UN Scientists Warn of Climate Armageddon
Baku, January 29 (AZERTAC). Scientists predicted an environmental catastrophe of biblical proportions, with the world ravaged by droughts, flooding and disease.
The chilling vision, presented in the report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), reveals that large portions of the world's population are threatened with imminent disaster.
This vision of disaster for humanity is matched by the impact of climate change on the natural world.
After studies of more than 420 habitats, the report warned of deserts spreading across Africa and the disappearance of Alpine glaciers, together with a decline in Arctic sea-ice and the increased frequency of extreme rainfall.
As a result, the IPCC concluded: "Some species currently classified as 'critically endangered' (would) become extinct." Species such as polar bears and African mountain gorillas are threatened. Marine habitats are equally at risk and there are fears the world's coral reefs could disappear within 50 years.
Scientists have for years warned about the impact of global warming. What is significant about this report, however, is the degree of precision about the extent and impact of climate change.
Research was conducted by some 700 scientists and based on the findings from 3,000 studies. Given the political sensitivities of the climate debate, the 19 -page summary was subject scrutinised by government representatives during exhaustive discussions prior to release.
In those circumstances, not surprisingly, the scientists' language was hedged by probabilities and possibilities. However, the dire messages underlying its publication shone through.
"Most of the earth's people will be on the losing side," said James McCarthy, the Harvard University environmental scientist who co-chaired the panel.
Professor McCarthy's bleak conclusion helps to highlight the fact that people in developing countries are most at risk from the consequences of climate change.
While the report suggested there might be economic gains and losses in wealthier countries, the disastrous impact of extremes of weather in other regions would serve toincrease "the disparity in well-being between developed countries and developing countries".
Put simply, many poorer nations will be unable to take measures to combat the repercussions of climate change. Rapidly-rising population is likely to lead to huge pressure on water supplies and, with insufficient infrastructure to meet the threat of infection, developing nations will also be at great threat from malaria, cholera and other diseases.
Although more able to take precautionary action, the developed world is also threatened. Impacts range from the decline of Alpine snow and disappearance of glaciers (with obvious consequences for tourism) to the higher incidence of cyclones and the spread of disease.
Last year, New York's Central Park was shut when West Nile virus, a mosquito -borne disease, was responsible for the deaths of seven people. Those deaths are likely to be the thin end of the wedge.
The report makes clear that in the years ahead, the US, Canada and Australia will see an expansion in a range of other deadly diseases, including malaria, tick-borne Lyme disease, Ross River virus and Murray Valley encephalitis.
Other densely-populated coastal areas, ranging from Egypt to Poland and Vietnam, will be at risk from flooding as a result of rising sea levels.
In Britain, low-lying coastal regions are vulnerable. The World Wildlife Fund drew attention to the risks presented to ten per cent of the UK's designated reserves, those in wetland and coastal areas.
Change in temperature is already most extreme in the polar regions and this could have disastrous consequences.
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