EXISTENTIAL CLIMATE RISK

Reviews claim that the 193 countries plus the European Union attending the latest United Nations conference on climate change failed to curtail the risk of an existential catastrophe.

COP30 in Brazil closed with disagreements, especially regarding the use of fossil fuels.

While relatively insignificant on the global stage, Portugal is among the most advanced in promoting renewable sources of energy and eliminating all fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

Positive aspects of the latest conference were the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund aimed at helping developing countries with the impact of climate change. A calmer attitude was also adopted towards the many thousands of Indigenous-led protesters in the streets of the Brazilian capital, Belém, demanding urgent climate change action with the phase-out of fossil fuels.

However, there was a very significant number of fossil fuel lobbyists at the conference, and notable absences particularly from the United States whose president is famously in denial about climate change.

More than 30 years of talks since the supposedly pivotal Paris climate summit, greenhouse gas emissions are still expanding — and thus global temperatures are still rising. The 1.5 °C level has been dangerously passed.

While there was much resistance to progress, there was also “a clamour for change inside the COP30 climate negotiations,” according to the Reuters News Agency.

Forbes has been emphasising how people aged 30 and under are investigating and developing possible climate solutions.

Another COP critic says, “we need to turn away from jamborees around negotiations into really focused efforts to accelerate implementation,” one European negotiator said. “This is probably the last of the old COP and the beginning of the new.

GETTING RID OF PLASTICS

Now that the severe Storm Claudia has passed leaving much flooding, property and tree damage, and even deaths and injuries, Portugal must calmly look forward to another national problem in the months ahead.

 

The government will introduce a plastic bottle return (PBR) scheme on April 10th next year. The system will apply to single-use plastic bottles and aluminium or steel cans containing up to three litres.

 

It means that people will pay a deposit every time they buy such a beverage container and then receive their deposit back on returning it.

Supermarkets and food retail shops throughout mainland Portugal, as well as on the autonomous islands of Madeira and the Azores, will be involved.

 

The PDR scheme has been long delayed in being properly implemented in Portugal. However, at long last it will now follow the example set in 50 other countries, some of which, such as Germany, already have over 90% returns. The scheme is expected to grow rapidly next year in Portugal and include all types of plastic packaging.

 

For now, Portugal is cutting plastic use by banning such single-use items as plastic cutlery, plates, and polyester cups. It has also imposed a tax on non-reusable packaging. Businesses are being prompted through increasing legislation to make all types of plastics re-usable, recyclable or compostable.  Local communities and various organisations are busy implementing clean-ups and educational awareness programmes. 

 

 

SEVERE ATMOSPHERIC STORM

The severe solar and geomagnetic storms currently affecting much of Europe and North America are due to disturbances in the sun’s magnetic field.

Such storms can cause short or long-term power cuts and electronic communication disruptions. Longer blackouts occur when copper connectivity fails and damages equipment in the telecom networks.

 

On the positive side, solar storms produce beautiful auroras (northern lights) provided of course the night sky is relatively clear. Such lights have been seen in parts of  Portugal in the last few days.

Shortly after 10 pm on Tuesday November 11th an intense solar flare was observed. It was followed less than an hour later by a massive coronal ejection with a speed estimated to be around 1500 kilometres per second, arriving on earth the following evening or early next morning, according to several university analysists.

The geometric storm may continue to affect power grids, satellites and navigation systems, but the experts say it does not pose a direct biological risk to people.

The European Space Agency is closely monitoring this unusual space weather event and will keep us updated.  

AN INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIST ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES RESPONDS

 

 

Marla Barret

 

The issue of hate speech and hate crime is not just an issue of legal framework, but also one of societal values. As you rightly point out in your recent article Len,, the rise of hate speech, especially targeting marginalized groups like immigrants, racial minorities, and women, has been a growing concern across Europe, not only in Portugal.

The measures being introduced by the Judicial Police in Portugal are an encouraging step forward, but the reality remains that many hate crimes go unreported, which suggests there are deeper societal issues at play. The gap between prosecutions and unreported crimes speaks to the difficulty in addressing these deeply ingrained prejudices. This highlights the need for a more proactive approach, not just in law enforcement, but also in education and community outreach.

It's also crucial to recognize the connection between economic and social tensions and the rise of xenophobia. As you mention, the frustration that many local residents feel over housing and job competition can sometimes manifest as scapegoating of immigrant populations. While these issues are valid and deserve attention, it's important to avoid conflating economic insecurity with justifiable hatred. Tackling the root causes, like the housing crisis and inflation, can go a long way toward reducing the fertile ground in which hate speech can thrive.

Finally, the rise of political movements like Chega reminds us of the challenges that come with increasing nationalism and anti-immigrant rhetoric. In these times, it’s more important than ever to ensure that policies and public discourse promote inclusion and solidarity rather than division and exclusion. The EU-funded anti-hate crime project, alongside the collaboration with civil society, is a promising initiative that could set a strong example for how countries can collectively address this pressing issue.

It’s heartening to see that the Portuguese government is starting to take these matters more seriously, but as you rightly suggest, we must continue to push for comprehensive legislation that tackles both the immediate effects of hate speech and crime, and the deeper social divisions that fuel them.

EFFORTS TO PREVENT HATE CRIME

 

The national Judicial Police (PJ) have announced stronger measures to tackle the increasing problem of hate speech and hate crime in Portugal.

Much of the hate is racist, religious or   misogynistic  directed at immigrants in this country.

Hate speech is verbal or written expressions that attack or insult individuals or groups, while hate crimes are of a similar but more offensive  nature. They are both of growing concern not only to the legal authorities, but to the wider public.

Public concerns include the gap between the number of prosecutions and the high number of unreported hate crimes. Although speech offences are punishable with up to five years imprisonment, official data remains unclear. The number of speech and crime offences are believed to have increased significantly over the past five years.

The latest initiatives will involve the close coordination of different law enforcement sectors and improve victim support.

The PJ is closely aligned with an EU-funded anti-hate crime project, as well as civil society, academic and various other organisations working to greatly quash hatred.

Portugal does not yet have a unified hate crime law but it includes it in existing legislation against violence.

The ruling centre-right democratic alliance in the Portuguese Parliament has introduced stricter control over immigration.

The strongest advocate for greater anti-immigrant action is the right-wing Chega (Enough) party that is enjoying significantly rising public support. Chega is particularly opposed to Portugal’s increasing thousands of resident Romanies (gypsies). The backlash seems to extend to many other immigrant ethnic groups, including those from Brazil, former Portuguese colonies in Africa, Ukraine, EU countries such as Poland and France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Chega’s irritation is that all sorts of immigrants are renting or buying homes while  local  Portuguese residents face the unresolved  housing crisis. Many foreigners are able to depend on greater  financial resources while locals battle on with latest  inflation rates of between 2.4% to 2.8%. Even low-income foreign workers are disliked because they take jobs from local Portuguese workers.

One of the most significant movements of people has included the return of many Portuguese residents from the United States who feel unwanted or worse by supporters of Donald Trump’s administration. 

                              CHARITY HELP AVAILABLE

 

ALZHEIMER

PORTUGAL

Alzheimer Portugal is a nationwide organisation created more than 30 years ago specifically to promote the quality of life for people with dementia, as well as their families and carers.

It is there for you should you need their professional advice.

Alzheimer Portugal actively participates with its European and worldwide partners to gather and disseminate the latest information about dementia.

Website:

https://alzheimerportugal.org

Email:

info@alzheimerportugal.org

Phone

Lisbon: +351 21 361 04 60

Portimão: 96276 690

Lagoa: 965 276 69

                                         MADRUGADA

This unique Algarve organisation provides a home-based, end-of-life palliative nursing care service for people wishing to spend their final days professionally cared for in their own home.

Established in 2009, they are now renowned for the excellence of palliative care, which is provided free of charge.

Based in Praia da Luz in the western Algarve, their specialist clinical teams work extensively to help people, and those important to them, manage the challenges of life-limiting illnesses through counselling, therapeutic and creative activities, complementary therapies, advice, and education.

Phone

+351 282 61 375

Email: admin@madrugada-portugal.com

 

The more donations they receive, the more their specialist volunteers are able to care for the community

ANTI-TRUMP “NO KINGS” PROTESTS

Americans visiting or living in Portugal took part in “No Kings” protests on Saturday, 18 October, in line with protests across the United States opposing President Donald Trump and his policies.

 

The protests in America took place in more than 2,500 locations across the country, with millions of people taking part to denounce Trump’s agenda. All of the protests were peaceful.

 

The main protest rally in Portugal took place in Lisbon on Saturday afternoon. What is being challenged is Trump’s “authoritarianism” — his belief that his rule is absolute and thus superior to normal democracy.

 

Trump supporters have accused the protesters of being allied with a far-left movement. Among other things, top Democrats argue that it is simply wrong to send armed soldiers, as Republicans have been doing, to control peaceful protesters, this is what “kings and dictators do.”

 

The previous and strongest protests were in June this year. They are expected to intensify in the months ahead.

 

FAR-RIGHT FALLS WELL SHORT

Portugal’s far-right Chega party dominated the headlines in an unexpected way following last Sunday’s local elections.

Instead of overwhelming opponents as predicted, it had far less success with local voters than in the national election nine months ago.

The ruling centre-right Social Democratic Alliance (AD) won in 136 municipalities on Sunday, including in the two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto. That was up from 114 in the local elections four years ago. The centre-left Social Democrats (PS) came second with 128. Chega had hoped for 30 but managed only three, Albufeira in the Algarve being one of them. Chega failed even to reach the number of independent candidates, who won 20 municipalities, or the Communist party’s 12.  

Chega’s leader Andre Ventura was remarkably optimistic as his recently formed party has just won its very first mayoral seats, thus adding it locally to the national stage.   

Despite its shortcomings in Sunday’s elections, Chega almost tripled its share of the votes from the previous local elections in 2012. This led Ventura, to declare the latest results a "great victory" for his party, which has expanded somewhat to become a party with a municipal base. It won the second largest number of seats in the last general election and thus became the official opposition party in parliament after overturning decades of bipartisan politics.

Ventura could become Portugal’s next prime minister if Chega win the next snap election, which will be the third in three years.