Climate change 'could impact millions'

The impact of climate change could significantly increase the likelihood of environmental disasters in the future, a new study has shown.

Around 300 experts from 30 different countries have warned that increased flooding is expected in the next 50 years and this could lead to a sharp increase in the number of "climate refugees".

The Foresight report has predicted that 192 million extra people could be living in urban coastal floodplains in Africa and Asia by 2060.

It also suggested that the poorest people residing in areas that have the potential to be decimated by mass flooding might be unable to escape such natural disasters.

Chief scientific adviser for the UK government Sir John Beddington commented: "Environmental changes threaten to have a profound impact on communities around the world - particularly in low-income countries."

Earlier this month, a team of environmental experts revealed plans to assess a lake in the Antarctic in order to garner more understanding about what impact climate change is having globally.

Posted by Claire Manning