On day eight of COP29 in Baku, key concerns over climate finance and the urgent need for more action on global warming have surfaced.
As the conference progresses, participants have made initial progress on carbon market standards, but talks on climate finance remain slow. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), urged delegates to focus on broader issues, saying, “We can’t lose sight of the forest because we’re tussling over individual trees.” He warned against “bluffing, brinkmanship, and pre-mediated playbooks” that could waste critical time needed for ambitious decisions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also stressed the need for stronger leadership from the world’s largest economies, declaring, “Failure is not an option” in the face of the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, children and young people made their voices heard at COP29, calling for more attention to the impact of climate change on their lives. They urged decision-makers to involve them directly in climate discussions. UNICEF estimates that nearly 1 billion children are affected by climate change, facing risks like air pollution, floods, and droughts, which disrupt their health, education, and well-being. As one young activist put it, “No decisions about us without us!”
As COP29 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan, the climate conference has seen growing tensions over protests, stalled gender talks, and the global push for climate finance.
On Day 6, climate activists attempted to make their voices heard but were restricted by strict security rules. The protesters were told they couldn’t march through the streets and were limited to a rally inside the conference venue. Eduardo Giesen from the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice expressed frustration, saying, “It was like talking between ourselves.”
Discussions on integrating gender equality into climate policy have also stalled. The renewal of the Lima Work Programme, which aims to promote gender equality in climate action, has hit a deadlock due to disagreements over human rights and finance. Countries such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are blocking key elements of the proposal, raising concerns that the talks could collapse or be delayed until next year.
The energy transition is another area of tension at COP29, with conflicting proposals on how to phase out fossil fuels. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for a dialogue on the energy transition, while countries like China and Saudi Arabia are pushing for a stronger focus on climate finance instead. Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad emphasised the importance of finance, stating, “Finance is critical for a successful fossil fuel transition,” and called for a robust climate finance goal to support this shift.
There are also concerns about the lack of women in leadership roles at COP29. Only 8% of world leaders attending the conference are women, a significant drop from last year, raising questions about gender equality in both leadership and policy.
On Day 7, the focus shifted to climate finance, with UN climate chief Simon Stiell urging delegates to “find common ground” and finalise a new climate finance agreement. He stressed the urgency of reaching a deal to help developing countries fight climate change.
The European Union has called for wealthier countries like China and the Gulf states to contribute more to global climate finance. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said, “With affluence comes responsibility,” but added that contributions could be voluntary, offering flexibility to countries resistant to formal commitments. He also acknowledged that private sector investment will be key: “There will never, ever be enough public money—from any source.”
COP29 has also seen criticism directed at certain countries. South Korea was awarded the “Fossil of the Day” for blocking a deal to end $41 billion in annual subsidies for oil and gas, with Climate Action Network (CAN) accusing the country of an “unconstructive negotiating position.” Finland also faced backlash for allegedly misreporting its climate finance contributions by counting market-based loans instead of actual funds, earning it a “dishonourable mention.”
Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in Belize over the weekend, bringing heavy rainfall that has elevated flooding risks nationwide. Although the storm weakened shortly after coming ashore on Sunday morning, the primary concern now lies in the persistent downpours and rising river levels.
“Right now, we’re still expecting the floods to increase, not decrease,” said Frederick Hunter, Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Point at the Belize Red Cross.
Since Thursday, some areas have received over 15 inches of rain, with others seeing between 4 to 8 inches. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued flood warnings for the Central and Northern parts of Belize, including areas around the Rio Hondo, Macal, Mopan, and Belize rivers, where the risk of “significant and life-threatening flooding” was high.
Hunter spoke on the importance of preparedness during a storm watch. He advised residents in flood-prone areas to always have “grab and go” bags with essentials like clothes, documents, and food.
While the Belize Red Cross doesn’t handle rescues during a crisis, Hunter explained that the organisation steps in for the relief efforts afterward. “We take care of those that have been displaced, that have had to evacuate, or that have been affected by the floods after the fact, not during the crisis itself,” Hunter said. The Red Cross also provides training for search and rescue teams in partnership with the Belize Institute for Search and Rescue Training (BISA) and the Coast Guard.
Today, the popular morning talk show Open Your Eyes is celebrating an incredible 16 years of bringing education, entertainment, and inspiration to viewers across Belize since its first debut in 2008.
Channel 5 CEO Marleni Cuellar, who was the original host, recalled the vision behind the show: “In 2008, when the show was launched, I came on board full time at Channel 5 primarily as a host… It was a vision to create a morning show that allowed us to have deeper conversations and look at different aspects of culture and life in Belize,” Cuellar said.
After 14 years, Cuellar passed the hosting baton to news anchor Sabreena Daly. Daly, who joined just over a year ago, shared how the experience has transformed her. “It’s been such a learning curve… I get to have these extensive conversations that would normally be controlled by the news cycle,” she explained.
Currently, Open Your Eyes is hosted by Sabreena Daly, April Martinez, Paul Lopez, and Isani Cayetano, who continue the legacy of providing engaging, insightful content every weekday morning from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Behind the scenes, producer Viannie Reyes plays a crucial role in the show’s success, ensuring everything runs like clockwork. “It takes preparation, dedication, and commitment to make a production successful,” said Reyes.
This year, Open Your Eyes received a Special Mention at the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards, a recognition of its high standards and consistent quality. Cuellar attributed the show’s recognition to the show’s commitment to excellence: “We ensure that we get guests who are well versed… that our hosts are as prepared as they can be… and I think that’s a standard we’ve carried through all these years.”
As the show looks to the future, the current team promises even bigger and better content for its viewers.
As of 12:00 PM on Sunday, November 17, 2024, Tropical Storm Sara has weakened into a tropical depression. The storm, now located about 55 miles west of Belize City, is moving west-northwest at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The tropical storm warning for Belize has been discontinued, and an All-Clear has been declared.
Despite the storm weakening, heavy rainfall continues to pose a flood risk. According to the National Emergency Management Organisation’s (NEMO) latest advisory, Belize has already recorded up to 18 inches of rain in some areas, with another 1-2 inches expected by evening. Flood warnings remain in effect, particularly for low-lying areas, and significant flooding is possible, especially in Cayo and Belize Districts.
Local roads are affected by flooding, with some routes only passable by large vehicles. Several bridges, including the Salvador Fernandez Bridge in Bullet Tree, are closed due to rising water. The Transport Department will provide an update on bus services later today.
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) advises continued caution, particularly in flood-prone areas. Shelters remain open, and residents are urged to monitor conditions and follow emergency plans. The Philip Goldson International Airport is expected to resume operations on Monday, November 18.
In a briefing this morning, Chief Hydrologist Tenielle Hendy confirmed that all three major dams in Belize—Chalillo, Mollejon, and Vaca—are spilling over due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Sara. Residents in low-lying areas have been urged to evacuate as a precaution.
Fortis Belize Limited (FBL) reported in an official statement that despite the spillage, the dams have continued to generate electricity and are being carefully monitored. The company reassured the public that the dams remain structurally sound.
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has issued a severe flood warning for areas along the Macal River and its tributaries. While flooding has occurred, it has not reached record levels, and NEMO clarified that the Chalillo Dam is not at the same level of risk as it was in 2020. Flood waters at Chalillo have been slowly declining over the last 12 hours.
FBL has deployed staff to monitor the dams 24/7 as the storm passes, in close coordination with NEMO and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). The public is urged to rely on official information from NEMO, which provides regular updates every three hours.
The Belize Free Zone in Corozal is closed today due to bad weather. The official announcement on their Facebook page said, “Important Notice: Due to the current weather situation, the Belize Free Zone will be closed today. Thank you for your attention.”
This closure is due to the weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Sara.
The message in Spanish reads: “Aviso importante: Debido a las condiciones climáticas, la Zona Libre de Belice permanecerá cerrada hoy. Gracias por su atención.”
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology has announced the suspension of all classes across the country on Monday, November 18, 2024, due to the impact of Tropical Storm Sara. The suspension is in place to ensure the safety of students and staff.
With a public and bank holiday on Tuesday, November 19, the Ministry plans to assess the situation after the storm.
Tropical Storm Sara continues moving closer to Belize, with the latest update at 3:00 PM showing the storm just 110 miles southeast of Belize City. NEMO reinforces its tropical storm warning for the entire Belize coastline, including the cayes. Businesses in the Stann Creek District are ordered to close by 6 PM today, and all sectors—agriculture, tourism, and fisheries—are urged to implement their emergency plans. “Businesses in the Stann Creek District are to close at 6 p.m. today and remain closed until the ALL CLEAR is issued,” the advisory notes.
“The main threat to Belize from Sara continues to be heavy rainfall,” NEMO warned, with some areas already seeing up to 15 inches of rain. An additional 2 to 6 inches is expected through Sunday evening, which could cause severe flooding, especially in the Rio Hondo, Macal, Mopan, and Belize Rivers. A small craft warning continues to be in effect due to rough seas.
TS Sara’s winds are currently at 45 mph, and although no major strengthening is expected, winds could reach 50 mph as the storm nears. NEMO has activated Phase 3—Red Two—of the National Hurricane Plan, meaning landfall is expected within 36 hours.
“Persons living in areas under Flood Warning MUST remain vigilant and be prepared to implement emergency plans if necessary,” NEMO advised. Shelters will open if needed, and the public will be updated through district coordinators.
The Philip Goldson International Airport ceased operations at 3:15 PM today, and bus services are running based on road conditions.
The Belize Department of Civil Aviation has provided a second update on the status of flight operations as Tropical Storm Sara passes through the region. The Philip Goldson International Airport will remain open for limited operations today, Saturday, November 16, with light arrivals allowed until 2:15 p.m. and flight departures until 3:15 p.m.
The airport is expected to fully reopen for normal operations at 6 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024. However, flights to the southern part of Belize are still suspended until an all-clear signal is issued. Additionally, flights to other destinations will be suspended starting at 3:30 p.m. today until further notice.
The Department of Civil Aviation urges travellers, both domestic and international, to remain patient as delays and cancellations may occur due to the storm’s impact. The Department is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the National Meteorological Service (NMS) and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), and will continue to provide updates as needed.
