World Bank reports 1.2 billion people at risk due to climate change

A staggering 1.2 billion people across the globe are now at high risk of life-changing threats due to climate change, according to the latest World Bank report. In its findings, the World Bank highlighted that climate hazards, including heatwaves, floods, hurricanes, and droughts, disproportionately affect the world’s poorest communities, which are least equipped to handle these devastating changes. The report, titled Rising to the Challenge: Success Stories and Strategies for Achieving Climate Adaptation and Resilience, underlines the growing urgency for sustainable economic growth and targeted adaptation efforts to lessen the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Economic Growth as a Shield Against Climate Risks

The World Bank’s analysis revealed that economic growth can be a vital part of building resilience to climate shocks. Raising per capita GDP by just 10 percent could reduce the number of people most vulnerable to climate hazards by an estimated 100 million. While a strong economy forms the foundation of resilience, World Bank senior managing director Axel van Trotsenburg emphasized that economic growth alone is insufficient. “Improving income is important,” the report states, “but countries also need to enact climate-informed policies to build people’s resilience.”

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As the report suggests, higher-income countries should focus on upgrading and reinforcing existing infrastructure to withstand climate events, whereas lower-income countries, still developing infrastructure, have a unique opportunity to build sustainable systems from the outset. This strategic planning could help mitigate some of the long-term damages from climate change.

World Bank’s Increased Efforts on Climate Preparedness

Recognizing the urgent need for action, the World Bank has doubled its efforts in several critical sectors, including food and agriculture, water, ecosystems, biodiversity, infrastructure, social safety nets, poverty eradication, and livelihoods. Their climate action initiatives now include the establishment of early warning systems, expanded access to insurance, and the development of rapid-response healthcare systems to better equip communities facing climate hazards. The World Bank has also introduced a new Corporate Scorecard to measure its progress on these interventions, ensuring accountability and tracking its impact on global poverty alleviation and sustainable prosperity.

Success Stories in Climate Adaptation

The World Bank report also showcases notable examples of effective climate adaptation strategies that have saved lives and boosted resilience in various communities worldwide:

• India’s Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan: An innovative plan combining early warning systems, public health campaigns, and healthcare worker mobilization has prevented over 2,000 heat-related deaths in just its first two years.
• Niger’s Adaptive Social Protection System: Designed to address the challenges of drought, this system provided cash to affected families, improving their food security by 8 percent and increasing overall well-being by 18 percent.
• Bangladesh’s Cyclone and Storm Preparedness: Improved weather forecasting has allowed Bangladeshi farmers to incorporate weather data into their daily routines, reducing crop losses from severe storms by 75 percent.
• Resilient Infrastructure in Brazil and Albania: Private utility companies in these regions are investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, using nature-based solutions to secure electricity services in the face of extreme weather events.

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The World Bank emphasizes that while all nations face climate risks, the world’s poorest countries bear the greatest burdens. The report calls for wealthier nations to support low-income countries through financing and technology transfers to build sustainable infrastructure and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. The World Bank’s commitment to these issues is clear; through its Country Climate and Development Reports, now encompassing over 60 nations, it aids countries in identifying risks and crafting strategies to safeguard critical development gains.

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