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
Climate change makes microplastics more toxic and faster – study
Climate change makes microplastics more toxic and faster – study

As it turned out, these critical problems of modern ecology are interrelated, requiring urgent measures to solve both of them

Belgian farmer sues oil company for its impact on the climate
Belgian farmer sues oil company for its impact on the climate

The court's decision on the case could set a historic precedent, creating legal risks for transnational polluting companies

Call to action without abandoning fossil fuels: mixed results from COP30
Call to action without abandoning fossil fuels: mixed results from COP30

Delegates agreed on protecting forests and oceans, but consensus broke down on the issue of abandoning oil and gas

Iceland has declared a national security threat due to the risk of ocean currents collapsing
Iceland has declared a national security threat due to the risk of ocean currents collapsing

If warm water currents from the southern Atlantic stop, Iceland will find itself in a freezing ice trap