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Climate-proofing Southeast Asia
Climate change-induced impacts are not limited to heavy downpours; we have to expect heat waves, prolonged drought, and coastal flooding due to rising sea levels as climate change intensifies.
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Climate impact – A farmer takes a look at the condition of soil in his paddy field, which goes dry due to a long drought, in Cot Trieng village, Muara Satu, Lhokseumawe, Aceh, on Oct.16.
(Antara/Rahmad)
E
arly this year, heavy downpours in what historically have been drier months flooded towns in the south of Thailand and on the border with Malaysia.
Heavy rainfall also inundated a northern city on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
If governments in Southeast Asian localities do not start acting now, many vulnerable populations in the region will continue to endure significant impacts of weird weather events.
Climate change-induced impacts are not limited to heavy downpours; we have to expect heat waves, prolonged drought, and coastal flooding due to rising sea levels as climate change intensifies.
While national-level preparations and rescue are vital, Southeast Asia needs its local governments to place a premium on innovation ensuring that the burden of climate-related impacts is minimized.
Local climate resiliency must be high on the agendas of every local government.
Every village, municipality, city, and provincial government should therefore be equipped with institutional capacity for effective and efficient response.
