Environmental Changes in Asia

Rising Temperatures and Extreme Weather

Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, with a 0.91°C rise above the 1991–2020 average in 2023, the second-highest on record ^{[1], [2]}.

• Extreme Weather: In 2023, 79 hydro-meteorological disasters, primarily floods and storms, caused over 2,000 deaths and affected nine million people ^[3].
• Heatwaves: South and Southeast Asia face intensifying heatwaves, with cities potentially enduring a month of extreme heat annually by 2080 ^{[4], [5]}.

Sea Level Rise and Coastal Impacts

• Rising Seas: Sea levels in the northwest Pacific and Arabian Sea rise faster than the global average, with economic losses projected at $167.6–338.1 billion ^{[1], [4]}.
• Coastal Ecosystems: Coral reefs and mangroves face near-total loss if warming exceeds 1.5°C, with Bangladesh’s power plants at risk from salinity intrusion ^[4].
• Displacement: Up to 2.1 million people could be displaced by 2050 in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China ^[4].

Glacier Retreat and Water Security

• High Mountain Asia: Himalayan and Tien Shan glaciers are losing mass, threatening water supplies for millions in the Hindu Kush region ^{[1], [4]}.
• Water Cycle Disruptions: Droughts in West and Central Asia and flooding in monsoon regions like South Asia caused $7.6 billion in losses in China (2022) and devastating floods in Pakistan ^[6].

Air Pollution and Health Risks

• South Asia’s Crisis: Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India rank among the world’s most polluted, with Bangladesh exceeding WHO air quality guidelines by 16 times in 2023 ^[7].
• Health Impacts: Climate-driven pollution increases respiratory and vector-borne diseases, worsened by coal reliance ^{[8], [9]}.

Biodiversity Loss

• Ecosystem Decline: Asia-Pacific has seen significant biodiversity loss since 1970 due to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change ^[9].
• Marine Systems: Ocean warming and acidification threaten coral reefs and fisheries, with record sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific in 2023 ^[1].

Economic and Social Impacts

• GDP Losses: Asia-Pacific faces a potential 17% GDP drop by 2070, rising to 41% by 2100 under high-emission scenarios ^[10].
• Agriculture: Saltwater intrusion threatens rice production, notably in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, which supplies over half of the country’s rice ^[11].
• Migration and Poverty: Climate change could push 3.3–7.5 million into poverty by 2030, with increased migration ^[12].

Regional Responses and Challenges

• Mitigation: Asia contributes 39% of global emissions, with coal-heavy economies like China and India. Renewables are growing, with Asia adding nearly half of global new capacity ^[12].
• Adaptation: Climate-smart agriculture and mangrove restoration are advancing, but rural areas lack funding ^{[8], [4]}.
• Policy Gaps: ASEAN’s mitigation efforts are often insufficient, prioritizing economic growth ^[13].

Positive Developments

• Afforestation: China’s efforts have restored forests in Saihanba and Kubuqi, adding forest cover nearly twice the size of the UK since 2012 ^[14].
• Renewable Energy: India’s hydropower projects and USAID’s Southeast Asia Smart Power Program aim for 35% renewable capacity by 2025 ^[14].

Conclusion

Asia faces severe environmental changes, from rapid warming and extreme weather to sea level rise, glacier retreat, and air pollution, threatening ecosystems, economies, and livelihoods. With a potential 17–41% GDP loss by 2100 and millions at risk of displacement and poverty, the continent is at a critical juncture. While coal reliance and policy gaps pose challenges, renewable energy growth and afforestation efforts offer hope. Addressing these issues requires balancing economic needs with robust mitigation and adaptation, prioritizing vulnerable communities ^{[8], [12]}.