In recent years, climate change has been one of the warning threats to human life on the planet earth. Numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations have stepped out to contribute to the better good of humanity. And taking steps against climate change has been the top priority of these organizations. For example, Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teenager activist, continues spreading her voice for climate change.
As climate change has become a global threat, Asia has been on the front row of the victims of this global crisis. According to CNN, in 2021, 60 million people were either directly or indirectly affected by climate change in Asia. Shockingly enough, the report warns that the risk is likely to grow in the upcoming years.
If no solid actions are taken, Asia can be the worst hit by climate change by 2030. Another research by Kingsley Global presents yet another worst-case scenario. By 2050, among the deadliest hits by climate change, Asia will the first one, suggests the research.
The Matter of Climate Change is “Do or Die” and “Now or Never”
With that all said, in Asia, solid steps are inevitable to avoid any deadly disaster in the region. And the steps taken to counter climate change should be “swift, instant, and deep,” according to Jim Skea, who is the sitting CEO of IPCC Group. He goes on to say, “In Asia, the global warming needs to go down to somewhere 2 degrees. Without that, it is almost impossible to control the disaster of climate change in the region.”
Furthermore, Jim Skea suggests that it is “do or die” and “now or never” matter in Asia. “Though the region possesses the capability of decarbonizing and greenhouse gas emission, overall the region is uneven when it comes to fighting global warming,” he concludes. So, immediate and thorough actions are the crying need of the day if we want to eliminate climate change from Asia.
How Asia Reacts to Climate Change?
Reports suggest that both developing and undeveloped countries are equally affected by climate change and global warming in Asia. For example, the two leading Asian countries, China and India, were equally vulnerable to climate change last year. However, these two countries have taken specific steps to handle climate change in Asia. Some of them are:
- Phasing out coal.
- Massive decarbonization.
- China has developed a giant greenhouse effect, with gas emissions larger than any developed country in the world.
- India has set out a net-zero emission plan – to go all-green – by 2070.
Although these steps are efficient, some of them are long-term ones. India’s net-zero emission plan, for example, is 70 years far from today. Of course, is too far. The steps should be brusque, swift, and all-encompassing. Likewise, a major part of China’s economy relies on coal, and the Chinese government has no plan to swiftly eliminate coal. Yet again, this could be problematic and could contribute to the growing challenges of climate change in Asia.
