UK Consulate shows documentary on dangers of climate change

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The United Kingdom's consulate general on Wednesday evening showed a documentary film to raise awareness on the dangers of climate change to humanity during the UN climate summit in Glasglow.

The UK consulate general showed the documentary Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet, directed by Jon Clay and presented by David Attenborough and Johan Rockström on the risks of climate change.

"This is a movie about raising awareness, raising awareness about climate change and the real risks it poses to humanity," the UK Consul General to Erbil, David Hunt, told Kurdistan 24.

He also added it conveys "a message of hope that we can affect change to ensure that we reduce our carbon emissions to make the world a safer place for ourselves, our children, and future generations."

In his speech during the event at the Rotana Hotel, he emphasized that we now see the risks of climate change in the Kurdistan Region. 

"The vulnerability of this region to climate change is well-known," he said. 

"As the climate changes, there will be challenges to agriculture, health, nature, and our very people's livelihoods, and we see that impact first hand," he added. "We all know summers are becoming hotter and drier, and droughts and water shortages are happening more and more."

However, he said these challenges are not unique to the Kurdistan Region. They are occurring worldwide and include heatwaves in the United States and Russia, wildfires in Australia and Greece, and floods in Germany and India.

"Climate change is a global issue and requires global solutions," he added.

Hunt also told Kurdistan 24 that he is keen to work with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on combating climate change, but confirmed that discussions on the matter have "just really started".

The United Kingdom was also pleased that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is joining the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference climate summit (COP26), which will last for two weeks in the Scottish city of Glasgow (from Oct. 31 until Nov. 12).

Read More: Kurdistan Region to join COP26 'to play its part in this global effort'

Hunt also stressed that recycling is part of daily life in the United Kingdom and is very important for reducing waste. 

"We should do our best to recycle as much as possible," he said. "We need to cut down on the consumption of single-use plastic."

"I think there is a good level of awareness about what needs to be done," he added. "I think you all witnessed the terrible extreme weather events around Erbil recently. These flash floods are effects of climate change and a sign that we need to reduce carbon emission." 

Read More: Heavy rainfall in Kurdistan's Erbil leads to flash floods

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani recently said, at the 2021 MERI Forum on Oct. 27, that protecting the environment is high on the government's agenda.

"We are working on it, but we want to do it correctly," he said. "We have sent our teams to go and visit different parts of the world to see what systems are the best that will be most suitable for the environment."

The prime minister said that these teams have come up with some great ideas. A program is being prepared to invite international companies to help the Kurdistan Region with waste management and recycling.

However, the prime minister said that a clean environment is also the responsibility of citizens and individuals. 

"We cannot only rely on some companies to come and collect our waste," he said. "We should know how to keep our air, land and water clean and I'm asking all of the citizens of Kurdistan to respect the environment."

Editing by Paul Iddon.