By Samantha Hayes
Amidst what has been described as a year of weird weather in New Zealand, 2009 has been confirmed as the 5th hottest year globally in the last 130 years.
New Zealand has also experienced its warmest decade according to data from NIWA.
Scott Metcalfe represents Orataiao, a group of over 100 senior doctors, and says climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century.
The temperature is creeping up in New Zealand and across the globe and doctors say the increase in temperature will bring diseases like malaria and dengue fever – spread by mosquitoes.
The danger is said to be so great an editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal went so far as to say "a weak deal at Copenhagen will represent not an historic international agreement, but a suicide pact”.
New Zealand has already warmed about one degree since pre industrial levels.
The failure of countries to commit to large emissions reduction targets in Copenhagen has scientists predicting temperature increases ranging from 2.5 to 5 degrees Celsius by the end of this century.
It is those in the least developed countries that will be hardest hit, according to professor Robert Beaglehole, the ex-head of the United Nation's chronic diseases department.
Prof Robert Beaglehole””
So is it all too late?
Professor Beaglehole says the best thing we can do now is eat less meat and walk instead of drive.
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