The United Nations released its annual Human Development Report [PDF, large] on Tuesday, and in amongst the rankings, it also delivers a pretty stark warning about the effects of climate change. Calling it "the defi ning human development issue of our generation" and "a massive threat to human development", it goes on to say:
Climate change is already starting to aff ect some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities around the world. A worldwide average 3° centigrade increase (compared to preindustrial temperatures) over the coming decades would result in a range of localized increases that could reach twice as high in some locations. The effect that increased droughts, extreme weather events, tropical storms and sea level rises will have on large parts of Africa, on many small island states and coastal zones will be inflicted in our lifetimes. In terms of aggregate world GDP, these short term effects may not be large. But for some of the world’s poorest people, the consequences could be apocalyptic.And otherwise, we are going to condemn half of humanity to a future of diminished opportunity and life expectancy, and increased danger of drought, famine, or extreme weather events. And that is not something we can morally do.[...]
This development progress is increasingly going to be hindered by climate change. So we must see the fight against poverty and the fight against the effects of climate change as interrelated efforts. They must reinforce each other and success must be achieved on both fronts jointly.
(Oh, and for those who care, NZ ranked 19, one place up on last year, and 9 places ahead of its GDP ranking. Progressive social policy makes all the difference in the world. Meanwhile, Norway was toppled from its six-year reign in the top spot by Iceland).