Climate Change has consistently been blamed on countries emitting the highest amount of gases. However, a recent study by the University of Queensland and the Wildlife Conservation Society has an entirely different story to tell.
Just like a room full of second-hand smoke, countries with the least emissions are most vulnerable to climate change. The highest emitters, including countries like Australia, are the ones that suffer the least.
As per Glenn Althor, the lead author of the study, the ones with the least number of greenhouse gas emissions are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of health impacts, frequent natural disasters, industry stress as well as changing habitats.
In the race of who suffers the least, India has not been left far behind. India is one of the highest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emitter in the world and is also least vulnerable to the adverse effects of Climate Change.
Althor said that it is unfortunate that the leading emitters who are reasonably responsible for causing climate change are being least affected. It is high time that the situation of Climate Change is resolved, and the countries with the highest emissions do their bit to curb climate change.
The situation is similar to passive smoking. It’s like the one smoking is cancer free and the other who is inhaling second-hand smoke is getting cancer. The research revealed that as many as 20 out of 36 highest emitters including Canada, United States, China as well as Western Europe are the least vulnerable to the impact of Climate Change.
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Meanwhile, 11 out of the 17 low emitting countries, most of them found in South Asia and Africa are likely to get the most affected by Climate Change. By the year 2030, the number of vulnerable countries will only rise due to increased activities including biodiversity loss, floods, droughts as well as disease mount.
Now, the highest emitting countries not only need to reduce the emissions but also help the most vulnerable countries in adapting to Climate Change. These high emitters must ensure that they are the ones bearing the burden of the deeds performed by them.
Image Credit: guardian.com
