EVIDENT FACTS AND FIGURES OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE RISING CONCERNS FOR PLANET EARTH                       

The current global warming trends and climate change patterns are of particular significance as they are a direct result of human activity since the mid-20^th century and are proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia. At such a rate of environmental degradation, we could risk the future of generations to come!

Facts and figures gathered from World Ocean Network              

• The total temperature increase from 1850 – 1899 to 2001 – 2005 is 0.76°C.
• Eleven of the last twelve years (1995 -2006) rank among the 12 warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature since 1850.
• The total 20th century rise observed in sea level is estimated to be 0.17 m.
• Average Arctic temperatures increased at almost twice the global average rate in the past 100 years.
• Approximately 20-30% of plant and animal species assessed so far are likely to be at increased risk of extinction if increases in global average temperature exceed 1.5-2.5^o
• More intense and longer droughts have been observed over wider areas since the 1970s, particularly in the tropics and subtropics.
• Widespread changes in extreme temperatures have been observed over the last 50 years. Cold days, cold nights and frost have become less frequent, while hot days, hot nights, and heat waves have become more frequent.
• Millions of people per year are currently at risk of flooding from storm surges.
• A 1 meter of sea water rise may eliminate entire small island nations and many deltaic areas will be lost.
• A one meter sea-level rise might displace tens of millions in Bangladesh.
• By 2100, in South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa, up to 145 – 220 million additional people could fall below the $2-a-day poverty line, and every year an additional 165,000 – 250,000 children could die compared with a world without climate change.

Environment Protection is our duty; a simple and effortless payback to all the infinite wonders and blessings that this Blue Planet has bestowed upon us and reserved within its depths, a plethora of resources that make life and living possible!                        

The change starts with YOU.