UN Warns Of Natural Disasters Linked To Global Warming
Pastor Dale Morgan
UN Warns Of Natural Disasters Linked To Global Warming*
The eye of the storm.
by Staff Writers
Geneva (AFP) Feb 07, 2007
Global warming is likely to result in more typhoons and hurricanes and
more severe and frequent droughts, a United Nations agency said on
Wednesday, underlining the need for preparatory action by governments.
The UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
secretariat said that typhoons and hurricanes were likely to increase as
ocean temperatures rose, while decreased precipitation would lead to
harsher droughts, which would hit Africa in particular.
The ISDR called on governments to speed up the implementation of the
2005 Hyogo Framework for Action to reduce the risk of disasters caused
by climate-related hazards.
The Hyogo Framework is a ten-year plan adopted by 168 governments in
Kobe, Hyogo, Japan in 2005 for action against floods, droughts and
storms caused by extreme weather.
"Action is needed to reduce people's vulnerability to climate-related
hazards and the Hyogo Framework provides a blueprint for taking such
action now," said ISDR director Salvano Briceno.
He pointed to successful policies in Vietnam, Bangladesh and the
Caribbean for surviving floods and tropical storms, such as building
houses, schools and hospitals away from areas prone to landslides, and
using flood-resistant construction materials.
In Bangladesh, communities have switched to raising ducks rather than
chickens, as the former can float in the event of a flood while the
latter drown, he noted.
"We face a serious challenge but if we utilise what we know already we
have a greater chance to reduce disasters and avoid the worst-case
scenario," Briceno said.
Source: Agence France-Presse