It is clear that climate change will not affect all parts of the world equally. There are regions that are more vulnerable than others, and these include the countries most affected by climate change, which are already suffering serious consequences. These nations, due to their location and climatic characteristics, are much more sensitive to the effects of global warming.
In this article we will delve into which countries are most affected by climate change, the impacts that this phenomenon is having on them, and the measures that are being taken to mitigate the consequences.
The 10 countries most affected by climate change
An Oxfam report revealed that the 10 countries most affected by climate change have experienced an alarming 123% increase in severe hunger in the last six yearsThese nations, which are frequently subject to extreme weather events, have been the targets of most of the United Nations' climate-related emergency requests.
According to Gabriela Bucher, Executive Director of Oxfam International, climate change is no longer a long-term forecast; it is happening now and has triggered devastating weather events such as droughts, cyclones and floodsOver the past 50 years, these phenomena have become up to five times more frequent and dangerous.
The report "Hunger and global warming» identifies 10 particularly vulnerable regions: Somalia, Haiti, Djibouti, Kenya, Niger, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Madagascar, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe. In these countries, more than 48 million people suffer from severe hunger, double the number recorded in 2016. In addition, some 18 million people are on the brink of famine.
These extreme weather events overwhelm the capacities of impoverished communities, exacerbating existing inequality and conflict. Below we analyse some specific cases.
Cases of hunger in the countries most affected by climate change
La drought in Somalia The worst ever recorded in the country's history. It is estimated that famine could occur at any time in the districts of Baidoa and Burhakaba. This climate tragedy has led to the displacement of more than one million people. Somalia, one of the countries least prepared to deal with climate change, is ranked 172 out of 182 on the climate vulnerability index.
En KenyaThe drought has severely affected the agricultural economy. Approximately 2,5 million heads of livestock have been lost, and another 2,4 million people, including hundreds of thousands of children, face severe hunger.
En Niger, the picture is equally worrying. Agricultural production has fallen by 40% due to the combination of extreme weather events and armed conflicts. Currently, an estimated 2,6 million people suffer from severe malnutrition, which represents an increase of 767% compared to 2016.
En Burkina Faso, hunger has increased by 1.350% since 2016Conflict and desertification have made agriculture impossible, and if global warming exceeds 2°C, millet and sorghum crops are expected to decline by up to 25%.
En Guatemala, drought has devastated 80% of corn crops and ruined coffee plantations, bringing communities such as the Dry Corridor to the brink of economic collapse.
Global inequality
One of the biggest problems arising from the climate crisis is the injustice of its effects. countries that contribute the least to climate change They are, paradoxically, the ones that suffer the most from its consequences. The 10 most vulnerable regions produce less than 0,13% of global carbon emissions, while the G20 countries, which represent 80% of the world economy, are responsible for XNUMX% of the total. 75% of emissions.
Despite their responsibility, rich nations not only emit more but are also better prepared to withstand climate change. In contrast, developing countries do not have the resources to cope with natural disasters and their economies are severely affected. Inequality is further aggravated by the support that polluting nations give to companies that, in many cases, finance their political campaigns.
A dramatic example is that large hydrocarbon companies have generated, on average, $2.800 billion a day over the past 50 yearsThe profits accumulated over 18 days by these companies could finance the humanitarian needs for 2022 proposed by the United Nations, which require 49.000 billion dollars.
Solutions to the problem
It is crucial that the most polluting nations meet their emissions reduction commitments. At key meetings such as the United Nations General Assembly and COP27, the need to implement measures such as the compensation for loss and damage and financial support to the most vulnerable countries for their adaptation to climate change.
Experts also advocate higher taxes on major polluters. If fossil fuel companies donated just 1% of their annual profits, this would generate around $10.000 billion, which could cover much of the shortfall in the UN's global food security appeal.
Climate change is a phenomenon that affects the world unequally. While the poorest countries suffer the harshest consequences, the countries responsible for the majority of emissions have an ethical responsibility to take action and offer effective solutions, not only as an act of charity, but as a moral imperative.