Poor people are the real losers; weather-related catastrophes: greater frequency and severity

Nine of last year’s ten severest natural catastrophes in terms of victim numbers were weather-related, and all affected developing or emerging countries. Gradual trends like heatwave and drought often pose an even greater threat than individual catastrophes.
If we examine the distribution of the humanitarian consequences of global weather-related catastrophes,we note that many countries in the early stages of development are already well in the forefront. One thing is clear: in our globalized world, only sustainable strategies forged between partners in accordance with the precautionary principle will ensure more winners overall. It is now above all up to the industrialised nations to assume their responsibilities.