Code Red: Warning Signs for Climate Change
Created By RISC | 1 year ago
Last modified date : 1 year ago
Should we be worried by natural disasters now occurring all around the world?
The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expects our planet's temperature to rise by 1.1°C, primarily caused by humans, bringing extreme climate change, with heat waves and heavy rainfall.
Melting glaciers and heat have caused the annual rise in sea levels to nearly triple from 1.3 mm in 1901-71 to 3.7 mm in 2006-18.
UN Secretary António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres said: "These are the warning signs that the climate crisis has entered the code red for humanity." Reducing carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050 is an important milestone in reducing global warming and preparing for many climate-related disasters.
Thailand, one of the countries affected by climate change, is particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise, high rainfall, and droughts, which are predicted to become more frequent and severe. We must prepare early for all of these threats.
Singapore is one of the Southeast Asian countries most vulnerable to sea level rise and the effects of climate change. Singapore, however, already has policies in place for a Resilient Future:
1. Additional strategies to protect coastlines and prevent floods
2. Increasing food production capacity for national food security
3. Reducing urban heat island
We could apply many of Singapore's tactics to Thailand to prepare for sea level rise and flooding induced by climate change, as well as to be aware of other hazards to avert them in advance.
Story by Woraporn Poonyakanok, Senior Research Engineer Acting Head of Resilience Research Hub at RISC
References:
1. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/
2. https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/key-focus-areas/resilient-future/