2009 world disaster figures released

Preliminary figures on natural disasters in 2009 have been released by the UN in Copenhagen. They show an alarming link to changing weather, with over 90-percent blamed on extreme conditions.

The figures are shocking. Of the total 245 disasters in 2009, 224 are weather-related. That accounts for over 90 percent. They caused nearly 15-billion-US-dollars in damages this year, accounting for around 80-percent of the total cost.

Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Representative, said, "This year, as always, storms and floods were the main killers and the most expensive disasters in dollar terms. "

Among the 8,900 people killed by disasters, almost 80-percent lost their lives to extreme weather. Experts said on Monday, nature's fury is unavoidable but human beings can mitigate the effects.

Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of World Meteorological Org., said, "We cannot prevent natural hazards. You cannot stop a hurricane, you cannot stop heavy rain, you cannot stop drought, but we can make sure we provide the right information to prevent these extreme events from turning into disasters."

Warming weather will lead to widespread droughts, floods, higher sea levels and worsening storms.

A mere 2-degree Celsius temperature rise could subject up to 2-billion people to water shortages by 2050. And threaten extinction for 20 to 30-percent of the world's species.

The UN climate conference in Copenhagen is aimed at addressing the problem. As the meeting enters its critical stage, it's highly anticipated leaders will reach a suitable agreement.