An imminent threat is looming in countries in Asian countries as they are most likely to witness the devastating consequences of unabated climate change. According to a report produced by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the temperature on Asian landmass will increase by nearly 6 degree Celsius by the end of the century.
The report titled “A Region at Risk: The Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific,” says that the coastal and low-lying areas in the region will be at an increased risk of flooding. The global flood losses are expected to increase to $52 billion per year by 2050 from $6 billion in 2005 and 13 of the top 20 cities with the largest growth of annual flood losses from 2005-2050 are in Asia and the Pacific. There are four Indian cities that can face the wrath of the devastating floods: Mumbai, Chennai-Madras, Surat, and Kolkata (India). Other cities in Asia-Pacific are Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Zhanjiang, and Xiamen China); Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam); Jakarta (Indonesia); Bangkok (Thailand); and Nagoya (Japan).
The report also says that Climate change also poses a significant risk to health in Asia and the Pacific. Nearly 3.3 million people die every year due to outdoor pollution with China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh leading the fray. According to a WHO report, heat-related deaths in the region among the elderly are expected to increase by about 52,000 cases by 2050 due to climate change.
The report also says that the food production in the region would become more difficult and production cost will increase. In some countries of Southeast Asia, rice yields could decline by up to 50% by 2100 if no adaptation efforts are made. It further warns that the food shortages could further increase the number of malnourished children in South Asia by 7 million, as import costs will likely increase.
