Global Warming & ASIA!

Science has established that global climate change increases the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters such as floods, fires, and droughts, and causes ecosystem degradation. This in turn reduces the resilience of ecosystems and human societies against the impacts of climate change and the increased risk of disasters. Ecosystem degradation compromises the carbon sequestration ability of natural systems, and may turn these systems from carbon sinks to sources, thus exacerbating the downward spiral. Unwise use of ecosystems by human beings aggravates this vicious cycle. The present styles of living are way beyond the Earth’s carrying capacity. Ecosystem degradation is rampant in almost all regions of the world.  By 2025, China’s GDP is estimated to treble from current levels to $28 trillion, while India’s is forecast to rise to $5 trillion  – totalling nearly 23% of global economic output between them.

China’s manufacturing heartland, encompassing the cities of Guangzhou, Dongguan and Foshan are among the most exposed to physical risks from extreme climate-related events. Asia is facing the brunt of climate change and will see severe stress on water resources and food-grain production in the future, increasing the risk of armed conflict among India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China . India, like other developing economies, may lose up to 1.7% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if the annual mean temperature rises by 1 degree Celsius compared to pre-industrialization level, hitting the poor the most. Climate change is already becoming a determining factor in the national security policies of states, said a statement issued by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which has been working to arrive at a global climate deal by 2015 to fight the menace effectively through combined efforts of nations.

It is also predicted an increase in extreme weather events such as last year's flash floods in Uttarakhand (in India) and cyclone Phailin in Odisha (in India) ; if steps are not taken to control the rise in temperature.

Nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impacts of climate change. Rise in temperatures would also affect 'beach tourism' in many countries. India surprisingly stands out as the most vulnerable among 51 countries where beach tourism is an important sector. Climate change is not just about the future. People around the world were already getting hit as it has been affecting livelihoods, reduced food-grain production, raises food prices and destruction of homes. These trends will accelerate if climate change is left unchecked.

SPECIFIC FINDINGS:

• Coming years will see more extreme weather events (floods, cyclones, cloud bursts, unseasonal excessive rains and drought etc) in most parts of the globe.
• Maldives, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be among the most affected countries in Asia.
• Severe stress on fresh water resources in South Asia and China (Himalayan river basins) may become a reason for armed conflict in the region by middle of the 21st century.
• Climate change may be a determining factor in national security policies.
• Coastal flooding will not only kill people and cause destruction; it will also affect tourism in India (like in Goa and Kerala).
• Decline in food grain production (wheat in India/Pakistan and wheat and maize in China).
• Big coastal cites like Mumbai and Kolkata will be affected by sea-level rise in 21st century.
• Some fish and other marine animals will face extinction by 2050, affecting fishing community.
• In many regions, changing precipitation or melting snow and ice are altering hydrological systems, affecting water resources in terms of quantity and quality.
• Glaciers (including Himalayan) continue to shrink almost worldwide due to climate change, affecting run-off and water resources downstream.
• Climate change will impact human health mainly by exacerbating health problems that already exist.
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