Submitted by Bill Becker on 16/May/2006

Message:
As many as 182 million people in Africa may die by the end of the century as a result of climate change, according to a report by the Christian Aid charity released today.

"Many millions more through the world face death and devastation due to climate-induced floods, famine, drought and conflict," the study said.

The report calls on developed countries to cut carbon emissions by two-thirds by 2050 and to provide poorer communities with the means to produce clean, renewable energies for themselves (Agence France-Presse, May 15).

The author of the report, John McGhie, said that for $50 billion the whole of sub-Saharan Africa could turn into a solar-generated economy.

"And $50 billion is exactly the same amount as actually the continent would have to pay on extra fuel bills from oil," he said.

The charity's report said climate change could not only affect the frequency of floods and droughts, but also the growth in areas infested by malaria-carrying mosquitoes, one of the chief causes of death in Africa (BBC News online, May 15).

Click here to view the report. -- EB