Former President Clinton opens annual conference, warns of natural disasters and poor economy

Bill Clinton: Economy, disasters imperil millions

NEW YORK — Former President Bill Clinton says the economic downturn and recent natural disasters have imperiled untold numbers of lives across the world.

The former president spoke in New York on the first day of the annual Clinton Global Initiative.

The CGI brings together business and philanthropic leaders, who make financial commitments aimed at tackling poverty and disease.

Clinton said this year’s earthquake in Haiti and recent flooding in Pakistan showed governments need to be better prepared. He said natural disasters were happening more frequently, in part because of the effects of climate change.

Clinton announced new projects to assist Pakistan, Haiti and the Louisiana gulf coast, which is still recovering from the massive oil spill and the effects of Hurricane Katrina five years ago.