BBC News reports that 182 million people in Africa alone could die as a result of climate change before the end of the century. Climate-induced floods, famine, drought and conflict could reverse recent gains in reducing poverty, it says.

The Christian Aid report on which the article is based argues that rich nations must aid poorer ones to adopt non-fossil-fuel energy sources such as wind, solar and wave-based power. The report comes as almost 190 states gather in Bonn, Germany, to discuss climate change as a precursor to talks later this month that will begin discussions on how to extend Kyoto to beyond 2012. Those talks could take several years.

The Independent has picked up on this story as well, here.

The report warns:

• 182 million people in sub-Saharan African could die of disease by 2100.

• Average global temperatures could rise by between 1.5C and 6C by 2100; sea levels are set to rise by between 15cm and 95cm.

• The number of people affected by storms and floods has increased from 740 million to 2.5 billion people since the 1970s.

• Up to 3 million people die of malaria each year. Warmer, wetter weather will help the disease to spread.

• Climate change could reduce Africa’s crop yields by 10 per cent.