A silent crisis

We are already feeling the effects of climate change

but worse will follow
Human activities, in particular greenhouse gas emissions,
are recognised as the main cause of climate change.
We are beginning to see the effects of this change
all around the globe on food, health, poverty, water,
human displacement, and security.

The Global Humanitarian Forum estimates that every

year climate change leaves over 300,000 people
dead, 325 million people seriously affected, and
economic losses of US$125 billion. 4 billion people
are vulnerable, and 500 million people are at extreme
risk because of it.

THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS ACCELERATING

Thousands of deaths
500

+59%

470

Millions affected
+103%
30

315

15

660

350

325

300

90

310

235

Now
(annual
average)

Now
(annual
average)

2030

2030

Weather-related disasters

Weather-related disasters

Gradual environmental
degradation

Gradual environmental
degradation

To understand these numbers, we can compare them with other global disasters
Thousands of deaths,
annual average
2004-08

519

Millions affected,
annual average
2004-08
315

325
247

225

Climate
change

48

Indian
Ocean
tsunami

Environmental issues

Breast
cancer

Climate
change

24
Traffic accidents Cases of
requiring
malaria
medical
attention

Fact File 2010 www.carelpress.com

 and a dire warning

Already Australia has seen a full decade of drought. Large
tracts of the United States are exposed to stronger storms
and severe water shortages leading to crop loss, job loss,
fires, and deaths.

Effects of climate change

Developing countries
98%

However, the first hit and worst affected are the worlds
poorest groups. 99% of all casualties occur in developing
countries. In contrast only 1% of global emissions come
from the 50 least developed nations. Those who suffer most
from climate change have done the least to cause it.

2%

Developed countries
1%

99%

Even the most ambitious climate agreement will take

years to slow or reverse global warming. Emissions are
still steadily increasing, and the world population is set to
grow by 40% by 2050.
There is an approximate 20 year delay between emission
reductions and the halting of their warming effect so if we
do not reverse current trends by close to 2020, we may have
failed. Global warming will pass the danger level.

74%

26%

Affected
219
million

Deaths
36
thousand

Economic
losses
US $64
billion

HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?

CAUSE AND EFFECT

Climate change
effects

INCREASED EMISSIONS

Rising surface
temperatures
Rising sea levels
More acidic
oceans
Changes in local
rainfall and river
run-off patterns
Accelerated
species
extinction rates
Loss of
biodiversity
and ecosystem
services

PHYSICAL CHANGES

Gradual
environmental
degradation

Reduction in crop yield and hunger

Melting glaciers
Shore retreat
Build up of salt in soil
Spread of deserts
Water pressure

Malnutrition, diarrhoea, malaria,

cardiovascular problems

Extreme events
Floods
Droughts
Storms
Cyclones
Heatwaves

Risk of large scale

tipping point
events such as
Melting ice sheets
Dieback of forests
Shutdown of
streams

Source: The Anatomy of a Silent Crisis, Global Humanitarian Forum, 2009

Fact File 2010 www.carelpress.com

HUMAN IMPACT

Food security

Health

Poverty
Income loss in agriculture,
fisheries and tourism

Water
Scarcity of fresh water
(quantity and quality)

Displacement
Voluntary and involuntary
movement of people

Security
Risk of instability
and armed conflict

http://www.ghf-ge.org

Environmental issues

49