Climate change and status of urban environment in the developing countries

Abstract

As the world climate is changing due to rapid urbanization, the urban environment especially in developing countries facing various problem. This paper explores the problems of urban environment in developing countries due to climate change. The urban areas of developing countries are more vulnerable than the developed countries. Climate change have a great impact on human health, approximately 800,000 annual deaths from ambient urban air pollution, 1.9 million from physical inactivity, and 1.5 million per year from indoor air pollution. The rapid growth of population and climate change is increasing water scarcity and hampers the irrigation process, drinking & domestic use of water. The earth temperature that contribute to sea level rise and consequently, the salinity intrusion decline the crop production, increase the food scarcity. About 25 million people are environmental refugee amounting to 58% of the world's total refugee population. Displacement rate is very high (50 million) in agriculturally dislocated areas, in developing countries. The world famous cities are near to coast and experience natural disaster every year. These are at risk of flooding due to heavy rainfall, sea level rise and storm surge. China experienced annual losses from natural disasters averaging 3.9 percent of GDP. Small Island states are more vulnerable and Alexandria, Egypt; Banjul, Gambia, Tianjin, China, Jakarta, Indonesia, Bangkok, and Thailand will be affected. Adaptive measurement is required to minimizing the loss of climate change. There is a need of a more active input from the public & private sector to ensure that development and environmental policies contribute to a preventive approach to local and global urban environment sustainably.