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Climate change could kill 250,000 children next year alone, and the numbers are likely to rise in years to come as climate-related famine, disease and other dangers escalate, according to Save The Children.

The new report from the international charity is certainly one of the most devastating and heart-wrenching predictions concerning climate change, and should serve as a major wake-up call to the world that we need to take serious action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the ramifications of a rapidly changing planet. 

Save the Children warns that the consequences of climate change will threaten the lives and health of children in a variety of ways, including water and food shortages, diseases like malaria spreading farther and faster, and an increase in extreme natural disasters such as floods and cyclones.  David Mepham, Save the Children’s Director of Policy, sends an urgent call to action for those attending this December’s UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen:

This is not just Africa’s problem, it affects everyone.  Climate change is a ticking time bomb. Global leaders need to act now to stop the needless deaths of millions of children.

I’d like to believe that the predicted numbers are exaggerated, but we can’t afford to wait and see, we need to start taking action now.  Use the action links below to find out what you can do to help Save the Children and the upcoming climate talks.