Monday 9 November 2015

World Bank: Climate change could push 100m into poverty by 2030

Climate change could force more than 100 million additional people into poverty by 2030.

That’s according to a new report from the World Bank, which said climate change is already preventing people from escaping poverty.

It found the poorest people are more exposed to climate-related shocks such as floods, droughts and heat waves and higher temperatures as well as live in countries where food production is expected to fall as a result of climate change.

The World Bank suggests without “rapid, inclusive and climate-smart development” together with emission reduction efforts that protect the poor, millions more people will be pushed into poverty, particularly in Africa and South Asia.

It adds investment from the international community will be essential in areas including urban transport and resilient energy infrastructure.

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said: “This report sends a clear message that ending poverty will not be possible unless we take strong action to reduce the threat of climate change on poor people and dramatically reduce harmful emissions.

“Climate change hits the poorest the hardest and our challenge now is to protect tens of millions of people from falling into extreme poverty because of a changing climate.”