UN expert warns of more frequent extreme weather events, urges international action

A United Nations expert warned that rising global temperatures are fueling an unprecedented surge in extreme weather events like prolonged heatwaves and intense storms, adding that impacts of climate change have extended beyond the environment and could trigger future conflicts.

Simone Sandholz, Head of Urban Futures and Sustainability Transformation Program said "The future climate extremes may also trigger more of these conflicts, for instance, heat or other flood extreme events or whatever other events may impact on the water availability of the future, that may deplete, it may also impact on land resources and food resources, so having less of that may trigger more conflicts." 

She said no country can escape the impacts of climate change, expressing hope that the international community can shelve differences and act swiftly.