Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change are those most severely affected by climate change impacts. This article aims to explore the situation of these countries and possible solutions.
Q. What are Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change?
A. Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change are nations severely affected by the impacts of climate change.
For example, small island nations losing their homes and lands to rising sea levels each year are like small sandcastles unprotected against massive waves. Bangladesh is also among these vulnerable countries, having lost thousands of homes to flooding over the past decade.
These countries, although contributing least to global carbon emissions, are suffering significant damage due to climate change-induced disasters like rising temperatures, droughts, and floods, urgently requiring international cooperation and assistance.
● Climate Change Vulnerability
The Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) Index assesses and ranks countries based on their vulnerability to climate change.
According to this index, the countries most vulnerable to climate change globally include Somalia, Chad, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, Micronesia, Tonga, Eritrea, Sudan, Liberia, and Solomon Islands, mainly located in Africa.
Q. What is Climate Change Vulnerability?
A. Climate Change Vulnerability refers to how susceptible a region, country, or society is to the effects of climate change. To effectively respond to climate change, it's essential to objectively assess vulnerability, akin to measuring blood pressure or temperature to gauge a person's health.
Climate change vulnerability assessments play a crucial role for governments and international organizations in formulating policies to respond to climate change and providing support and resources.
● Climate Change Vulnerability Indicators
Various indicators are used to assess climate change vulnerability. The '2007 Report on Key Vulnerabilities and Risks due to Climate Change' published by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) uses regional exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity as indicators.
1. Exposure
Exposure indicates how much a specific area is exposed to significant climate changes.
For example, coastal areas at risk of flooding due to sea-level rise are a good example of high exposure. Low-lying coastal areas with a high risk of flooding due to sea-level rise, and regions experiencing frequent and severe droughts or floods have high exposure.
2. Sensitivity
Sensitivity shows how an area can be affected or harmed by climate change.
Agriculture in regions dependent on consistent rainfall patterns is a good example of sensitivity. Agriculture heavily reliant on specific climate conditions can be significantly impacted by changes (e.g., shifts in rainfall patterns due to climate change), indicating high sensitivity.
3. Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive capacity refers to the ability of a system to adapt to climate change, mitigate potential damages, capitalize on opportunities, and cope with the consequences.
Communities with robust disaster management plans and resilient infrastructure have strong adaptive capacity. They typically have strong governance, high technological accessibility, community cohesion, and financial resources.
● Climate Change Vulnerability Maps and Impact Scenarios
The 'Climate Change Vulnerability Map and Impact Scenarios' report, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2015, is a crucial resource for understanding climate vulnerability in various regions.
The report presents climate vulnerability under three scenarios based on the degree of global temperature rise compared to 1990-2000 levels:
○ Up to 2°C global average temperature increase:
Predicted to exacerbate current major impacts, especially affecting food security.
○ Up to 2-4°C global average temperature increase:
Expected to lead to an increase in major impacts at all scales, including widespread loss of biodiversity, decreased global agricultural productivity, and significant melting of Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets.
○ Over 4°C global average temperature increase:
Anticipated to greatly increase vulnerability.
Q. Why Are Developing Countries More Vulnerable to Climate Change?
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| (Photo Credit : The Portland Press Herald) |
According to the World Bank, climate change particularly affects regions with severe poverty and inequality. These areas lack the financial and technical resources necessary for an effective response to climate change.
Countries like Bangladesh are experiencing economic losses due to rising sea levels and intensified cyclones. These natural disasters impact agriculture, fisheries, and the tourism industry, posing significant obstacles to economic growth.
The Philippines frequently faces infrastructure destruction due to extreme weather events like typhoons. Such natural disasters destroy vital public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and schools, causing long-term economic and social damages.
In many parts of Africa, drought and rising temperatures significantly decrease agricultural productivity. This leads to reduced crop yields and food shortages, creating climate refugees who must leave their homes in search of food.
Q. How Can We Help Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change?
A. Both the vulnerable countries themselves and the international community are implementing various programs and funds to support these nations.
○ Efforts by Vulnerable Countries
Many Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have submitted enhanced National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to mitigate climate change.
○ International Cooperation
Although these countries account for only 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are the most affected by the climate crisis, necessitating international support.
Organizations like the World Bank play a significant role in climate investments for developing countries, emphasizing the link between climate change, poverty, and inequality. In 2023, they provided a record $38.6 billion in climate finance.
At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28), an initial fund of $792 million was established for the ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ to monetarily compensate the vulnerable countries for the damages incurred due to the climate crisis.
The issue of vulnerable countries is crucial for all of us. Just as carbon emissions from our country can affect climate change in another, climate change impacts transcend borders.
So, what can we do? Firstly, it's vital to learn about vulnerable countries and spread awareness about this issue.
Moreover, small environmentally-conscious practices in our daily lives, like recycling or using public transport, can contribute to global climate action.
“To embrace the future,
we must expand the scope of vocations that can herald the coming of peace.
Even though we may never meet our descendants, we must make sure that all their activities will harmonize in peaceful societies and nations.”
-Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon
Founder of Sunhak Peace Prize-
Written by: Yeon Je Choi