Climate change in Thailand
Climate change impacts Thailand's society and economy in numerous ways.
Since the 20th century, climate change has caused temperatures in Thailand to increase. Thailand is considered
is considered a major problem due to climate change within the country.As a signatory to the 2015
Temperature change
Researchers have found that temperatures have increased in Thailand over the past half-century, though there is some variability in their assessments. Thailand's Department of Meteorology reported that the annual mean temperature in Thailand rose by one degree Celsius from 1981 to 2007.[1]: 231 Another study found that average annual temperatures in Thailand increased by 0.95 °C between 1955 and 2009, more than the average world temperature increase of 0.69 °C. The annual highest temperature has increased by 0.86 °C and the annual lowest temperature has decreased by 1.45 °C over the past 55 years.
From 1993 to 2008, the sea level in the Gulf of Thailand has risen 3–5 mm per year, compared to the global average of 1.7 mm per year.[2] Danny Marks, professor and climate consultant for the Rockefeller Foundation, has warned that "Climate change is set to drastically affect the world, and Thailand will likely be one of the most affected countries given its geography, economy, and level of development."[1]: 231
Rising sea level
Rising sea levels, caused by climate change, is one of the major threats that climate change poses to Thailand.[3]
The Thai Government's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has calculated that erosion causes the country to lose 30 km2 of coastal land every year. The Thai Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning predicts that the sea level will rise one meter in the next 40 to 100 years, impacting at least 3,200 km2 of coastal land, at a potential cost to Thailand of three billion baht. 17% of Thailand's population, more than 11 million people, will be directly affected by this.[4]
The ground under
Government action
Thailand submitted its
National pledges in Paris equate to a 3 °C increase in global temperatures according to climate scientists.[clarification needed] Negotiators in Paris worked to bring this down to 2 °C, but even this lower number may be "catastrophic for Bangkok," forcing the abandonment of the city by 2200 at the latest and by 2045–2070 at the earliest.[15] In a paper published on 1 March 2016, climate researchers James Hansen and Makiko Sato state that, "The tropics...in summer are in danger of becoming practically uninhabitable by the end of the century if business-as-usual fossil fuel emissions continue..."[16] In 2015, Bangkok averaged 29.6 °C, 1.6 °C higher than normal.[17]
In November 2019, the Fundación Ecológica Universal (FEU), a global environmental
Vulnerability and governmental response
Some tropical ecosystems are being decimated by climate change far faster than expected—coral bleaching is one example—while many more habitats may be damaged over time. Tropical ecosystems are considered particularly vulnerable because many tropical species have evolved within very specific temperature ranges. As temperatures rise, they may not survive.[21] According to one report, Thailand will likely be disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change.[22]
Extreme heat in
The Climate Impact Group at NASA's
Researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, studying historical records of how temperature affects economies, predict that, given current trends, global income will be 23% less by the end of the century than it would be without climate change. The decline in income is not evenly distributed, with tropical regions hardest hit. The study estimates that Thailand's GDP will have declined by 90% in 2099 relative to GDP in 2016.[33] Even niche sectors of the economy could be affected: coral reef tourism worldwide—worth US$36 billion in 2019—may decline by 90% in Thailand and the other four leading reef tourism destinations by 2100.[34]
Thailand's CO2 emissions per capita rose from 0.14 tonnes in 1960 to 4.5 tonnes in 2013, while the population rose from 27 million to 67 million over the same period.[35] The Thai government's Climate Change Master Plan, 2012-2050 foresees that "Thailand is able [sic] to continue its economic, social, and environmental developments in accordance with sufficiency economy philosophy and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, without impeding the country's gross domestic product (GDP) or reducing its growth of developmental capability and competitiveness."[36] The Bangkok250 and Green Bangkok 2030 projects aim to make the capital more walkable, reduce emissions, and improve air quality.[37]
See also
References
- ^ doi:10.1355/cs33-2d. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ Thailand Disaster Management Reference Handbook (PDF). Hawaii: Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM). May 2018. p. 16. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ Overland, Indra, et al. (2017) Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN International Affairs: Risk and Opportunity Multiplier, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of International and Strategic Studies (MISIS)
- ^ "Major study could benefit 11 million Thai people living in vulnerable coastal zones" (Press release). EurekAlert. Edge Hill University. 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ^ Charuvastra, Teeranai (5 October 2017). "BANGKOK LITERALLY SINKING IN SEX AS BROTHELS STEAL GROUNDWATER". Khaosod English. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
- ^ Sattaburuth, Aekarach (2015-07-23). "Bangkok 'could be submerged in 15 years'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ Martin, Nik (2013-05-02). "Thailand needs to act as Bangkok sinks faster". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ Kurlantzick, Joshua (11 November 2019). "In the Face of Catastrophic Sea Level Rise, Countries in Southeast Asia Dither". World Politics Review (WPR). Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "Subject: Thailand's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)" (PDF). UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ "Thailand's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution; Presentation at ADP2.11" (Presentation). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning. October 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
- ^ Wangkiat, Paritta (2015-11-26). "Kingdom aims to cut emissions 25%". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ Techawongtham, Wasant (2015-11-20). "Govt must act fast to stem scourge of climate change". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ "List of Parties that signed the Paris Agreement on 22 April". United Nations (UN). Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ "7. d Paris Agreement". United Nations Treaty Collection (UNTC). Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ Draper, John (2015-12-03). "Graphical representation of the effects of global climate change on Bangkok". Prachatai English. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ Hansen, James; Sato, Makiko (2016-03-01). "Regional Climate Change and National Responsibilities". Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions. Earth Institute, Columbia University. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ Mokkhasen, Sasiwan (2020-03-06). "A 40-Degree Summer of Suffering Coming After Songkran". Khaosod English. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ISBN 9780983190936. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- ^ "Prayut pledges Asean's commitment to climate change cooperation". The Nation. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- hdl:11250/2734506.
- ^ Hance, Jeremy (16 August 2016). "Climate change pledges not nearly enough to save tropical ecosystems". Mongabay. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ^ Naruchaikusol, Sopon (June 2016). "TransRe Fact Sheet: Climate Change and its impact in Thailand". TransRe. Geography Department, University of Bonn. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ Shankleman, Jessica; Foroohar, Kambiz (19 July 2016). "Soaring Temperatures Will Make It Too Hot to Work, UN Warns". Bloomberg. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
- S2CID 4471413. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ^ Vince, Gaia (18 May 2019). "The heat is on over the climate crisis. Only radical measures will work". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
- ^ Watt, Jonathan (5 May 2020). "One billion people will live in insufferable heat within 50 years – study". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ Wangkiat, Paritta (27 November 2016). "The heat is on". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-92-63-11189-0. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- ^ "OMGWTFBBQ: THAILAND HASN'T BEEN THIS HOT SINCE 1960". Khaosod English. Associated Press. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ Gecker, Jocelyn; Chuwiruch, Natnicha (27 April 2016). "Thailand is used to hot Aprils, but not this hot!". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ Popovich, Nadja; Migliozzi, Blacki; Taylor, Rumsey; Williams, Josh; Watkins, Derek (n.d.). "How Much Hotter Is Your Hometown Than When You Were Born?" (Interactive graphic). New York Times. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ISSN 1020-5489. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ Rotman, David (2016-12-20). "Hotter Days Will Drive Global Inequality". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
- ^ "Runaway warming could sink fishing and reef tourism, researchers warn". The Straits Times. Reuters. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Thailand". The World Bank. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ Pipitsombat, Nirawan. "Thailand Climate Policy: Perspectives beyond 2012" (PDF). European Union External Action Service (EEAS). Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ "The Greening of Bangkok". UNFCCC. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.