A thoroughly-researched report by the World Health Organisation concluded that 160,000 people already die each year from climate change. We now also know that climate change is causing the extinction of species at the greatest rate ever in the history of our planet.
"Scientists are now clear in their assessment of the problem: global warming is happening, and it's almost certainly caused by human action. In February 2007 scientists across the world compiled a report for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which spelled it out plainly. If we do nothing, average temperatures could increase as much as 6.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. Even a rise of 4 degrees would have catastrophic consequences. Hundreds of species would become extinct, there would be food and water shortages in many countries, and rising sea levels would leave hundreds of millions of people without homes. And the scientists said it is 'very likely' - in scientist-speak, that means 90 per cent sure - that this is all caused by human action. As Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, said: 'February 2007 may be remembered as the day the question mark was removed from whether people are to blame for climate change.'
Around the world, villages such as Shishmaref in Alaska are becoming uninhabitable because of climate change where shortly the 600 residents may be relocated (with a financial cost of about $100 000 per resident). Small towns and villages such as this one generally find it easier to adapt than cities, though, since cities rely on complex infrastructures to deliver food, water and power regularly. Cities across the world from Madrid to Sydney are starting to feel real strains of drought which, if continued for long enough, might threaten their continuance.