S-E Asia among regions hardest hit, must prioritise adaptation: Report

Commenting on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report showing South-east Asia among the regions of the world hardest hit by climate change, SMU Associate Professor of Science, Technology and Society Winston Chow, one of the authors involved in the IPCC report, said ASEAN has already been exposed to many climate change-related impacts, such as floods, droughts, urban heat as well as habitat and biodiversity losses. He explained how the current impacts will worsen in the future, especially when global surface temperatures exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold. Assoc Prof Chow also explained how adaptation is essential to minimise future loss and damages from climate risks.