Climate Change Vulnerability Index

CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY INDEX

by Antonio C. Antonio

December 2, 2014

Define irony?  Irony is when countries most affected by the dire phenomenon called “climate change” are the countries that do not have anything to do with causing it or, at least, have insignificant contribution to climate change.  Largely to blame for climate change are the rich and economically advanced countries.

The Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) for 2014 indicates that the following countries are in the “extreme risk” tier: (1) Bangladesh; (2) Cambodia; (3) Democratic Republic of Congo; (4) Ethiopia; (5) Guinea-Bissau; (6) Haiti; (7) Nigeria; (8) Philippines; (9) Sierra Leone; and, (10) South Sudan.  As if bad news always come in tandem... there also a parallel study conducted that show that six of the world’s fastest growing cities are at extreme risk to climate change impacts.  These cities are: (a) Calcutta in India; (b) Manila in the Philippines; (c) Jakarta in Indonesia; (d) Dhaka and (e) Chittagong in Bangladesh; and, (f) Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

While the more developed and rich countries in the northern hemisphere are least exposed to climate change risks, a third of humanity, mostly in Africa and Southeast Asia, are faced with the biggest risks.  The Maplecroft report says that these countries have high population growth rates. (Maplecroft is a British risk analysis firm.)

The Philippines is again part of a list of countries with dire environmental problems.  It is our collective hope, wish and prayer that we be taken out of such lists like the one generated by the Climate Change Vulnerability Index.

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders and Landscape Ecology UPOU on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/.)