Tuhin Sanzid, New York: Climate change is causing significant impacts in Asia, including rising temperatures, more frequent and intense extreme weather events like floods and storms, and rising sea levels, which threaten coastal areas and livelihoods.

Multiple biomes in Asia have already experienced visible shifts in response to climate change. These include changes in growing season length, habitat losses (particularly of the amphibian species) or greater invasive species frequency. Many animal species have been observed to move into warming areas to the north.

According to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Asia remained the world’s most disaster-hit region from weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2023. Floods and storms caused the highest number of reported casualties and economic losses, whilst the impact of heatwaves became more severe.

WMO has confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record, based on six international datasets. The past ten years have all been in the Top Ten, in an extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures.

There is a margin of uncertainty in all temperature assessments. All six datasets place 2024 as the warmest year on record and all highlight the recent rate of warming. But not all show the temperature anomaly above 1.5 °C due to differing methodologies.

The timing of the release of the six temperature datasets was coordinated across the institutions in order to underline the exceptional conditions experienced during 2024. 

About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world’s total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset.

Observed surface air temperature has been increasing since the 20th century all over Asia. Significant warming has intensified the threat to social and economic sustainability (medium confidence). Rising temperatures increase the likelihood of the threat of heatwaves across Asia, droughts in arid and semiarid areas of West, Central and South Asia, delays and weakening of the monsoon circulation in South Asia, floods in monsoon regions in South, Southeast and East Asia, and glacier melting in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region

In our January 2020 global report, Climate risk and response: Physical hazards and socioeconomic impacts, we found that physical risk from climate change is already present and growing around the world. In this report, we look more closely at Asia. While climate science makes extensive use of scenarios ranging from lower (Representative Concentration Pathway 2.6) to higher (RCP 8.5) CO2 concentrations, we focus on RCP 8.5 because it enables us to assess the full inherent physical risk of climate change in the absence of further decarbonization (see sidebar, “Our research methodology”).

This report quantifies the physical risk from climate change for Asia. We characterize risk within and across different countries and categorize impacts in four different types of countries in Asia: Frontier Asia, Emerging Asia, Advanced Asia, and China. We link climate models with economic projections to examine micro cases that illustrate exposure to climate change extremes and proximity to physical thresholds. A separate geospatial assessment examines six indicators to assess potential socioeconomic impact in 16 countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea. While establishing the overall risks of climate change in Asia, this report also seeks to emphasize the path forward through adaptation and mitigation. We highlight adaptation and mitigation strategies for policy makers and business leaders in the region to consider.

The United Nations Development Programme designates the Asia-Pacific region as “the most disaster-prone area globally.” This region encounters distinct challenges due to its vastness, high population density, vulnerability to extreme weather events, and reliance on agriculture and natural resources. Disasters such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts have profound impacts on the lives of individuals.

In 2022, over 140 disasters affected 64 million people in Asia-Pacific, resulting in more than 7,500 fatalities and causing economic losses amounting to $57 billion. Climate forecasts indicate that conditions are likely to deteriorate, with nearly one billion individuals in the region projected to be affected by rising sea levels by 2050, putting major cities like Mumbai, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Shanghai at risk. The issues of large-scale displacement and migration are becoming increasingly pressing, particularly for small island nations and vulnerable communities.

The rise in temperatures and alterations in rainfall patterns present significant obstacles to agricultural productivity and food security. These shifts can result in diminished crop yields, an increase in pests and diseases, and disruptions to food supply chains.

Numerous countries are taking steps to address these challenges by enhancing public awareness, conducting disaster preparedness drills, and implementing early warning systems. Nearly all countries in the Asia-Pacific have ratified the Paris Agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with commitments to objectives such as lowering overall emissions or emissions intensity, expanding forested areas, and investing in renewable energy sources.

Gender roles within the Asia-Pacific region are as diverse as the region itself, encompassing a wide array of beliefs, norms, and traditions. There is a growing recognition of women's leadership in decision-making roles across various fields, including science, law, politics, environmental advocacy, traditional leadership, healthcare, and caregiving, although progress remains gradual.

The Asia-Pacific region performed well in the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, which highlights advancements in gender equality.

Intersecting Identities: Economic Insecurity, Population, and Climate

When analyzing the impacts of climate change, it is crucial to take into account the various intersecting identity traits of individuals. A person's experience with climate change can vary significantly based on their roles and responsibilities. This is particularly evident in gender-specific roles, such as those of caregivers, which are often assumed by women, including mothers and daughters, especially in rural settings. Factors such as age, geographic location, and ethnicity also play a significant role in shaping an individual's experience of climate change.

Individuals residing in rural areas may encounter the effects of climate change in unique ways due to their geographic circumstances and socioeconomic status. These experiences are further compounded when the individual is a rural woman.

Decreased agricultural yields can result in diminished incomes, food insecurity, and heightened stress for women, who typically manage household finances and meal preparation.

For instance, an article from Mekong Eye highlights the perilous journey women undertake to fetch water in Myanmar’s Central Dry Zone. They confront extreme heat, conflicts involving military and armed groups, and the constant threat of violence.

In a similar vein, droughts have adversely impacted crops, livestock, and water resources in Chitrakoot, India, compelling men to migrate for employment. This shift has placed the onus of family care and household management on women. The combination of drought and reduced income has also heightened risks, including sexual exploitation by landowners.

Moreover, in Bolangir, a tribal district in Odisha, and Kendrapada district, droughts have led to food shortages and income loss, creating significant stress within households. Women often find themselves consuming less than other family members while shouldering greater labor responsibilities. Additionally, climate-induced crop failures can trap farmers in cycles of debt and escalating poverty. Droughts and climate-related disasters compel women to seek microloans from informal lenders and to liquidate assets to satisfy food needs. The ongoing cycle of borrowing exacerbates their financial vulnerability.

Impact of Climate Change on Women's Health and Well-Being

The rising frequency and severity of weather events, driven by climate change, significantly affect both physical and mental health.

A recent investigation by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, which analyzed heat-related productivity losses from a gender perspective, revealed that when unpaid labor is considered, women's heat-related losses increase by 260%, in contrast to a 76% increase for men. The findings indicate that extreme heat disproportionately impacts women's physical health and economic stability.

The psychological ramifications of climate change, whether stemming from acute trauma or chronic anxiety, are frequently underestimated and have a notable effect on women. This includes the mental strain caused by witnessing the devastation of their homes and communities, as well as anxiety regarding the future amid ongoing disasters. Additionally, the forced displacement and distress migration resulting from these climate-related events further exacerbate mental health challenges.

In Bangladesh, for instance, a 2020 study highlighted that cyclone adversely affected individuals' mental health, linking them to stress, sleep disorders, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The study identified the elderly, women, and children as the most vulnerable groups. A subsequent 2023 study in Bangladesh indicated a correlation between climate change and mental health, revealing that women are more likely than men to suffer from depression due to climate-related stressors. It also found that individuals with access to education were less prone to depression, underscoring the importance of educational opportunities in mitigating these issues.

To effectively tackle these climate-related challenges, comprehensive mental health services and localized solutions are essential. However, many nations lack adequate resources to address the mental health crisis. For example, in low- and middle-income countries within the Asia-Pacific region, there is fewer than one psychiatrist for every 100,000 individuals, resulting in limited access to necessary mental health services.

Collective action for real solutions

Amid these daunting prospects, impact investing tools offer hope and are gaining momentum in the region to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote long-term economic resilience. However, to be truly successful at the pace and scale required to avoid catastrophic outcomes, we must pool our collective resources and expertise.

After much speculation, world leaders have realized the need to take action to limit global warming. The consensus of world leaders on keeping temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius and the strong commitment to implementation will help address the impacts of climate change.

However, the question remains as to how effective it will be in preventing global climate change if it is limited to discussions, decision-making, and photo sessions. Because countries really need to do something to prevent the adverse effects of climate change, which will reduce global temperature rise and protect the world from the adverse effects of climate change.

For this, we have to stop cutting down trees. We have to plant twice as many trees as we cut down. If we can reduce the use of fossil fuels, then it is possible to reduce the air temperature to a large extent. Fossil fuels emit harmful gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

“As demonstrated at the recent inaugural One Earth Summit, we are harnessing every tool at our disposal and pushing through any barrier. This includes breaking down silos to synergistically utilize expertise and resources across all sectors to create the most innovative solutions,” says Poman Lo, founder of the Institute of Sustainability and Technology. “It’s only through this collaborative approach that we’ll achieve the transition to a low-carbon economy rapidly enough to ensure a more sustainable future for Asia and the world.”

The One Earth Summit brought together key players from family offices, businesses, investors, philanthropists, policymakers and academics to move the needle on investing in innovations for sustainability. These global sustainability leaders identified how to mobilize more capital and scale and accelerate the implementation of innovative solutions and systems in Asia, such as green financing, start-ups and cutting-edge technologies.

Experts Opinion

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said, the staff of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are like doctors and nurses – working 24/7 to safeguard and promote public well-being.

In response to an email from the New York Mail, he added, during the past 75 years, we have brought billions of dollars in added value to the global economy. We have saved billions more in averted economic losses from weather, climate and water-related hazards. And we have saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

Celeste Saulo also said, Climate history is playing out before our eyes. We’ve had not just one or two record-breaking years, but a full ten-year series. This has been accompanied by devastating and extreme weather, rising sea levels and melting ice, all powered by record-breaking greenhouse gas levels due to human activities.