$145-B System Needed To Minimize Risk of Climate Change in Asia Pacific, UN Report Says

The United Nations reported that the Asia-Pacific nations are facing a crucial time to strengthen their defenses against climate-related threats.

(Photo : Pexels/Vincent M.A. Janssen)

According to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the region experienced 140 disasters in 2022, resulting in 7,500 fatalities and $57 billion in economic damage.

The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2023 suggested that disaster-related mortality and economic damages are expected to reach $1 trillion, or 3% of regional GDP under a 2-degree Celsius warming scenario.

The report further added that the most vulnerable subregions, such as the Pacific Small Island Developing States, will see increased inequality and destruction in the agriculture and energy sectors, jeopardizing food and energy security.

"As temperatures continue to rise, new disaster hotspots are emerging, and existing ones are intensifying. A disaster emergency is underway, and we must fundamentally transform our approach to building resilience," said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

Early Warning System

The United Nations estimates that the Asia-Pacific region needs roughly $145 billion to establish systems to reduce deaths and damage from floods, earthquakes, droughts, and other catastrophes.

According to Euro News, an early warning system is an integrated system for hazard monitoring, forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, communication, and preparedness.

Such systems allow communities, governments, and corporations to have time to act and mitigate risks before a disaster occurs.

"Increased investments in multi-hazard early warning systems as well as expanding coverage, particularly in least developed countries, is essential in reducing fatalities. Early warning systems can also decrease disaster losses by up to 60%, offering a remarkable tenfold return on investment," the UN report said.

Countries that lack appropriate early warning coverage have an eight times higher disaster fatality rate than countries that do have such systems in place. estimates.

Speaking during COP27, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced their plan to cover an early warning system against climate disaster in every country within five years.

According to Reuters, just one-third of small island developing states and less than half of least-developed countries have access to warning systems for imminent storms, floods, tsunamis, and other disasters.

Mami Mizutori, head of the U.N. disaster risk reduction agency, said putting comprehensive protective mechanisms in place globally is "ambitious," but "we must do it."

"Every day we fail to do it, more lives are lost," she added.

Economic loss

The rising frequency of extreme weather events, such as powerful tropical storms and exceptional heat waves, has increased the urgency to find measures to protect people and adapt; thus, the report encourages governments to do more to minimize the effects of climate change.

China, India, and Japan face the greatest potential monetary losses from rising global temperatures, the Associated Press reported.

However, it is the smaller nations that would suffer the most economic loss, with Vanuatu, Tonga, Palau, and Micronesia in the top five.

Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Laos are all anticipated to suffer huge proportionate losses, equal to 7%-13% of their GDP.

Related Article: Is Climate Change Asia-Pacific's Biggest Threat?