Climate refers to the average weather conditions in a specific location over a long period of time. On the other hand, Climate change is the average change observed in these conditions. Recently, Climate change has been accelerating due to people’s increased reliance on oil, gas, and coal for manufacturing and transportation purposes. When we burn fossil fuels, greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere, the majority of which is carbon dioxide (CO₂). So in this article, we are going to know about the Top 10 places most affected by climate change.

How will Climate Change influence Earth and humans?

Greenhouse gas emission is a significant contributor to climate change. According to the reports in the last decade, the temperature of the earth has increased by about 1°C.

Suppose these emissions are not controlled, and they keep contributing to climate change. In that case, people should know the consequences of climate change. This can be destructive and may lead to flooding, storms, wildfires, intensive droughts, rising sea levels, and declining biodiversity.

Changes in temperature and weather patterns cause an imbalance in nature. That may pose a risk to human life and all other forms of life on the earth.

CLIMATE RISK INDEX

Firstly, let us understand the concept of the climate risk Index. It is a concept that refers to a country’s susceptibility to the direct effects of extreme weather events, such as mortality and economic losses, and it is tracked annually by the Germanwatch observatory via the Global Climate Risk Index.

TOP 10 PLACES MOST AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

The Climate Risk Index (CRI) for 2021 identifies these ten countries as now the most vulnerable to climate change. Let us have a look at these countries with their respective CRI:

1. MOZAMBIQUE (CRI: 2.67)

In March 2019, Mozambique experienced a tropical cyclone that became quickly deadly in the Southwest Indian Ocean. That has affected 3 million people and caused an economic loss of $ 2.2 billion.

2. ZIMBABWE (CRI: 6.17)

Cyclone in the eastern part of Zimbabwe has affected 50,000 households and displaced lakhs of people. “Idai” has affected more than 250000 people, more than 500 deaths, and many more missing, moreover 90% of roads and infrastructure were damaged.

3. BAHAMAS (CRI: 6.50)

In September 2019, the most powerful hurricane “Dorian,” caused heavy rainfall and damaged 13000 households. Dorian has damaged about $3.4 US billion of property and human loss.

4. JAPAN (CRI: 14.50)

The most powerful typhoon hit Japan, equivalent to 5 hurricanes, which led to 72hrs of continued rainfall. Almost 100 people died, 15,000 houses were damaged, and many more were missing and injured. In 2019, Japan had to experience a significant heatwave that caused more than 20000 cases of hospitalization and killed over 100 people.

5. MALAWI (CRI: 15.17)

Heavy rainfall led to a flood in 2019, which caused a lot of damage and destruction, and affected 1 million people. Malawi’s economy was highly impacted due to these floods as it was largely dependent on agriculture.

6. AFGHANISTAN (CRI: 16.00)

Afghanistan has experienced heavy rainfall leading to floods and landslides over the year. Destroying approximately 15000 homes and affecting 2 lacs people. Whereas In 2018, there was a severe drought, which in turn caused a lot of damage.

7. INDIA  (CRI: 16.67)

Heavy rainfalls in India have caused a flood responsible for 2000 deaths and millions of economic damage. Further, In 2019, India was the most active cyclone-prone region with 8 major cyclones and storms. The worst cyclone was “Fani” in 2019, which affected 30 million people.

8. SOUTH SUDAN (CRI: 17.33)

South Sudan has experienced severe flooding from 2019 until the end of the year due to heavy rainfall. The flood-affected 1 million people and damaged many thousands of hectares of cultivated land. South Sudan has undergone the loss of approximately $61.5 million of its economy.

9. NIGER (CRI: 17.33)

Niger received heavy rainfall in 2019. Therefore, severely affecting the regions of Maradi and Zinder, affecting more than 2,20000 people and 20,000 households.

10. BOLIVIA (CRI: 19.67)

Wildfires have affected millions of hectares of forests and grasslands and caused a decline in biodiversity. Bolivia has experienced heavy rainfalls and flooding in 2019 that has affected 23000 families. Predictions have been made that the loss in ecosystem and biodiversity will take 3000 years to regenerate.

CONCLUSION

Not controlling human activities, Scientists have observed many changes in the earth’s climate and conclude that the changes can be destructive in the upcoming years. If these greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase with this speed, it will cause an increase in the global temperature by 4.4°C by the end of the century, which will affect the earth badly.

It has been predicted that if global temperature rises by >1.1°C by 2050, the worldwide economy could wipe off by 18%.