Global warming is possibly one of the most serious environmental threats
Published:
8 December 2000 y., Friday
Global warming is possibly one of the most serious environmental
threats to this planet, but while solutions to this problem are discussed
people are freezing to death in Riga.
So far this year eight men and two women have died of exposure. Half of
the deaths were alcohol related.
Research at the State Forensic Medicine Center tells a horrifying story.
Annually, between 160 and 170 people, mostly homeless, freeze to death
in Riga. The record high was in 1994 when 218 people lost their lives to
the cold.
Director of the social assistance department at the Ministry of Welfare,
Sandra Baltina, said Latvian law holds municipalities responsible for
people in need of social assistance, but she is not too impressed with
Riga City Council's work.
"I think Riga City Council needs to think more about homeless people,"
Baltina said. "There are not enough beds for homeless people in the
shelters."
At the moment there are two shelters in Riga. One of them provides 20
beds for women and the other offers 50 beds for men. The City Council is
planning to build a new shelter with 200 beds.
Šaltinis:
baltictimes.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Every year 10 000 people lose their lives due to landmines.
more »
Frustrated by the technical explanation of the nuclear crisis in Japan, artist Hachiya Kazuhiko creates cartoon character "Nuclear Boy" for clarification.
more »
A Polish collector discovers a photo believed to be of Frederic Chopin taken just after his death in 1849.
more »
EGNOS-for-aviation, a satellite navigation service launched on 2 March 2011, will increase flight safety, reduce delays and open up new destinations.
more »
Worker finds two time capsules amid earthquake rubble in Christchurch as search and rescue teams continue to comb through debris from the New Zealand earthquake.
more »
A group of elderly men in Brazil have taken up running as they race disease and old age.
more »
"Taxi Yoga," a new exercise class for taxi drivers, helps stretch away the stress of driving a cab in New York City.
more »
Twenty-five rescued circus lions leave Bolivia for a new life at a U.S. animal sanctuary.
more »
Colombian flower growers prepare rose exports for Valentine's Day and hope to reap profits despite a strengthening peso.
more »
Mexican animal rights activists coat their bodies in fake blood to protest bullfighting.
more »