"https:\/\/alj.com\/\">Abdul Latif Jameel<\/a>, a family-owned diversified business, founded in 1945 by the late Abdul Latif Jameel.\u00a0 He is also a noted philanthropist including being the Founder and Chairman of <a href=\"https:\/\/artjameel.org\">Art Jamee<\/a>l, and Vice Chairman of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.communityjameel.org\">Community Jameel<\/a>, a global philanthropy formally established in 2003 to continue the Jameel family's tradition of supporting the community.<\/p>\n"],"wpcf-featured-news":["0"],"is_latest_news":["0"],"wpcf-show-news-at-homepage":["1"],"_":["field_6746fdff672ad"],"publish_mobile":["a:1:{i:0;s:3:\"yes\";}"],"_publish_mobile":["field_5bfa8eb2e65cf"],"mobile_featured_image":["https:\/\/media.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ALJ-ClimatePrepFinal-scaled.jpg"],"_mobile_featured_image":["field_5c3b204983dea"],"content_series_applied":[""],"_content_series_applied":["field_60f3d3faf82ac"],"featured_on_listing_page":["0"],"_featured_on_listing_page":["field_62458ea7383c3"],"is_podcast":["0"],"_is_podcast":["field_5ee1dff933e7f"],"wpcf-perspective-downloadable_file":[""],"wpcf-perspective-published-date":["1776211200"],"wpcf-projecttitle":[""],"wpcf-projectdescription":[""],"wpcf-projectimage-video1":["image"],"wpcf-projectimage-1":[""],"wpcf-projectvideo-1":[""],"wpcf-projectdescription-1":[""],"wpcf-projectimage-video2":["image"],"wpcf-projectimage-2":[""],"wpcf-projectvideo-2":[""],"wpcf-projectdescription-2":[""],"wpcf-projectimage-video3":["image"],"wpcf-projectimage-3":[""],"wpcf-projectvideo-3":[""],"wpcf-projectdescription-3":[""],"wpcf-projectimage-video4":["image"],"wpcf-projectimage-4":[""],"wpcf-projectvideo-4":[""],"wpcf-projectdescription-4":[""],"wpcf-video-description":[""],"wpcf-layoutvideourl":[""],"wpcf-video-thumb":[""],"wpcf-social4-svg":[""],"wpcf-social4-background-image":[""],"wpcf-social4-text":[""],"wpcf-social4-url":[""],"wpcf-social3-svg":[""],"wpcf-social3-background-image":[""],"wpcf-social3-text":[""],"wpcf-social3-url":[""],"wpcf-social-text-svg-square":[""],"wpcf-social-text-image-square":[""],"wpcf-social-text-text-square":[""],"wpcf-social-text-url-square":[""],"wpcf-social2-svg":[""],"wpcf-social2-background-image":[""],"wpcf-social2-text":[""],"wpcf-social2-url":[""],"wpcf-social-svg-square":[""],"wpcf-social-image-square":[""],"wpcf-social-text-square":[""],"wpcf-social-url-square":[""],"wpcf-social1-svg":[""],"wpcf-social1-background-image":[""],"wpcf-social1-text":[""],"wpcf-social1-url":[""],"wpcf-quotes-with-auther-text-1":[""],"wpcf-card_article_with_title_content":[""],"wpcf-card_article_content":["write your content"],"wpcf-quotes-with-auther-text":[""],"_bsf_post_type":["0"],"_bsf_item_review_type":["none"],"_wpml_media_duplicate":["1"],"_wpml_media_featured":["1"],"_yoast_wpseo_title":["Are we doing enough to prepare for climate change? | Abdul Latif Jameel\u00ae"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["We need to prepare for climate change to safeguard humanity \u2013 and the natural world \u2013 not only in the short-term, but also by finding solutions for dealing with longer-term climate-related issues. While there may be a lack of consensus on its scale, it is heartening to see that action is underway to tackle it."],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp":[""],"perspective_business_sector":["Energy and Environmental Services"],"perspective_author_image":["96328"],"wpcf-card-image":[""],"_wpcf-card-image-sort-order":["a:1:{i:0;i:2080252;}"]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spotlight-fadyjameel\/126056"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spotlight-fadyjameel"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/spotlight-fadyjameel"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/report\/ar6\/syr\/downloads\/figures\/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM_Figure1.png\"){kind=link}