Asia-Pacific at the Frontlines of Climate Change
The Asia-Pacific region is facing the brunt of climate change, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense. As global temperatures rise, countries in this region are experiencing unprecedented challenges that threaten lives and economies.
Extreme Weather on the Rise
Over the past three decades, the Asia-Pacific has averaged six natural disasters a year—twice as many as Latin America and the Caribbean, and three times more than sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022 alone, over 64 million people were affected by extreme weather events, leading to more than 7,500 deaths and causing an estimated US$57 billion in economic damage.
Climate Migration: A Growing Concern
With disasters leading to 32.6 million internal displacements worldwide in 2022, the Asia-Pacific accounted for 70% of these movements. The World Bank estimates that by 2050, South Asia could see up to 40 million climate migrants as people flee from rising sea levels, droughts, and other climate-related hazards.
APEC Leaders Seek Solutions
This backdrop sets the stage for the 2024 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru. Leaders from 21 member economies, including the United States, China, and major Southeast Asian nations, are gathering to discuss pressing development challenges. High on the agenda is how to tackle and adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change.
Hope for the Future
Despite the challenges, the Asia-Pacific region is also at the forefront of climate solutions. Public concern about climate change is high, and there is strong support for ambitious climate action. The upcoming APEC meeting offers a platform for leaders to explore further actions to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of a warming globe.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
