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geostudy.doc
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Climate Change in the Asia Pacific Region
Introduction
The scientific documentary titled Human Extinction by 2030 -The Crisis of Civilization! is a
popular documentary film produced and directed by Dean Puckett. The film focuses on the
impacts of anthropogenic forces, which research scientists believe will cause the extinction of all
species in a couple of decades (Puckett). The theme of the film mainly revolves around climate
change, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Puckett demonstrates an understanding of the
global impacts that climate change will have on the society if human activities are not controlled.
The Asia Pacific region is increasingly becoming vulnerable to the effects of climate
change due to the intensified storms and rising sea levels. A new breed of migrants termed as
“climate refugees” have been created due to the displacement of people (Puckett). Climate
change threatens the existence of island states, for instance, the Maldives and low-lying countries
such as Bangladesh, where the sea level is gradually rising to cover the very land people reside
on, endangering their lives. The documentary by Puckett addresses the practical aspect of climate
change, its strengths, weaknesses, and the geographical implications it has on the entire AsiaPacific region.
Basic characteristics of climate change constitute certain aspects such as increasing
average global temperatures, changing cloud cover and precipitation, melting of the ice caps, and
declining snow cover over time. The causes of climate change are either human or nature-based.
Global warming results mainly from human factors that contribute to most of the greenhouse
gasses released into the environment. Extreme natural disasters that occur around the world
today, for instance, tropical cyclones, droughts, and floods, are said to be a direct result of
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climate change (“Climate in Asia and The Pacific” 19). The storms are as a consequence of the
excess moisture in the atmosphere that has evaporated from surface water bodies like lakes and
oceans. The natural disasters affect people in numerous adverse ways. Cyclones, for instance,
destroy human settlement areas and damage the infrastructure, comprising energy, water,
telecommunication, and transport facilities. Consequently, massive financial resources are
required to rehabilitate the entire system.
International non-governmental organizations are supporting research on the potential of
creating appropriate adaptation strategies and policies. Local communities at the grass root level
are involved in identifying potential climate change adaptation policies in the development
agenda. On small islands where relocation is not possible, alternative engineering solutions are
given to deal with the challenges that result from natural environmental calamities (“Climate in
Asia and The Pacific”18). The availability of open climatic data is essential in the countries of
the Asian Pacific region to conduct a thorough risk assessment in line with the regional
framework.
Practical Relevance, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Geographical Implications of the
Documentary
Human Extinction by 2030 -The Crisis of Civilization! displays the impact that climate change
will have on the health, safety, and livelihood of people living in the Asian Pacific region
(Puckett). The documentary explicitly demonstrates how the concept of global warming will
create future barriers in reducing poverty levels and socioeconomic standards achieved by the
countries in the area. Notably, an upsurge has been recorded in the intensity and frequency of
natural hazards such as tropical cyclones, dry spells, snow avalanches, intense rainfall, heat
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waves, severe dust storms, and thunderstorms, which have caused insurmountable losses to the
affected communities.
It is highly alarming that most of the deaths in the world result from natural disasters in
the Asia-Pacific region. The issue of climate change and variability threaten the poor farmers and
marginalized communities living in remote areas, such as dry lands, mountains, and deserts
(“Climate Change Impacts” 1). Such regions have poor infrastructural systems, limited natural
resources, and weak institutions, which cannot withstand the impacts that arise as a result of
Mother Nature fighting back the human activities that have led to increased global warming.
Researchers have devised various climate models that predict the rise in temperature in
the coming decades globally. In the Asia Pacific region, the temperatures are said to rapidly
increase in the arid areas of Pakistan, China, and India (“Climate Change Impacts” 2). The
rainfall concentration indicates patterns of irregularity, with more rainfall during the summer
monsoon season. Scientists believe that the global sea level will increase regionally, causing
tropical cyclones and changes in weather cycles. All the stated climatic changes are estimated to
affect millions of people by causing hunger, diseases, and loss of livelihoods.
The topic of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region is becoming emergent in the
national forums as leaders try to find a way forward to deal with the issue effectively. The region
is susceptible to the consequences of global warming due to exposure to monsoons, cyclones,
and the El Nino southern oscillation (“Climate Change Impacts” 3). The region relies mostly on
the monsoon for rainfall to practice agriculture, leaving it helpless when the monsoons do not
occur. Furthermore, the countries in the region experience storm surges, high winds, and extreme
rainfall patterns, all of which may change with the increasing anthropogenic patterns degrading
the natural environment.
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The sensitivity of various nations and sectors has further increased the vulnerability of the
Asia Pacific region to the hazards that result from global warming. The developing countries
face potential risks since most of their economic power lies in agricultural production, which, in
turn, directly relies on water accessibility to thrive (“Climate Change Impacts” 2). Moreover, the
access to safe drinking water is compromised by the diminishing water resources, ultimately
affecting the sanitation standards. When floods and drought occur, it becomes difficult to
manage the water storage diversion due to the inadequate facilities.
Factors such as urbanization and economic development have increased the rapid
exploitation and degradation of natural resources, reducing the resilience of nations in the region
to combat climate change. Some national economies, such as India and China, have enhanced
their capacities to manage the climatic risks by improving their economy, infrastructure,
technological development, and managerial conditions (“Climate Change Impacts” 2). On the
other hand, other countries, including the small island states, have not adopted any changes,
owing to the limited resources available and their focus on the short-term developmental
projects.
The sustainable economic growth of most countries in the Asia Pacific region will be
affected negatively by the looming climate change crisis. The costs of managing water resources,
coastlines, disease outbreaks, and the loss of agricultural revenue will have a ripple effect on the
economy of the region. The long-term impacts have a declining effect on the welfare and
regional capacity to manage the risk effectively. Expectedly, the insurance claims placed on the
global economic damage from adverse impacts of climate change amount to billions of dollars
every year (“Climate Change Impacts” 3).
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Global warming affects many sectors, each having its distinctiveness. The sectors include
ecosystems, agriculture, water, ecosystems, and coastal zones.
Agriculture. The rural areas depend on agriculture as the key source of their livelihood. The
sector heavily relies on weather attributes, such as rainfall and temperature, to produce
considerable yields. In many parts of Asia, the production of wheat, maize, and rice has declined
as a result of water stress due to fluctuations in temperature and El Nino occurrences (“Climate
Change Impacts” 3). The climate change impacts are said to significantly influence the food
security in the region because of its reliance on the the production of seasonal crops.
Water. The rapidly growing population in the region necessitates proper planning to ensure a
secure supply of water resources. Climate change has modified the availability of water
resources in parts of South and Southeast Asia and has led to an increased supply of runoff water
in the Pacific islands. The temperature increase has occasioned glacier melting at the Himalayas
Mountains, resulting in the region becoming more prone to floods and rock avalanches (“Climate
Change Impacts” 5). If the glaciers continue to recede, the level of freshwater availability in
most areas of the Asian-Pacific will reduce as well.
Ecosystems. The ecosystems in the Asian Pacific region contain some of the most unique and
endangered species on earth. The environmental components contribute directly to the
economies of the area through the provision of water and food resources that sustain the
requirements of the people. However, the pressure of human activities and land use changes are
threatening the existence of the natural ecosystems by reducing their resilience capacities
(“Climate Change Impacts” 4). The disappearance and extinction of coral reef communities,
mangrove wetlands, and forests can be attributed to climate change.
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Temperature variations lead to coral and mangrove sensitivity, particularly in the
Pacific islands, which have the largest collection of coral communities globally. Failure to
correct the situation will destroy the coral and mangrove forests. Consequently, their benefits,
such as fisheries production, beach defense, and tourist attraction will not be felt any longer.
Additionally, the low precipitation rates in the delta areas of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
have led to degradation of ecosystems and wetlands exsiccation, posing a serious threat to the
natural ecosystem (“Climate Change Impacts” 4). As a solution, embracing efficient land
administration would facilitate better conservation techniques of the ecosystem to preserve the
resources for future sustainability purposes.
Coastal Zones. The coastal areas of South East Asia, including Kolkata, Bangkok, Manila, and
Hoh Chi Minh cities, are prone to flooding. The projected rise in the sea levels is said to affect
the geology, population growth, and geography of the coastal zones (“Climate Change Impacts”
3). Those at significant risk are the poor populace living in the lowlands of China, Vietnam,
Bangladesh, and India, who might be displaced following a sea-level rise.
Conclusion
Climate change effects are projected to lead to instabilities in ecosystems, insufficient natural
resources, forced human migration, and global sea level rise in the Asia Pacific region. The
implications of changing climatic patterns have had diverse effects on the ecosystem, coastal
areas, agriculture productivity, and water sectors. In order to mitigate the threat, the societies and
policy makers are devising creative concepts and ideas on how to properly adapt and prevent the
challenges associated with the increasing climate change. However, the measures seem to fail in
tackling the actual factors that cause climate change. Therefore, unless governments unite to find
a lasting solution, the world will continue to face severe consequences.
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Works Cited
“Climate Change Impacts in the Asia/Pacific Region.” IFAD,
www.ifad.org/documents/10180/88baa1cf-4661-4077-9292-84dfff5253f0. Accessed
March 19, 2017.
“Climate In Asia and The Pacific: A Synthesis of APN Activities Asia-Pacific Network for
GlobalChangeResearch.” APN, 2011, www.apngcr.org/resources/files/original/24c137e4d955df5a8c7bd8a83d1bb5ae.pdf. Accessed
March 19, 2017.
Puckett, Dean. “Human Extinction by 2030 -The Crisis of Civilization!” YouTube, uploaded by
Thomas Walker, January 19, 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vApEgrLf7S4.
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