Asia, Region Most Affected by Disasters Related to Climate Change

While Europe is the world’s region with the fastest warming climate, Asia is different in that it suffers the most from natural disasters related to climate change.

This is stated in the annual report of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which highlights that there were 79 natural disasters in 2023, affecting 9 million people and resulting in tragic loss of 2000 lives and severe economic damage.

“Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and severity of these phenomena, with profound impacts on societies, economies, and primarily people’s lives and the environment we live in,” explained Celeste Saulo, WMO Director. “It is important that our actions and strategies reflect the urgency of this moment,” which means accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and being able to adapt to and prevent climate change, for example through more efficient and timely weather services.

Siberia, China, and Japan are the regions most affected by extreme events. While floods cause the most serious damage to property and people, Japan experienced its hottest year on record, and China suffered a prolonged drought in the southwestern sector. Meanwhile, Himalayan glaciers are retreating at an increasingly rapid rate and could lose 80% of their multi-year ice by 2100. And the Pacific Ocean is “boiling,” with surface temperatures in 2023 being the highest ever recorded and sea levels are rising steadily, threatening coastal cities and some island countries.