The UN reports countries in the Asia-Pacific region need to increase their investment in disaster warning systems and other tools to counter the increasing risks from climate change.
The Economic and Social Commission of Asia Pacific (ESCAP) report says that nearly $145 billion is needed to set up systems to minimize death and damage from earthquakes, droughts, floods and other disasters.
Artificial intelligence, remote sensing, satellites and other technologies can help inform the public during emergencies, but telecommunication systems must be strengthened to ensure that vulnerable communities are informed.
The United Nations has set a goal of having every person on Earth covered by an early warning system by 2027. However, half of all countries do not have such a system and even fewer have systems related to emergency planning.
Countries that already have early warning systems in place such as Bangladesh and India, faced with a severe threat from tropical storms, could save thousands of lives and drastically reduce damage by giving people enough time to escape and save their belongings. Meanwhile, countries that do not have early warning coverage have eight times higher death rates from disasters.
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According to the ESCAP report, the Asia-Pacific region experienced 140 major natural disasters that killed 7,300 people and affected 62 million people in 2022. Far more people will be at risk and the number will increase as climate change triggers more floods, droughts, dangerous heat waves, and other extreme weather. Thus, countries are urged to do more to reduce the impact of climate change.
Source: AP News
