Mega-Stress for Mega-Cities: A Climate Vulnerability Ranking of Major Coastal Cities in Asia
Asia is arguably among the regions of the
world most vulnerable to climate change. Climate change and climatic variability
have and will continue to impact all sectors, from national and economic
security to human health, food production, infrastructure, water availability
and ecosystems. The evidence of climate change in Asia is widespread: overall
temperatures have risen from 1°C to 3°C over the last 100 years, precipitation
patterns have changed, the number of extreme weather events is increasing,
and sea levels are rising. Because many of the largest cities in Asia are
located on the coast and within major river deltas, they are even more
susceptible to the impacts of climate change. In response, this report
highlights the vulnerability of some of those cities - with the goal of
increasing regional awareness of the impacts of climate change, providing
a starting point for further research and policy discussions, and triggering
action to protect people and nature in and around Asia's megacities from
mega-stress in the future.












