Southeast Asia is heavily influenced by the greenhouse effect

From now until the end of the century, Southeast Asia's food production may decrease by 6.7% annually by climate change. This situation seriously hampers the efforts of regional countries in economic development and poverty reduction.

The rice production of Vietnam and Thailand may be reduced by 50% between now and 2100 due to water shortage.Photo: allgreen.com.

A study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) shows that the four most vulnerable countries include: Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. A large proportion of Indonesia and the Philippines live along the coast, so these two countries will have to pay attention to rising sea levels. From now until the end of the century, rice production in Thailand and Vietnam can be reduced by up to 50% due to water shortage.

"Developing countries are not ready to cope with climate change. From now until the end of the century, global warming can take away an amount of material equivalent to 2.6% of the gross domestic product. the whole region every year, " said Tae Yong Jung, an ADB economist.

According to the ADB report, if the greenhouse effect is not suppressed, climate temperatures in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam will increase by an average of 4.8 degrees Celsius compared to 1990. Rainfall in these countries will reduce the occurrence of droughts and forest fires more often. In addition, the number of tropical storms and floods (due to rising sea levels) also increased, leaving tens of millions of people at risk of losing their homes and destroying 2,500 square kilometers of mangrove forests.

Experts say the economic losses of the four countries between now and 2100 will be 2.2% of gross domestic product. If the loss of health and biodiversity is included, the damage increases to 5.7%. These numbers far surpassed the predictions of the scientific world.

A UN-sponsored international conference will take place in Copenhagen (Denmark) in December this year. The goal of the conference is to come up with a new agreement on controlling carbon emissions. This agreement will replace the Kyoto Protocol (signed in 1998 and will expire in 2012).

ADB believes that Southeast Asian countries must demonstrate their active role in the conference in Copenhagen. According to the report, governments should invest their money in forest planting, management and protection programs. In addition, forest protection, upgrading irrigation systems, building early warning systems should also be noted. These efforts can cost up to $ 5 billion per year but their benefits will far exceed costs after 2050.

The report also asserts that 40% of carbon emissions will be reduced between now and 2020 if countries invest more in energy efficiency, use gas-efficient cars and upgrade their vehicles. Public transport. Emissions will also be reduced by another 40% if we use natural gas, solar cells and wind to produce electricity instead of coal. For Southeast Asia, a measure to curb the pace of climate change is to protect existing tropical forests. Deforestation increases 75% of the emissions of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.