Ever since Al Gore chose to call it an “inconvenient truth”, global warming has become a buzzword in newsrooms and classrooms alike. While some may choose to call the matter a hoax or conspiracy, the scientific community has been unequivocal in its stance that human activities have adverse affects on the environment. So what is global warming? Wikipedia tells us:
“Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation.”
Studies have shown that the Earth’s average temperature is projected to rise by 4 degrees Celsius while the mean sea level is also set to rise by about 0.5 metres. Such drastic changes are cause primarily by four agents:
• Greenhouse gases
• Deforestation
• Ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide
• Loss of sea ice
Climate Risk Index is a figure that expresses the extent to which countries are affected by changes in climate. Only four developed countries figure in the top 20 worst affected countries. Poorer, developing nations are hit much harder by the phenomenon. Here’s a look at some of the countries that are worst hit by global warming.
1. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is subject many of the effects of climate change due to its geographical location, hydrological regulation from monsoon rains and regional water aggregation patterns. The country receives too much rain during the monsoons and too little water in the dry season. This situation will be exacerbated by a warmer climate, resulting in increased flooding and droughts which threaten to adversely affect agricultural output. What worsens the situation is the fact that the sea level is rising from the south and the increase in reception of water from Himalayan glaciers will cause an inundation of the regions located in the base of the mountains.
Projections indicate that sea level rise will cause heavy flooding in certain areas of the country. A rise of 45 cm in the sea level will likely result in the inundation of about 10 percent of the country. For sea level rise of 1m, 21 percent of the country will go under saltwater (IPCC, 2005). Such a rise is likely to inundate coastal wetlands and lowlands, cause an increase in coastal erosion, increase frequent and severe floods and create agriculture related issues.
2. Sudan
The competition for natural resources, increasingly lacking due to global warming, is looked at as the trigger of the conflict in western Sudan. The UNEP has noted that Sudan, along with other countries in the belt, has suffered several long and devastating droughts in the past few decades. The most severe one lasting 5 years, from 1980-1984. It was accompanied by severe famine and displacement of locals.
The UNEP report also mentions the erosion of natural resources caused by climactic variations as among the root causes of internal strife in the country.
3. Siberia
Siberian environment seems to be transforming due to global warming. Evidence shows that carbon cycles are displaying rapid change, with potentially grave consequences for the region’s flora and fauna. Descriptions of energy and water cycles, changes in surface reflectance due to snow, ice and vegetation coverage are indices that dictate the regions susceptibility to climate change. The area is perfect to study the effects of climate warming, as the forest-permafrost relationship is subject to abnormal variations in temperature and precipitation.
4. Australia
Australian drought are now directly liked with global warming in the region. Record high temperatures are increasing evaporation, damaging greenery and causing a fall in the water levels in agricultural basins. Prolonged high temperature periods are equally hazardous to plants and human life. An average of 1,100 people lose their life to climate related irregularities and this number stands to increase.
Australia’s Great barrier reef, a wonder of the natural world and the only living thing visible from space, has already experienced massive bleaching. It is a hugely popular tourist destination, visited by thousands every year. The warming of water is not only affecting Australia’s wildlife but also its economy.
5. Myanmar
In Myanmar the problem of environmental changes is compounded by the fact that the polity has been mired in turmoil and this has resulted in environmental considerations being placed on the back-burner or not being taken up at all. Climatic changes from the cold to warmer seasons led to the rise in temperature and caused the spread of water borne diseases . The change in weather leads to the growth of parasites in the water which impairs the natural processes in marine conditions. Fish seem to be dying due to a lack of oxygen and the proliferation of parasitic organisms.
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