The Skriker Actor Packet
The Skriker Actor Packet
The Skriker Actor Packet
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
It says the cost of so-called "natural" catastrophes, triggered by<br />
climate change, could be £6,500bn.<br />
And it urges developed countries to make big cuts in their emissions of<br />
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.<br />
Malcolm Rodgers of Christian Aid said: "Nine of the past 11<br />
catastrophes to which we have responded have been caused by<br />
extreme weather conditions.<br />
"Country after country is being devastated by these so-called natural<br />
disasters, and we and others are simply picking up the pieces.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> terrible irony is that the poorest countries are suffering,<br />
and we believe this is because of pollution by the wealthiest."<br />
Christian Aid has won the endorsement of several prominent<br />
supporters for its report.<br />
Julian Salt, of the Loss Prevention Council, which advises the UK<br />
insurance industry, said: "<strong>The</strong> oceans have warmed, and they are<br />
going to get warmer.<br />
"<strong>The</strong> world is already locked into a spiral of catastrophe. We have to<br />
get used to the idea that the costs of prevention will be less than the<br />
costs of coping with disasters."<br />
Altered nature<br />
Another of the report's backers is the MP John Gummer, who was<br />
environment secretary in the last Conservative government.<br />
Mr Gummer told BBC News Online: "That figure of £6.5 trillion for the<br />
possible costs is breath-taking. But it's absolutely true.<br />
"We talk of natural disasters, or acts of God, but they're the acts of<br />
human beings. We've changed nature.<br />
"I want to see the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement on<br />
tackling climate change, built up so that we cut greenhouse emissions<br />
very substantially.