UN Report Warns of Threat to Human Progress From Climate Change

The United Nations' annual human development report mixes good news with bad. Despite global financial crisis, the vast majority of nations have made progress in poverty elimination, jobs, education continues, and only three – the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe – show declines in human development since 1990. Fast-growing emerging economies in Asia demonstrated the most progress. However, a global trend of delaying preparations for climate change will inevitably decrease the ability of future generations to invest health, education or other endeavors, a UN report cautions. Huge imbalances, unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, will counter efforts to reduce poverty, reports the Guardian. Rising seas, severe storms, fluctuating temperatures will threaten food supplies and displace entire communities, stressing governments and adding to the ranks of the poor. – YaleGlobal