Global warming will reduce crop yield by 30 percent

Calcutta News.Net
Wednesday 12th March, 2008 (IANS)

Global warming will lead to 30 percent reduction in crop harvest and increase child mortality due to diarrhoea, parliament was informed Wednesday.

The fourth report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has projected food, fibre and forest products, coastal systems, and low-lying areas will be affected due to climate change, Minister of State for Environment and Forest N.N. Meena said.

'It is projected that crop yields could decrease up to 30 percent in central and south Asia by the mid-21st century,' Meena said.

'Endemic morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoeal disease, primarily associated with floods and droughts, are projected to rise in east, south and Southeast Asia,' he added.

He reiterated that glacier melting in the Himalayas is projected to increase in the future due to climate change. Fresh water availability in central, south, east and Southeast Asia, particularly in large river basins, could decrease.

Quoting the report, the minister said heavily populated mega delta regions are projected to be at greater risk.

Meena said the 'government has been spending over two percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) on various schemes related to adaptations to the India's natural climate variability.'

'With climate change happening, the amount may have to be increased,' he stressed.

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