FUTURE DISASTERS

THE WORLD

DISASTERS

                                                   
FUTURE DISASTERS
         Is life on Earth becoming more dangerous ? In one very important sense, it is. Global population is now 100 times greater than 500 years ago, and it is increasing at a frightening rate. Millions more people are now exposed to natural disasters, and the upsurge in population puts pressure on the quality of people's life across the globe. Many cities now face poverty, epidemics, overcrowding and rising crime.
            Meanwhile, human technology causes increasing damage to Earth's environment. By stripping away the farests that once covered much of the land, and by polluting the atmosphere with industrial waste and transport fumes, we have begun the process of global warning. This is already leading to an increase in violent weather and flooding - mand the risk that the ice caps could melt, drowing much of the world.

                Technology has made our lives safer. New medicines can combat diseases that were once untreatable. But final triumph over illness is a long way off. Some diseases can be controlled, but none are eradicated.
           Another threat comes from space. Giant meteorites have struck Earth before, and sooner or later another will appear. we can only trust that when this happens, our ingenuity will be able to prevent catastrophe.