SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 9, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — ShelterBox, a front-line humanitarian aid organization, predicts millions of homes will be lost due to climate change impacts by 2040. A projected 167 million homes will be destroyed around the world over the next 20 years by extreme weather intensified by the climate crisis. That is 30 million more homes than currently in the U.S., according to U.S. census data.
Over the past decade, there has been an 83% increase in climate-related disasters. These disasters have demolished homes, destroyed food supplies, and displaced millions of people. “With displacement directly experienced from extreme weather events already increasing, the situation is further exacerbated by the cascading effects of climate change on regional instability and open conflict. The data cited here should be taken extremely seriously, now rather than later,” said Andrew Collins, Professor of Disaster and Development at Northumbria University.
The data shows that human habitat loss is one of the major impacts of climate change and highlights that an average of nearly 42 million people per year will face the loss of their homes due to climate change related extreme weather events in the next 20 years (humanitarian standards assume an average of 5 people per home). By the year 2040, this figure could approach 55 million people in one year alone. This research is being released as world leaders are gathering this weekend in Cornwall, United Kingdom for the annual G7 Summit.
“We are seeing one of the greatest humanitarian crises unfold across the world. ShelterBox teams are witnessing the catastrophic human toll of the climate crisis in the countries where we work, as a record number of people are displaced by extreme weather events. With our ShelterBox operational headquarters in Cornwall, England we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to bring these displaced families to the forefront. We must call on the G7 leaders to not only continue to support a global reduction in emissions, but go further to improve the lives of people already dealing with the consequences of climate change and COVID-19,” said ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray. “We are seeking a commitment to improve humanitarian access and increase funding for emergency shelter to the communities all over the world facing devastating consequences of disasters caused by these environmental impacts,” said Murray. “Longer term investment in the development of disaster resilient housing and sustainable livelihoods is critical, as the extreme weather threatens to overwhelm crisis affected countries.”
To prepare to respond to future extreme weather events in 2021, ShelterBox USA has established a fundraising goal of one million dollars to support our efforts to reach some of the world’s most vulnerable people who are bearing the brunt of the increase in extreme weather. To learn more or help to support a future ShelterBox mission, please visit http://www.ShelterBoxUSA.org or by calling (805) 608-2400.
Editor’s Note: To schedule an interview with ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray, please contact Communications-PR Manager Greg Padgett at 678-977-9375 or at [email protected]. Click on the link below to access ShelterBox videos and high resolution images related to our climate change response work: Asset Bank
About ShelterBox
Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth, and dignity following more than 300 disasters in nearly 100 countries. In April 2021, ShelterBox surpassed providing support to two million people since its start in 2000. ShelterBox responds urgently to earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, or conflict by delivering boxes of essential shelter, aid and other lifesaving supplies. Each iconic green ShelterBox contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a water filtration system, emergency lighting, and other tools for survival. The organization was nominated for a distinguished Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019 and has received Charity Navigator’s “4-Star” rating for financial health, accountability, and transparency. ShelterBox USA is based in Santa Barbara, California.
Media Contact
Greg Padgett, ShelterBox USA, 6789779375, [email protected]
SOURCE ShelterBox USA
