100 million will die and cuts in GDPs by 2030 due to Climate Change

It is important to know where we are headed with the climate change issue.  I am personally convinced that it is a disaster unfolding.  Now, there are many who keep debating the climate change vs climate cycles theories but such are useless discussions.  There is enough evidence available now to suggest that higher population and irresponsible consumption and industrialization is causing and will continue to cause immense harm to the planet.

Here are some interesting observations from this article on report commissioned by 20 countries on Climate Change.

  • More than 100 million people will die and global economic growth will be cut by 3.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 if the world fails to tackle climate change
  • More than 90% of those deaths will occur in developing countries, said the report that calculated the human and economic impact of climate change on 184 countries in 2010 and 2030 (from a report commissioned by the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a partnership of 20 developing countries threatened by climate change)
  • British economist Nicholas Stern told Reuters earlier this year investment equivalent to 2% of global GDP was needed to limit, prevent and adapt to climate change. His report on the economics of climate change in 2006 said an average global temperature rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius in the next 50 years could reduce global consumption per head by up to 20%.
  • On average, the Developing countries could see an 11% loss in GDP by 2030 due to climate change
  • The United States and China could see a 2.1 percent reduction in their respective GDPs by 2030, while India could experience a more than 5% loss.
  • The Cervera’s reservoir, near Palencia, in Castilla y Leon’s region. Spanish farmers are already on drought alert after the country’s driest winter in 70 years. According to UN, population growth and unsustainable consumption are driving Earth towards “unprecedented” environmental destruction.

There are many things that are required to be done.  From moving to alternative sources of energy in a mass acceptance and promotion to changing the consumption patterns and the premises of running and growing businesses.  Currently, the CEOs who live and work for their own bonuses – to heck with the company’s long term profitability – would hardly care about the impact of their actions on the longevity of the planet itself.  And this is a big dilemma!

A radical rethink is required on part of everyone – from consumers to producers.  But how will it happen?  Will it be too little, too late?

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