In the 21st century, the developing countries are being affected the most by climate change. It’s harder for them to recover from a natural disaster than it is for developed or richer countries. Third world countries lack the resources and finances to assist with this recovery. Also, something as simple as the transfer of knowledge could have a very positive impact on the preparedness for disasters and for impacts from climate change. The planet’s ozone layer functions as a shield from the sun’s harmful rays. Exposure to these rays are extremely hazardous to the skin and can play a significant role of developing skin cancer. More CO2 emissions come from industrialized countries and this increases greenhouse gases which in turn affects the ozone layer. A depleted ozone layer goes hand in hand with global warming. Global warming is a major issue we face today and as a result the earth experiences extreme weather such as hotter summers and colder winters.
With attention to the earth’s increasing temperature, this brings an increase in the frequency of the tropical storms. The Max Planck Institute states that “Tropical cyclones form over oceans with surface temperatures above 26°C.” In recent reports there was a tropical cyclone that hit Mozambique and other nations from Southern Africa. Killing more than 98 people and causing immense damage. Some of the cities were undergoing preventative construction to prevent such as drainage to lessen flooding the Tropical Cyclone Idai’s destruction path, reversed all the construction doing way more harm. There were aerial footages which illustrates rooftops of buildings missing, an helicopter having to pull people down from trees. It’s a shame how countries with the resources can’t extend more assistance in the restoration of this place. No one can escape from a natural disaster especially the lesser fortunate countries (most places outside the U.S.)
These tropical storms not only damage the infrastructure of the little cities whose building owners barely follow the proper building code, storms also impacts their main source of income. Farming usually brings in the money for these developing nations. Without adequate recovery time after these storms and cyclones make their destructive visits, destroying whatever natural resources that may have been their only means of survival as the Mercy Corps article states. This being just the tip of the iceberg to the problems that climate change is causing the developing countries.
As the earth gets hotter, so does the acceleration of the spread of insect borne diseases like malaria, zika, dengue etc. The Citizens Climate Lobby states that “Warmer temperatures tend to make mosquitoes get infected faster and be more infectious”. As we all know disease transferring insects thrive in warm weather. Think about enjoying nature on a typical summer evening outside, but instead, a harmless insect bite is also there, spreading deadly viruses. Scary isn’t it? Places like Africa are where most of its population does not have the resources for something as simple as mosquito repellant. Mosquito repellant can be of great use and can potentially reduce the death toll drastically.
Above all I believe most of these things can be resolved if people offered to transfer their knowledge, giving people necessary information that may help them save a life or two. Having countries help provide enough resources so other, less fortunate countries don’t have to endure such drastic situations, the world can function much better. Along with the preparedness, poorer countries would be better able to recover much quicker from climate change caused disasters.
Works cited
Is the Number of Tropical Storms Increasing?, www.mpimet.mpg.de/en/communication/climate-faq/is-the-number-of-tropical-storms-increasing/.
Bariyo, Nicholas, and Gabriele Steinhauser. “Cyclone Shows Climate Change’s Deadly Impact on Poor, Urbanizing Nations.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 19 Mar. 2019, www.wsj.com/articles/cyclone-shows-climate-changes-deadly-impact-on-poor-urbanizing-nations-11553025619.
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/global-warming-spreading-insect-borne-diseases/
https://www.mercycorps.org/articles/climate-change-affects-poverty
2 Responses
The effects of climate change on developing countries could be reduced if they receive help from developed countries. It is obvious to think so because rich countries have more human resources and qualified people. Because of their economic situation, researches and studies Developed countries can easily compile information, knowledge and develop useful technology. As a result, they can help poor countries to be ready and to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Moreover, it is necessary to point out that developed countries have the obligation to adopt policies that include poor countries because climate change is not an isolated phenomenon. It is global. The whole planet is subject to be impacted by climate change. By helping developing countries, richer countries are protecting themselves from natural the impacts from disasters because each disaster acts as part of a domino sequence and could eventually cause the extinction of all life on Earth.
This essay has interested me because I am from the Caribbean, one of the regions most affected by climate change. While reading this essay, a question comes to my mind. I wonder why developed countries that have experienced the industrial revolution and use tremendous amounts of fossil fuels that has contributed to climate change, have not come out and helped these poor counties suffering from the impacts of climate change. If developed countries would help poor countries, it would be a kind of “social Justice” to these countries. Developing countries are the most affected by climate change while they are the least contributors of greenhouse gases.
On the other hand, while helping these poor countries, developed counties should work to mitigate their harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. They should implement a reliable system that would help reduce the per-capita emissions. Globally, something has to be done in order to protect and save the future generations. Acknowledging the importance and responsibility to climate change on a global level would be a good step towards the future.