Our changing world - Alarm bells are ringing

TODAY we report the Paris-based International Energy Agency estimates new electronic gadgets will triple their energy consumption by 2030 to 1,700 terawatt hours, the equivalent of today’s home electricity consumption in America and Japan.

The world would have to build around 200 nuclear power stations just to power all the TVs, iPods, PCs and other home electronics in use by 2030.

We also report that 100 million people risk losing their homes and livelihoods unless drastic steps are taken to protect southeast Asia’s coral reefs, which could be wiped by climate change

If that was not cheering enough we also report that the number of birds on the critically endangered list has grown despite conservation efforts.

And yet there are those who still contend that we do not need to change our habits.