HUMAN AND ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME WEATHER

 The human and economic dimensions of climate change are far-reaching and multifaceted, impacting various sectors and regions  globally.


A report released by the World Meterological Organisation(WMO) said:"Extreme weather is wrecking havoc on communities and economies across the world."


The report issued during the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, observed:"Climate catastrophe is hammering health, widening inequalities, harming sustainable development and rocking the foundations of peace. The vulnerable are hit the hardest."


"The record-breaking rainfall and flooding, rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, deadly heat, relentless drought and raging wildfires this year are unfortunately our new reality and a fore-taste of our future," Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary General, is quoted as saying.


A study based on available data from the International Disaster Database(EM-DAT), the WMO reports that there has been a sevenfold increase in the reported disaster losses from extreme weather since the 1970s.


Scientists using above methodology that examines how anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions had changed the occurrence of specific extreme weather events, quantified the climate change-induced component of these costs in the last twenty years. Scientists have found the costs of extreme events attributable to climate change at US $ 143 billion, per year.


According to a study by the prestigious science journal Nature, climate change affected 1.4 billion people through extreme weather events between 2000 and 2019.


In the context of  COP29, NGOs agrue that,"the loss of homes and livelihoods in a poor community in poor countries are more devastating in the longer term than losses in wealthy countries where the state is able  and willing to assist in recovery."


The UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) latest adaptation gap report says international public adaption finance flows to the developing countries was $29 billion in 2022, in contrast to an estimated requirement of $187-360 billion per year. A recent report said just six states in India need around Rs.44,470 crore($5.50billion)from 2021 to 2030. 


Unable to adapt to climate change impacts, most countries are facing losses and damages.


Source: WMO, UNEP



 

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