Archived press release

Warning: more storms

28 October 2002

Violent storms, similar to the one that battered the UK this weekend, are likely to become more common as a result of global climate change, Friends of the Earth said today. The warning coincides with the latest round of UN discussions on climate change in Dehli, India [1], where thousands of people marched earlier today to highlight the plight of those affected by climate change [2].

Climatologists have predicted that global warming will lead to more violent and more frequent storms. Rapid cuts in emissions are urgently needed if millions of people are not to lose their lives or livelihoods, as “natural” disasters become more frequent and more severe. People in rich countries face more expensive insurance, and the possibility that property in high-risk areas may become uninsurable. People in poor countries could face starvation.

Roger Higman, Climate Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“Severe storms like the one that hit the UK this weekend are likely to become more frequent because of global climate change. Urgent action is needed to tackle the problem by reducing our use of carbon based fuels such as oil, gas and coal. Countries such as the US, the world’s biggest polluter, and companies such as Esso must stop pretending that there isn’t a problem and join the rest of the world in trying to tackle it.”

Notes

[1] The UN meeting on climate change (conference of parties 8 - COP8) is meeting in New Dehli. A Ministerial meeting is due to begin there on Wednesday.

[2] Five thousand people are estimated to have joined today’s Rally for Climate Justice in New Delhi. The rally was organised by the India Climate Justice Forum, including the National Alliance of People's Movements, the National Fishworkers Forum Third World Network, and CorpWatch. Friends of the Earth International is part of the international Steering Committee which seeks to build a global movement to prevent dangerous climate change.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust