As the death toll from the heat wave continues to rise...one Indian artist has carved a giant sand sculpture in the country's eastern city of Puri that highlights the dangerous effects of global warming. 

 

A simple but bold message..."Act fast before it's too late." 

 

The artist used about four tons of sand to create the 1.5 meter high sand sculpture on the Puri beach to raise awareness about global warming.

 

"Global warming and climate change is affecting the whole world. I believe that we are destroying nature, which is leading to environmental changes and we are moving towards concrete buildings. So it is very important that we plant more trees," said Sudarsan Pattnaik, Indian sand artist.

 

The sand sculpture has two sides...one a green earth...the other a burning earth through a human face. 

 

As tourists surround the sculpture, they hold placards encouraging people to go green. 

 

Scientists say India is likely to be hit hard by global warming. 

 

It is already one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world. Many of its 1.2 billion people live in areas vulnerable to hazards such as floods, cyclones and droughts.

 

New weather patterns will not only affect agricultural output and food security, but could lead to water shortages and trigger outbreaks of water and mosquito-borne diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria... not just in India, but in many developing nations.