By Fiona Harvey
Children will bear the brunt of the impact of climate change (click here) because of their increased risk of health problems, malnutrition and migration, according to a new study published on Monday. And food prices are likely to soar as a result of warming, undoing the progress made in combating world hunger.
The findings are published as scientists began meeting in Stockholm to produce the most comprehensive assessment yet of our knowledge of climate change. Over the next five days, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, bringing together the world's leading experts, will thrash out the final details of a message to the world's governments.
They are expected to warn that climate change is almost certainly caused by human actions, and that it will lead to a global temperature rise likely to top 2C, with related effects including the shrinking of the Arctic ice cap and glaciers, a rise in sea level by nearly 1 metre by the end of this century and more extreme rainfall in parts of the globe.
Unicef argues that, although children are more vulnerable to the effects of global warming, they have been largely left out of the debate. "We are hurtling towards a future where the gains being made for the world's children are threatened and their health, wellbeing, livelihoods and survival are compromised … despite being the least responsible for the causes," said David Bull, Unicef's UK executive director. "We need to listen to them."...
The worst is not here yet, but, the climate crisis is definitely upon us.
It is incredible injustice to realize the people calling out for awareness and action against the climate crisis are now getting hit with the expectations of their cries.
About 700 people left stranded overnight (click here) after Kinugawa river burst its banks, and a second town further north braces for major flooding on Friday morning
By Justin McCurry
...Heavy rain caused by Typhoon Etau earlier this week caused flooding and landslides throughout Japan, forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people and causing widespread disruption to rail services. Three people have been confirmed dead, but the death toll could rise once water levels drop and rescue workers are able to properly gauge damage in the worst-affected areas.
Fears that rising water levels could threaten the city of Sendai prompted authorities there to advise - though not order - more than 400,000 residents to leave.
Etau has moved out into the Sea of Japan but continued to generate record levels of rainfall in several parts of the country....
