A Billion People Facing High Exposure to Climate Change Effects, Finds Global Peace Index

These are the facts that we need to know — and especially those of us here in America, where we are the largest contributor to the planetary crisis. We have also tragically led the world in doubt, denial, disregard, and dismissal of human caused climate disruption and the Earth Crisis and coupled with the urgency of the need to act. In sharing about this crisis again and again, I am both integrating the enormity of this reality and I am hoping to spread courage — the courage to be in the world with our eyes, minds, hearts, and souls open, which is a prerequisite to discerning what is our part in the vital actions needed to transform our trajectory from one of death and destruction to one which holds life with reverence. — Molly

By Countercurrents Team

Nearly a billion people are facing climate change hazards globally, with the Asia-Pacific region housing twice as many people living in areas with high exposure than all other regions combined, says the new annual Global Peace Index (GPI) released on Wednesday by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Another new study finds: Intensifying climate change is estimated to increase future risks of conflict.

The key points of the GPI report include:

• Climate risks in Australia include cyclones, rising sea levels, drought and desertification
• Global peace and the economic impact of violence improved for the first time in five years
• Despite some improvements, South Asia still has the second lowest GPI rank

The GPI said an estimated 971 million people — including more than 2.4 million Australians — live in areas with high or very high exposure to climate hazards including cyclones, floods, bushfires, desertification and rising sea levels. Of this number – 971 million – 400 million (41 per cent) reside in countries which already have low levels of peacefulness.

The top 9

The top nine countries facing the highest risk of climate hazards were all Asian nations with the Philippines topping the list, followed by Japan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China.

Many of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region also have weaker coping capacities for natural disasters.

The Pacific Islands

The Pacific Islands are going to be massively impacted by rising sea levels. These countries would be the first affected because of their proximity to the equator.

Australia

In Australia, the main risks come from hurricanes and cyclones in the north, rising sea levels in the south and east, as well as drought and desertification, which is already affecting thousands of farmers.

Exacerbated conflict and migration

The report ranks 163 countries by measuring internal safety and security, militarization and ongoing conflict, which included climate change risks for the first time this year to evaluate links between climate hazards and violence.

It found climate pressures could adversely impact resource availability and affect population dynamics, which can impact socioeconomic and political stability.

The large flows of refugees due to climate crisis can increase instability and the impact of terrorism on host nations.

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