Climate change and its consequences

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Climate change is causing glaciers* to melt in every region of the world, putting millions of people at risk from floods, droughts* and lack of drinking water. In 2002 the extent* of the Arctic ice was 14% below the average of the last 24 years. Hotter summers The 2003 summer heat wave in Europe killed 14,800 people in France, according to official figures released in September 2003, and 4,200 in Italy. In the future... Floods An increase in the frequency* or intensity* of floods would be catastrophic* in several places around the world. Past floods have displaced* millions in Bangladesh, and increased flooding there would have tragic results. Other nations, including China and Vietnam, have experienced floods killing thousands and costing billions in property* damage within the past few years. Disease Global warming may also increase the risk of some infectious* diseases, particularly those diseases that appear only in warm areas. Diseases that are spread by mosquitoes* and other insects could become more prevalent* if warmer temperatures enabled those insects to become established farther north. Food supply Climate change may result in detrimental* effects on food supply and security, especially in developing countries. Furthermore, these harmful outcomes of climate change in developing countries will probably increase the gap in health, wealth and access to food between rich and poor countries. (SD-Agencies) Rising sea levels Climate change is causing glaciers* to melt in every region of the world, putting millions of people at risk from floods, droughts* and lack of drinking water. In 2002 the extent* of the Arctic ice was 14% below the average of the last 24 years. Hotter summers The 2003 summer heat wave in Europe killed 14,800 people in France, according to official figures released in September 2003, and 4,200 in Italy. In the future... Floods An increase in the frequency* or intensity* of floods would be catastrophic* in several places around the world. Past floods have displaced* millions in Bangladesh, and increased flooding there would have tragic results. Other nations, including China and Vietnam, have experienced floods killing thousands and costing billions in property* damage within the past few years. Disease Global warming may also increase the risk of some infectious* diseases, particularly those diseases that appear only in warm areas. Diseases that are spread by mosquitoes* and other insects could become more prevalent* if warmer temperatures enabled those insects to become established farther north. Food supply Climate change may result in detrimental* effects on food supply and security, especially in developing countries. Furthermore, these harmful outcomes of climate change in developing countries will probably increase the gap in health, wealth and access to food between rich and poor count