Exposing World Wide Inequalities: Asia
From Glaciers to Garments,
the Continent's Impact on Climate Change
Did you know that over half the globe's population resides in Asia? Asia encompasses a wide variety of people, cultures, and opportunities. This rich tapestry of landscapes and climates has shaped the cultures, economies, and histories of the nations that call Asia home. This continent's geographical features, such as the Himalayas (the world's highest mountain range) and the fertile river valleys of the Indus, Ganges, and Yangtze, have provided sustenance and shelter to civilizations for millennia. These natural wonders have also influenced weather patterns, ocean currents, and atmospheric conditions, creating a complex and dynamic climate system sensitive to changes on both regional and global scales. Asia's climate is as diverse as its geography, with monsoons, deserts, tundras, and temperate zones coexisting. The seasonal rhythms of rain, sunshine, snow, and heat shape agricultural cycles, water availability, and livelihoods across the continent. However, this delicate balance is increasingly under threat from human-induced climate change.
BRIEF HISTORY OF ASIA
Asia has a rich and complex history spanning thousands of years, with colonization, industrialization, and the presence of indigenous tribes playing significant roles in shaping its development. From the ancient empires of China and India to the modern nations of Japan and South Korea, Asia's history is riddled with diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences. Colonization has been a continuous theme in Asia's history, with European powers such as Britain, France, and Portugal establishing colonies throughout the region in search of resources and trade routes. The impact of colonization on Asia was profound, leading to changes in political systems, economies, and social structures. Countries like India and Indonesia were under British or Dutch rule for centuries before gaining independence in the mid-20th century. Industrialization also played a crucial role in shaping Asia's history. The Industrial Revolution significantly impacted countries like Japan and China, leading to rapid urbanization and economic growth. Japan emerged as an industrial powerhouse in the late 19th century, while China struggled to modernize its economy amidst internal conflicts and foreign intervention. Throughout Asia's history, indigenous tribes have played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape. From the Maori people of New Zealand to the Ainu people of Japan, indigenous tribes have preserved their traditions and customs despite centuries of colonization and assimilation efforts. In countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, indigenous tribes continue to fight for recognition and land rights in the face of encroaching development. Despite these challenges, Asia has managed to maintain a sense of cohesion through its shared history and cultural heritage. The Silk Road connected East Asia with Europe, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between civilizations. Today, Asia remains a melting pot of languages, religions, and traditions that reflect its diverse past.
IMPACT ON THE WORLD:
gases & emissions
With that being said, it is nearly impossible to understand the relationship between climate change and Asia. Asia's diversity makes it difficult to measure how much impact the continent collectively has on the issue; however, dividing Asia into major regions can help alleviate this. The continent of Asia has five sections: South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia. Two of the largest emitters in the world come from Eastern and Southern Asia: China and India. In 2019, China accounted for 27% of the world’s emissions, putting out 10.06 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. In addition, China (along with India) consumes 75% of the world’s coal, which emits toxic gasses such as sulfur dioxide into the environment. On the topic of the environment, deforestation rates in Southeastern Asia faced an increase of 50% in the last decade, mostly as a result of logging and palm oil production. The vicious cycles of pollution that occur in Asia impact its citizens as well as the environment around them. In 2021, the World Air Quality Report stated that major urban cities in Asia, including Delhi, Beijing, and Jakarta exceed WHO’s air quality guidelines for PM pollution. Not only does this fact threaten the rest of the human population, but the ecosystem's very existence.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON ASIA:
nature & environment
Climate change is a pressing issue that impacts the environment and nature in Asia on a significant scale. With rising global temperatures, changing weather patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events, the ecosystems in Asia are facing unprecedented challenges. From melting glaciers in the Himalayas to coral bleaching in the oceans, the effects of climate change are prevalent across the continent. One of the most immediate and visible impacts of climate change in Asia is melting glaciers in the Himalayas. The Himalayan glaciers are a vital source of freshwater for millions of people in Asia, including those living in India, China, and Nepal. However, as temperatures rise, these glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. According to a report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Himalayan glaciers are melting at a rate of 1% per year, with some glaciers losing up to 40% of their mass since the 1970s. This rapid melting is already leading to increased water scarcity in the region, with potentially catastrophic consequences for those who rely on the glaciers for their water supply. In addition to the melting glaciers, climate change is also leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events in Asia. From devastating typhoons in the Philippines to intense heatwaves in India, extreme weather events are becoming more common across the continent. According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Asia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its high population density and reliance on agriculture. Extreme weather events can lead to crop failures, food shortages, and loss of livelihoods for millions of people in the region. For example, the recent heatwave in India in 2020 resulted in temperatures soaring above 50 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread crop failures. Furthermore, climate change is also having a profound impact on the oceans and marine ecosystems in Asia. Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching are all threatening the health of the oceans in the region. According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific region are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with up to 90% of reefs projected to be at risk of severe bleaching by 2050. Coral reefs are home to a diverse range of marine species and play a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of millions of people in the region through fishing and tourism. However, as ocean temperatures continue to rise, coral reefs are facing unprecedented stress, leading to widespread bleaching and death of coral.
SOCIO-ECONOMICS:
agriculture, fashion and trasportation
An analysis conducted by Science Direct reports that Asia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been higher than average since the 1980s, but is susceptible to fluctuation during times of crisis. It is safe to say that Asia is already in that state, as the agricultural, fashion, and transportation industries are all facing major consequences of climate change. Poorer countries in Asia are facing the worst economic effects as they greatly depend on agriculture and fisheries as sources of income. Declining precipitation and water are killing their harvests, thus removing a food source millions of individuals consume. Speaking of consumption, the overconsumption of the fast fashion industry in the Global North is quickly driving Asia into an employment crisis. Though many in China, Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam work under names such as H&M and SHEIN, the treatment of employees is horrific. According to a 2019 Oxfam report, 0% of Bangladeshi and 1% of Vietnamese garment workers earned a living wage. However, the constant supply and demand of fast fashion keeps these workers employed, pulling them under the poverty line for the sake of a few garments of clothing.
In the transportation industry, gas buses, cars, and trains promote air pollution around the continent. Air pollution in Asia is one of the most devastating effects of human activity, with natural and man-made emissions making the air impossible to breathe. In populous countries such as China and India, air pollution is responsible for over 4 million deaths per year. Because of this, the costs of healthcare and transportation are rising, leaving Asians helpless. With this being said, many efforts are being made to counter the effects of air pollution. The Asian Development Bank states that the implementation of electric vehicles and buses has been the most successful in lessening CO2 emissions and health risks associated with air pollution.
The dynamics between rising temperatures, natural disasters, and civilian insecurity are all intertwined in creating the environments we see nowadays. With the supply and demand mentality of the Global North towards Asia, many countries are left powerless to these situations that create disparities between human activity and the environment. While the Global North is a large reason as to why climate change in Asia is worsening, we still need to recognize Asia’s role. Populous countries like China and India contribute to worsening issues like air pollution, food and water insecurity, and the eventual uptick in natural disasters and unpredictable weather. Recognizing the relationship between Asia and climate change will help us if we see it through the multi-layered lens it holds. In the long run, it will assist us in taking action towards a more sustainable future.
Written and edited by
Sophia Hernandez & Neve Bonura Learnard
