2024 Disasters in Numbers
<p>In 2024, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded 393 natural hazard-related disasters. These events caused 16,753 fatalities and affected 167.2 million people. Economic losses totaled US$241.95
Global
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No laughing matter
Nitrous oxide is steadily accumulating in the upper atmosphere, eating into the ozone layer and contributing to global warming
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Labour at rest
Labour union membership has declined substantially over the past decade around the world. Even in European countries which traditionally had strong unions, the membership is decreasing. However, the
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Will the deserts retreat?
The first conference of parties for the Convention to Combat Desertification held in Rome took some important decisions to save the parts of the Earth that face increasing desertification. But the larger conflict of interests dominated the proceedings
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It comes and it goes
Despite regulations against international trade and production of chloroflourocarbons, smugglers are doing roaring business. It is the Earth’s ozone layer that suffers. But who is to blame?
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Widening the gap
The amendments to the Montreal Protocol made at the 9th Meeting of Parties may help curb smuggling of ozone depleting substances and ensure compliance. But they place a heavy responsibility on developing countries who have to move towards the use of subst
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Measure for measure
Some countries have failed to live up to commitments. But measures to ensure compliance to the protocol do not address the issue of North South inequality
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The road ahead
While the protocol has succeeded in lowering consumption of CFCs, developing countries still bear the cost burden of using and developing substitutes
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Ten years of the Protocol
The good news... CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform have been phased out in developing countries to a large extent. Growth rates of CFCs and methyl chloroform in the
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PROMOTING INEQUALITY
The Montreal Protocol, hailed as a
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Meagre gains
As of 1997, the world consumes five million tonnes of grain daily. To feed the world's human population of almost 5.8 billion - growing by 80 million people a year - production of foodgrains,