Dire challenges lie not far ahead for Southeast Asia — some are already here
Southeast Asia is utterly unique, utterly beautiful, and utterly precious. It is also one of the most vulnerable regions on the planet. Climate change is an existential threat to all of Southeast Asia, on top of our politics and economics. Our heavily populated coastlines and large agricultural sectors face immense pressures in the coming years. We are losing our diverse ways of living.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development has predicted that agriculture and natural resource management in Southeast Asia will be seriously affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. Climate extremes such as floods, droughts and cyclones will impact irrigation systems, crop yields, soil health, biodiverse ecosystems, and water resources.
For the large number of Southeast Asians struggling economically today, these pressures turn quickly into full-blown existential crises. Food systems collapse directly affects all 655 million people in the region. Extreme weather events and rising sea levels will affect all of us to varying degrees. Our exposure to extremes is exacerbated by the equatorial Pacific Ocean’s climate cycle, El Niño and La Niña. Soon, many of us will be forced to relocate or migrate. For some, it’s as simple as using the air-conditioning more often. For many others, it’s life and death.
