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 mega- cities from mega-stress in the future.
