Gloomy ecological predictions for the U.S.

As the tropical storms and hurricanes continue to increase some experts warn that the Americas and the Caribbean Islands should be expecting natural disasters of much greater magnitude – destruction of the environment and sudden climate change.

Photo: Gloomy ecological predictions for the U.S.

In particular, such is the opinion of the ecologists from the so-called Environmental Coalition. These scientists offer the increasingly unpredictable weather changes in the unstable region as a serious ground for their forecasts.

According to them the informative report “Development in Smoke” published by the ecologists presents undisputable proof. It shows the level of risk to which millions of local residents are exposed.

Among the potential threats experts count the storms’ growing force and frequency (the hurricane season of 2005 was the most destructive in history so far), water shortage (significant changes in the melting of Andes caps are causing anxiety even now), unlawful deforestation and larger amounts of carbon dioxide dumping (further air pollution).

New Economic Fund (NEF) employee Andrew Simms notes in his article that the efforts to fight poverty in Latin America could lead to global climate changes, which in turn would lead to even greater impoverishment of the population – they would bring destruction, illnesses and deaths to the future generations.

This area is known for its constantly changing climate and human experiments over the natural events could cause disastrous complications.

The hurricane season of 2005 gave birth to 27 tropical storms of unprecedented power, 15 of which developed into hurricanes. The deadliest one happened to be the infamous hurricane Katrina, which crushed upon the Southern U.S. taking over a thousand lives.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) promises the area a minimum of 11-16 hurricanes in 2006. Others feel that it is better not to make any predictions.

It is not entirely clear whether there exists a direct connection between the climate alterations caused by human activity and the growth in the tropical storms’ intensity. The specialists propose all kinds of theories without offering anything concrete.

“Currently we do not have an international program devoted to the cutting of carbon dioxide emissions. But this would be the only way to prevent the downward spiral,” says Simms.

Representatives of the Coalition, which is composed of over 20 organizations including such giants as Tearfund, Greenpeace and WWF, claim that as of today two main issues should concern the whole humanity: 1. Putting an end to the global warming and fighting its consequences. 2. Ecological approach in nations’ development.

The hope remains that the politicians will hear the warnings of ecological organizations and will help prevent the catastrophes that take thousands of lives.

Translated by Natalia Vysotskaya
Pravda.ru