Global warming is possibly one of the most serious environmental threats

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.