Globally temperature could increase by 2-3 degree Celsius.
By Sreekanth A Nair
Without efforts to tackle climate change and reduce poverty, 100 million additional people may become poor by 2030, says a report published by the World Bank group.
The report named ‘Shock Waves: Managing the Impacts of Climate Change on Poverty’ suggests that “Poor people and poor countries are exposed and vulnerable to all types of climate-related shocks—natural disasters that destroy assets and livelihoods; waterborne diseases and pests that become more prevalent during heat waves, floods, or droughts; crop failure from reduced rainfall; and spikes in food prices that follow extreme weather events”.
Agriculture and health are two important factors that influence poverty because of climate change. Due to climate change, crop yield losses could reach 5% in 2030 and as large as 30% in 2080. This will lead to a rise in food prices and poor people will have to spend more.
Globally temperature could increase by 2-3 degree Celsius. This may put 5% of people at risk of malaria and 10% at risk of diarrhea by 2030. It is calculated that 85% people live in countries where poor people are more exposed to drought than the average. Also more poor people live in countries where food production is expected to reduce due to the climate change.
In India, poverty may increase by 2-6%, says the report.
To fix the problems, the report suggests measures such as scaling up social protection, universal health coverage, early warning systems and climate resistant crops.
According to the report, rapid, inclusive, climate-informed development can prevent most climate change impacts on poverty. Emission reduction policies are required to remove the long-term threat from climate change.
It states that additional $1 trillion is necessary each year to meet the goals.
“This report sends a clear message that ending poverty will not be possible unless we take strong action to reduce the threat of climate change on poor people and dramatically reduce harmful emissions,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.
“Climate change hits the poorest the hardest, and our challenge now is to protect tens of millions of people from falling into extreme poverty because of a changing climate,” he added.
The report is considered important as it was released ahead of COP21. The global climate change conference will take place in Paris from November 30 to December 11. More than 190 countries are expected to ink a legally binding agreement that aim at preventing global temperature from rising more than 2 degree Celsius.