Munich Re warns of soaring climate change costs

Report from top reinsurer reveals cost of climate-related disasters spiked in 2010 as natural disasters killed 295,000 

The number of weather-related natural disasters soared last year, providing "further evidence of advancing climate change", according to amajor report from one of the world's leading reinsurance firms.

Munich Re said that 950 natural disasters were recorded last year, nine tenths of which were weather-related events such as storms, floods or heat waves. The total represents the second highest number of natural disasters recorded since 1980 and is 21 per cent higher than the average number of annual incidents recorded over the past decade. More >>>

Climate Change and ‘Balanced’ Coverage

In an article this week on the relentless rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, I outlined one of the canonical projections of climate science: if the amount of carbon dioxide doubles, the average surface temperature of the earth is likely to increase by 5 or 6 degrees Fahrenheit, a whopping change. I contrasted that with a prediction from skeptics of climate change who contend that the increase is likely to be less than 2 degrees.

One major voice on climate science, Richard B. Alley of the Pennsylvania State University, told me he gets annoyed by the way this contrast is often presented in news accounts. The higher estimate is often put forward as a worst case, he pointed out, while the skeptic number is presented as the best case.

In fact, as Dr. Alley reminds anyone who will listen, and as he recently told aCongressional committee, the estimate of 5 or 6 degrees is actually mildly optimistic. Computer programs used to forecast future climate show it as the most likely outcome from a doubling of carbon dioxide, but those programs also show substantial probabilities that the warming will be much greater. More >>>

Ireland’s Climate Change Bill Agreed

Mr John Gormley TD Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today (16 December 16) outlined the details of the proposed Climate Change Bill. 

The bill provides a framework for legislation on the transition to a low-carbon future.  There will be a short-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average 2.5% per year, compared to 2008 emissions.

A further medium-term target will be introduced to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and a long-term target of 80% by 2050.  Climate policy objectives and obligations will be integrated into sectoral policy areas, and sectoral mitigation and adaptation plans will be required for relevant sectors.

Mr Gormley said: "The Bill is relatively short but I believe that it represents a milestone step forward for climate policy in Ireland.  "Its balance of clarity and progressiveness will make it easily accessible and highly effective.

"I appreciate that there will be some who have concerns about the Bill but I believe they have nothing to fear from such legislation.  "I look forward to the early publication of the bill and positive engagement from the opposition in order to provide a potent piece of legislation that will serve us into the future." More >>>

NASA: The World is Getting Warmer

The world is getting warmer. Whether the cause is human activity or natural variability, thermometer readings all around the world have risen steadily since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

According to an ongoing temperature analysis conducted by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the average global temperature on Earth has increased by about 0.8°Celsius (1.4°Fahrenheit) since 1880. Two-thirds of the warming has occurred since 1975, at a rate of roughly 0.15-0.20°C per decade. More >>>

More support needed for small island developing states (SIDS) - PM Golding

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has called for special differential treatment for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the development process, in access  to loans, and the terms, conditions and costs of these loans.

"Some countries need debt write off and it has been proven what can be done when debt forgiveness is handled properly', Mr. Golding told yesterday's (Dec 7) opening of the 5th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management, at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay.

Mr. Golding said the catastrophic effect of disasters on the SIDS must never be under estimated. He cited Grenada as an example of an economy which had been showing significant growth built up over a 10 year period which was all destroyed in just 2 hours by Hurricane Ivan. He appealed to the developed world to carve out some special arrangement for the SIDS because they are subject to natural disasters, some of which are created by what the industrialized world has done to the ecology. More >>>

Many Strong Voices Holds First Advisory Committee Meeting

30 October 2010: Many Strong Voices (MSV), a collaboration between Arctic and small island developing States (SIDS) that seeks to promote the wellbeing of these areas vulnerable to climate change, held its first Advisory Committee meeting in the Seychelles from 28-30 October. The purpose of the Seychelles meeting was to review the MSV five-year plan (2008-2012) and communications strategy, and to identity opportunities and next steps for the MSV initiative.

The MSV Advisory Committee is made up of representatives from Arctic indigenous organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and SIDS representatives. Meeting participants included representatives from the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Organization of American States (OAS), Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Cayman Institute and Government of the Cook Islands, as well as the University of Seychelles and the Sea Level Rise Foundation.

Key outcomes of the meeting included: a revised MSV five-year Strategic Plan with a focus on activities in the next two years; agreement on the coordination of an MSV side event on "Voices from the North and South: Food Security and Human Rights in Small Island Developing States and the Arctic" at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Cancun, Mexico; agreement on the initiation of new projects on food security, ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change, and human rights; and the development of a new project on black carbon.

The meeting coincided with an exhibition, titled "Portraits of Resilience," photo and stories on climate change by youth from communities in the Seychelles, Fiji, Tuvalu, Alaska, Greenland, Canada, and Norway. [IISD RS Sources] More >>>

Arctic and small island nations join forces against climate change | Indian Country Today | Latin Indigenous

Arctic and small island nations join forces against climate change | 

Imagine you live on an island, a tropical paradise. 
Turquoise waters rise and fall at the shore’s edge. The ocean’s rhythmic sounds lull you into a sense of security. All feels right in your island home.

Suddenly, reality strikes.

You’re a lifelong resident of an island in theSeychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean, and you’ve got 10 days of drinking water left.