HDR facts and figures (Human Development Report 2007)

1. Current concentrations of CO₂ have reached 380 parts per million (ppm) of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) exceeding the natural range of the last 650,000 years. In the course of the 21^st century, average global temperatures could increase by more than 5^oC. (Human Development Report 2007)
2. If all the world's people generated greenhouse gases at the same rate as some developed countries, it is estimated that we would need nine planets. (Human Development Report 2007)
3. If the world acts now it will be possible – just possible – to keep 21^st century global temperature increases within a 2^oC threshold above pre-industrial levels. (Human Development Report 2007)
4. Even stringent mitigation measures will not materially affect average temperatures until the mid-2030s – and temperatures will not peak until 2050. For the first part of the 21^st century the world in general, and the world’s poor in particular, will have to live with the climate change to which we are already committed. (Human Development Report 2007)
5. To have a 50:50 chance of limiting temperature increase to 2^oC above pre-industrial levels will require stabilization of greenhouse gases at concentrations of around 450 ppm. Stabilization at 550 ppm would raise the probability of breaching that threshold to 80 percent. Some scenarios point to potential stabilization in excess of 750 ppm, with possible temperature changes in excess of 5^oC. (Human Development Report 2007)
6. Rich countries contain only 15 percent of the world's population, but account for almost half of global CO₂ emissions. In Ethiopia the average per capita carbon footprint is 0.1 tonnes of CO₂ compared with 20 tonnes in Canada. (Human Development Report 2007)
7. Emissions are still rising. The carbon budget for the entire 21^st Century could be spent by as early as 2032. We are running up unsustainable ecological debt that will lock future generations into dangerous climate change. (Human Development Report 2007)
8. Climate change could expand drought-affected areas of sub-Saharan Africa by 60-90 million hectares, with dry land zones suffering losses of US$ 26 billion by 2060, exceeding the amount of bilateral aid to the region. (Human Development Report 2007)
9. Global temperature increases of 3-4^oC could result in 330 million people being temporarily or permanently displaced through flooding. Over 70 million people in Bangladesh, 6 million in lower Egypt and 22 million in Vietnam could be affected. One billion people living in urban slums on fragile hillsides or riverbanks are especially at risk. (Human Development Report 2007)
10. If all electrical appliances operating in OECD countries in 2005 had met the best possible efficiency standards, some 322 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions could have been avoided – equivalent to taking 100 million cars off the road. (Human Development Report 2007)

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