Weather host: We can mitigate climate disasters

It takes 100 years for the atmosphere to absorb pollution, but only a few days or weeks to help climate-exposed populations. We must both stop the emission of greenhouse gases and at the same time provide emergency aid and development, says Mikael Jarnvig, weather host at DR, the Danish National Television.

- We must stop the emission of greenhouse gases, even if it takes 100 years before the atmosphere has absorbed the pollution. But if we want to do something here and now, we must support organizations that help those most exposed to the consequences of climate change. That is why I support Mission East.

That's what the well-known weather host at Danish National Television Mikael Jarnvig says, who together with Mission East's Secretary General Betina Gollander-Jensen offers a current climate talk to churches, associations and other networks across the country. Mikael Jarnvig maps climate developments, and Betina Gollander-Jensen shows how Mission East helps vulnerable populations mitigate climate disasters.

The climate is becoming more extreme

As a meteorologist, Mikael Jarnvig has analyzed the weather for more than 50 years. He states that today there is so much data documenting man-made climate change that there is no doubt.

- There will be more heat waves, more droughts, more wildfires, but also more heavy downpours, more floods and more mudslides. All because the globe is getting hotter and hotter, the weather is becoming more unstable, and there is more energy in the atmosphere because there is more moisture in the air, he says.

More people will die from heat stroke

If we do not reduce and at best completely stop emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the temperature will continue to rise, states the weatherman.

- We will have even more cases of drought, more heat waves, even more forest fires. And in the areas of the globe where it is hottest now, we will have many more people die from heat stroke. Correspondingly, we also get more violent downpours, which cause floods, destroy the soil and drive people from their homes.

- These kinds of accidents and weather disasters have increased fivefold in just 50 years, he states dryly.

Development aid works immediately

But there is also a glimmer of hope ahead, says Jarnvig:

- The best thing we can do now is to help the poor countries to adapt to the new climate. Otherwise, we risk that the climate disasters will become more and bigger, and that it will cost many human lives.

- Even if we stopped burning oil, coal and gas tomorrow, it would take decades, probably even 100 years, before the climate disasters would stop. In the meantime, emergency aid and development aid can help a vulnerable local population within the same year that it is initiated. A well in a village will be able to provide water in just a few days or weeks.

"I have seen the effect of Mission East's work"

That is why Mikael Jarnvig is a volunteer ambassador for Mission East, which helps local populations in, among other places, Tajikistan, Nepal and Afghanistan to prevent floods and adapt cultivation to the new climate conditions.

- I want to make a positive difference in the world with my life, and I find it provocative, that there is such a big difference between rich and poor on the planet today. I want to do something about that, and that is why I have chosen to support Mission East, says Mikael Jarnvig and continues:

- I have seen that the work that Mission East does has a real effect. I have traveled with Mission East several times, and I can see that the work is good and it works, and that just a very small part of the money covers administration costs.

Book a talk by Mikael Jarnvig and Betina Gollander-Jensen at kkr@missioneast.org.