13 May 2021
Introduction
A private firm Verisk Maplecroft has found that the Asian cities face the greatest risk from environmental issues. This includes natural disasters and air pollution.
Highlights of the report
- Of the hundred most vulnerable cities, ninety-nine are located in Asia.
- Of the 100, around thirty-seven are in China and forty three are in India. China and India are the first and third largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world.
- Around 1.5 billion people spread out in 414 cities of the world are living in high risks of water shortage, pollution, natural hazards, extreme heat and other physical impacts of climate change.
- India is home to thirteen of the top twenty riskiest cities. This was mainly due to air and water pollution.
- Jakarta topped the list and was the riskiest city in the world.
- The flood prone cities of China namely Dongguan and Guangzhou topped the list of cities that are facing threats from natural hazards. They were followed by Osaka and Tokyo of Japan. The Japanese cities are vulnerable to typhoons and earthquakes.
- Lima is the only city outside Asia to enter in top hundred riskiest cities in the world.
Glasgow was ranked as the safest city.
About the report
Around 576 cities in different parts of the world were scored based on the following factors:
- Water Quality
- Heat Stress
- Vulnerability to Climate Change
- Water Scarcity
- Economies and infrastructure to natural hazards such as tsunamis, earthquakes and landslides
Why are Asian cities prone to pollution?
According to the report Asia is the most densely populated region in the world. This puts pressure on water sources. The air in the region is polluted due to burning of coal and biomass fuels. There are many geographical reasons which precipitate natural hazards. Hence greater risk of environmental issues in Asian cities.