Asia suffered the most from climate disasters in 2023

Asia suffered the most from climate disasters in 2023

Elizaveta Volkotrub

Floods and storms are a major cause of climate-related hazards in Asia

The United Nations has released a report stating that Asia was most affected by climate and weather events in 2023.

This is reported by DW.

Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which is the competent UN body for monitoring the state of the Earth's atmosphere and its interaction with the oceans, released a report stating that floods and storms are the main cause of climate-related hazards in Asia.

It is reported that in 2023, a total of 79 water-related disasters were recorded in Asia, more than 80% of which were floods and storms, which killed more than 2,000 people and directly affected another 9 million people.

"Floods were the leading cause of death in 2023," WMO said.

The organization emphasizes that the accelerated growth of the main indicators of climate change will have serious consequences for society, the economy and ecosystems. These indicators include average temperatures, rainfall, glacier retreat and sea level rise.

"Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of such events, which has significantly affected society, the economy and, most importantly, human lives," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

It is noted that temperatures around the world reached a record high last year, but it was Asia that warmed up particularly quickly.

"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change is not just an option, but a fundamental necessity," added Saulo.

As EcoPolitic previously reported, scientists from the German Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) found that by 2049 economic losses from climate change could reach about $38 trillion per year.

Related
Firefighters spent four days battling large-scale fires in the forests of Zhytomyr region
Firefighters spent four days battling large-scale fires in the forests of Zhytomyr region

Firefighting efforts were hampered by the rugged terrain and the risk of the fire spreading

Oil from the attacked port of Chornomorsk has polluted the coastline of the national park in the Odesa region
Oil from the attacked port of Chornomorsk has polluted the coastline of the national park in the Odesa region

In total, approximately 10,000 square meters of the park's shoreline have been polluted

Ukraine is warming slightly faster than the rest of the world. How does this affect the seasons and precipitation?
Ukraine is warming slightly faster than the rest of the world. How does this affect the seasons and precipitation?

Heat waves are increasingly giving way to hailstorms, and winter thaws to bitter cold