Report Warns of Dire Impact of Climate Change on Asia-Pacific

A recently released Human Development Report focusing on the Asia-Pacific region highlights the devastating implications of climate change.

The report, titled “Making our Future: New Directions for Human Development in Asia and the Pacific,” underscores the profound threat posed by climate change, stressing that it could undo decades of progress and place an unprecedented burden on future generations.

The report acknowledges the region’s significant strides in economic growth, which have successfully lifted 1.5 billion people out of extreme poverty over the last three decades. However, it warns that this growth has come at a severe cost to the environment, exacerbating planetary pressures and posing severe risks to human development.

Asia-Pacific, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, remains a major contributor to global emissions, accounting for 85% of all energy consumption. The report emphasizes the urgent need for a shift toward carbon-neutral and climate-resilient development to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

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Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific stresses the importance of prioritizing people-centric policies and sustainable growth strategies to secure a future that is not only secure and peaceful but also sustainable and prosperous. Among the pressing concerns outlined in the report are extreme weather events, declining biodiversity, health challenges including pandemics, rising sea levels, and climate-induced migration.

The Asia-Pacific region faces an increasing frequency of natural disasters, with 2022 alone witnessing over 7,500 deaths and economic damage estimated at US$57 billion due to extreme weather. Moreover, the report warns of biodiversity loss and potential health crises linked to climate change, with changing weather patterns increasing the risk of infectious diseases.

Coastal regions, vital to the region’s economy, face heightened vulnerability to sea-level rise, threatening industries like tourism, fishing, and trade. Additionally, climate-induced migration is widespread in the region, displacing millions and adversely affecting livelihoods.

In conclusion, the report stresses the urgency of scaling up climate action to safeguard the Asia-Pacific region’s future. It highlights the region’s pivotal role in both contributing to and being impacted by climate change, emphasizing the critical need for immediate and robust measures to protect future generations.