[SustainableTompkins] FW: Weather-related disasters quadrupled in 20 years

[Anthony Ingraham]

My friend Piper in Holland sent this along.

Tony Ingraham

Hi Tony,
 
Guess what, we aren't just imagining it all. A world-wide 
humanitarian aid organization nearly as well known as the Red Cross 
is publicizing facts and figures:
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7111623.stm
 
According to a report released by development organization Oxfam, 
there are presently four times as many weather-related disasters as 
twenty years ago. The report explicitly names global warming as an 
important contributing factor.
 
In the 1980s, disasters caused by the weather averaged 120 per year; 
now there are 500 of these yearly. Especially notable is the rise in 
the number of floods, with a six-fold increase in the last two 
decades. Last year, weather-related disasters affected 254 million 
people, an increase of 46% compared to 1985. In 2005, 14,000 people 
lost their lives in weather-related disasters.
 
According to a NOS (Dutch) news article about the report, Oxfam is of 
the opinion that the governments of wealthy countries should respond 
more quickly when providing emergency aid, and should also divide 
wealth more fairly.
 
Take care,
 
Piper