In Asia Pacific the climate crisis is happening now, not in the future
By Helen Regan
The world's most disaster-prone region felt the harsh reality of the climate crisis in 2019.
Toxic smog shrouded Asian megacities, hundreds died in flooding and landslides, cyclones battered coastlines and bushfires, droughts and deadly heatwaves led to towns and cities almost running out of water.
[...]
But while many people in developed countries see the climate crisis as an urgent but future problem, for millions living in Asia-Pacific, it's already touching every part of life.
Those on the front lines say words must now translate into tangible change as the world heads into a new decade.
[...]
While wealthier cities like Hong Kong can afford to disaster-proof -- to an extent. At the other end of the scale, poverty-stricken populations are living in some of the most environmentally precarious places on Earth, where extreme weather events could prove disastrous for lives, food production, water sources, economies and infrastructure.
[...]
Adapting to rising sea levels will be a key challenge for Asia-Pacific, according to the UN Development Program. Measures include defending coastlines and infrastructure, restoring mangroves, and identifying areas at risk from flooding.
[...]