One hundred million. That’s how many people will die between 2010 and 2030 as a result of climate change and carbon-intensive energy use, according to a new report commissioned by the governments of some of the countries most vulnerable to the changes.

The report, by the humanitarian organization DARA, finds that climate change already causes an average of 400,000 deaths each year, mostly due to hunger and communicable diseases in developing countries. Meanwhile, there are 4.5 million carbon-related deaths due to causes including indoor smoke and air pollution. That adds up to nearly 5 million deaths a year, and the number will rise to nearly 6 million by 2030.

In economic terms, the report finds that climate change cost the world $700 billion — or close to 1 percent of global GDP — in lost potential for economic development in 2010. Combined with costs related to the carbon-intensive economy, the total was more than $1.2 trillion.

As temperatures rise, the economic impact of climate change is estimated to more than double, reaching 2.5 percent of global GDP by 2030, and additional carbon economy costs will bring the total impact to more than 3 percent.

Developing countries will suffer the most in terms of both mortality and money. The report says least developed countries face an average of more than 10 percent forgone GDP in 2010 because of climate change and the carbon economy. Over 90 percent of deaths from both sets of causes, and more than 98 percent of those caused by climate change, will occur in developing countries.

The report calls for action to reduce climate change and carbon dependence and estimates that shift would cost 0.5 percent of GDP this decade. Other studies have found a higher cost — 2 percent of Global GDP in one case, according to Reuters.

Along with reducing the impact of climate change and carbon-intensive energy, the DARA report says the international community must work to mitigate key risks like food security, smoke and air pollution and diseases that are associated with the environmental damages.

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