Climate change in Cambodia

Last updated

A dried river bank during a dry season in Cambodia. Climate change threatens the country's water resources. Pumping in dry season Cambodia (10715532746).jpg
A dried river bank during a dry season in Cambodia. Climate change threatens the country's water resources.

Cambodia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Extreme weather events will occur more frequently; this includes floods, which already affect 90,000 residents annually, and heatwaves, with Cambodia already having one of the highest temperatures of the world. The temperature has increased since the 1960s by 0.18 °C per decade. [1] It had the 7th lowest CO2 emissions in Asia in 2019. [2]

Contents

Climate change is leading to increased drought in Cambodia, which is having major impacts on the Tonlé Sap and Mekong deltas. These water systems are highly important for water, agriculture and fishing in the country. Cambodia's population is impacted by increasing floods, tropical cyclones and waterborne diseases, and is highly vulnerable due to its high rate of poverty.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Annual CO2 emissions in Cambodia. Cambodia CO2 emissions chart until 2019.png
Annual CO2 emissions in Cambodia.

In 2020 Cambodia reported 15.33 mt in CO2 emissions and is responsible for 0.04% in 2019 and cumulatively 0.01% of worldwide CO2 emissions. The per capita CO2 emissions in 2019 were 0.97t since 2013 a big increase in CO2 emissions was observed with an increase of 192.69% between 2013 and 2019. [3] [4] 143.84 mt of CO2 emissions have been emitted between 1751 and 2019. [5]

Impacts on the natural environment

Temperature and weather changes

Warming stripes in Cambodia between 1901 and 2021. ASIA-Cambodia--1901-2021-BK-withlabels.png
Warming stripes in Cambodia between 1901 and 2021.

The temperature has increased 0.18 °C per decade since 1980. Cambodia already has one of the highest temperatures in the world with 35 °C being recorded for 64 days a year nationally. These temperatures will rise in all RCP scenarios which could lead to permanent heat stress. The probability of droughts in 2080-2099 will rise from 4% annually to 5-9% under all scenarios. [1]

Daily temperature increase in 2080-2099 compared to 1986-2005 temperatures [1]
Climate change scenario2080-2099
RCP 2.6 low emissions scenario1.0 °C
RCP 4.5 intermediate scenario1.8 °C
RCP 6.0 peak around 2080 then decline2.2 °C
RCP 8.5 high emissions scenario3.7 °C

The sub-daily precipitation will likely increase in intensity. Around 90.000 people are annually exposed to flooding in Cambodia, in RCP 8.5 scenario this will increase to 160.000 people annually. A study that was done by the World Bank expects that in 2050 19% of the population will be exposed to flooding. [1]

Water

River flows of the Tonle Sap are being impacted by climate change. Lac Tonle au Cambodge vue par Sentinel 2.jpg
River flows of the Tonlé Sap are being impacted by climate change.

A major climate change issue for Cambodia is the impact it has on the Tonlé Sap lake and Mekong river system. [7] [8] Climate change will impact water flow in the country and increase the frequency of droughts. [6] [9] Hydropower dams have further exacerbated the issue. [10]

Impacts on people

Impacts on the Tonlé Sap lake and Mekong will have considerable implications for agriculture and fishing in the country. [7] [11] The Cambodian population, which has a high rate of poverty, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on tropical cyclones, floods and waterborne diseases. [12]

UNICEF ranked Cambodia 46th out of 163 that they assessed on the impact of climate change on the youth. Cambodia was ranked as a high risk country in the report. The youth in Cambodia is already highly exposed to scarcity of water, riverine flooding and vector-borne disease which could worsen with the effects of climate change. [13]

Mitigation and adaptation

The Cambodian government pledges to reduce emissions by 41.7% in 2030. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Cambodia</span> Geography of the country of Cambodia

Cambodia is a country in mainland Southeast Asia. It borders Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, the Gulf of Thailand and covers a total area of approximately 181,035 km2 (69,898 sq mi). The country is situated in its entirety inside the tropical Indomalayan realm and the Indochina Time zone (ICT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Vietnam</span> Geographical features of Vietnam

Vietnam is located on the eastern margin of the Indochinese peninsula and occupies about 331,211.6 square kilometres (127,881.5 sq mi), of which about 25% was under cultivation in 1987. It borders the Gulf of Tonkin, Gulf of Thailand, and Pacific Ocean, along with China, Laos, and Cambodia. The elongated roughly S shaped country has a north-to-south distance of 1,650 km (1,030 mi) and is about 50 km (31 mi) wide at the narrowest point. With a coastline of 3,260 km (2,030 mi), excluding islands, Vietnam claims 12 nautical miles as the limit of its territorial waters, an additional 12 nautical miles as a contiguous customs and security zone. It has an exclusive economic zone of 417,663 km2 (161,261 sq mi) with 200 nautical miles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mekong</span> Major river in Southeast Asia

The Mekong or Mekong River is a trans-boundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is the world's twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia with an estimated length of 4,909 km (3,050 mi) and a drainage area of 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi), discharging 475 km3 (114 cu mi) of water annually. From its headwaters in the Tibetan Plateau, the river runs through Southwest China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls in the Mekong make navigation difficult. Even so, the river is a major trade route between Tibet and Southeast Asia. The construction of hydroelectric dams along the Mekong in the 2000s through the 2020s causes serious problems for the river's ecosystem, including the exacerbation of drought.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonlé Sap</span> Combined lake and river system in Cambodia

Tonlé Sap is a lake in the northwest of Cambodia. Belonging to the Mekong River system, Tonlé is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. It has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997 due to its high biodiversity. In the 21st century, the lake and its surrounding ecosystems are under increasing pressure from deforestation, infrastructure development and climate change.

Climate change is an urgent and significant issue affecting Japan. In recent years, the country has observed notable changes in its climate patterns, with rising temperatures serving as a prominent indicator of this phenomenon. As an archipelago situated in northeastern Asia, Japan is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its diverse geography and exposure to various weather systems. The nation experiences a broad range of climates, spanning from the frigid winters of Hokkaido to the subtropical climates of Okinawa. Changes in temperature patterns have the potential to disrupt ecosystems, impact agricultural productivity, modify water resources, and pose significant challenges to infrastructure and human settlements.

This page describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Laos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in South Korea</span>

Climate change has led to extreme weather events in South Korea that affects: social, economy, industry, culture, and many other sectors. South Korea is experiencing changes in climate parameters. Such parameters include annual temperature, rainfall amounts, and precipitation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of climate change on agriculture</span> Effects of climate change on agriculture

There are numerous effects of climate change on agriculture, many of which are making it harder for agricultural activities to provide global food security. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns often result in lower crop yields due to water scarcity caused by drought, heat waves and flooding. These effects of climate change can also increase the currently-rare risk of several regions suffering simultaneous crop failures, which would have significant consequences for the global food supply. Many pests and plant diseases are also expected to either become more prevalent or to spread to new regions. The world's livestock are also expected to be affected by many of the same issues, from greater heat stress to animal feed shortfalls and the spread of parasites and vector-borne diseases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Illinois</span> Climate change in the US state of Illinois

Climate change in Illinois encompasses the effects of climate change, attributed to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, in the U.S. state of Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in France</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of France related to climate change

In France, climate change has caused some the greatest annual temperature increases registered in any country in Europe. The 2019 heat wave saw record temperatures of 46.0 °C. Heat waves and other extreme weather events are expected to increase with continued climate change. Other expected environmental impacts include increased floods due to both sea level rise and increased glacier melt. These environmental changes will lead to shifts in ecosystems and affect local organisms. Climate change will also cause economic losses in France, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Malaysia</span> Impact of global warming on the south-east Asian country and mitigating and adaptating to it

Climate change is having a considerable impact in Malaysia. Increasing temperatures are likely to greatly increase the number of heatwaves occurring annually. Variations in precipitation may increase the frequency of droughts and floods in various local areas. Sea level rise may inundate some coastal areas. These impacts are expected to have numerous environmental and socioeconomic effects, exacerbating existing environmental issues and reinforcing inequality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Kenya</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of Kenya related to climate change

Climate change is posing an increasing threat to global socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. Developing countries with low adaptive capacity and high vulnerability to the phenomenon are disproportionately affected. Climate change in Kenya is increasingly impacting the lives of Kenya's citizens and the environment. Climate Change has led to more frequent extreme weather events like droughts which last longer than usual, irregular and unpredictable rainfall, flooding and increasing temperatures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Vietnam</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of Vietnam related to climate change

Vietnam is among the most affected countries by global climate change. A large number of studies show that Vietnam is experiencing climate change and will be severely negatively affected in coming decades. These negative effects include sea level rise, salinity intrusion and other hydrological problems like floods, river mouth evolution and sedimentation. Natural hazards such as cold waves, storm surges will increase in frequency, with negative effects on the country's development, infrastructure and economy.

Climate change has caused temperatures in the world to rise in the last few decades, and temperatures in Europe have risen twice as fast as the average change in the rest of the world. In Spain, which already has a hot and dry climate, extreme events such as heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent. The country is also experiencing more episodes of drought and increased severity of these episodes. Water resources will be severely affected in various climate change scenarios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Poland</span> Climate change in Poland: emissions, climate observations, ecological and social impacts, responses

In Poland, climate change has resulted in an increase of average temperature above 2 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial levels, which is higher than the average level of climate change in Europe. Temperature has been observed to increase over the last decades due to anthropogenic activity, and without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions the effects of climate change will become ever more noticeable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Italy</span> Impact of climate change in Italy

In Italy, widespread impacts of climate change are currently being felt. With an increase in extreme events such as heatwaves, droughts and more frequent flooding, Italy faces many challenges adapting to climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in the Middle East and North Africa</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of the MENA region related to climate change

Climate change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) refers to changes in the climate of the MENA region and the subsequent response, adaption and mitigation strategies of countries in the region. In 2018, the MENA region emitted 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide and produced 8.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) despite making up only 6% of the global population. These emissions are mostly from the energy sector, an integral component of many Middle Eastern and North African economies due to the extensive oil and natural gas reserves that are found within the region. The region of Middle East is one of the most vulnerable to climate change. The impacts include increase in drought conditions, aridity, heatwaves and sea level rise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonle Sap freshwater swamp forests</span> Ecoregion in Cambodia and Southern Vietnam

The Tonle Sap freshwater swamp forests ecoregion covers the seasonally flooded forests surrounding Tonlé Sap, the largest lake in Cambodia, and the floodplains of its connections to the Mekong River. Over 35% of the ecoregion experiences flooding during the wet season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonle Sap–Mekong peat swamp forests</span> Ecoregion in Cambodia and Southern Vietnam

The Tonle Sap-Mekong peat swamp forests ecoregion covers a patchwork of areas permanently inundated with fresh water along the Tonle Sap River and Mekong River floodplains in Cambodia and Vietnam. The terrain is mostly flat, with extensive agricultural fields, reed beds, and degraded shrub forest. Less than 10% of the region is in its original state, and less than 1% is protected. Habitat in the region is distinguished from the Tonle Sap freshwater swamp forests ecoregion that runs through the middle, as that ecoregion is only seasonally flooded.

Climate change impacts are occurring in Zimbabwe, even though the country's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is very minimal.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Climate risk country profile Cambodia" (PDF). World Bank . 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-09-23.
  2. "Per capita CO₂ emissions". Our World in Data. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  3. "Annual CO₂ emissions". Our World in Data. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  4. Ritchie, Hannah; Roser, Max (2020-05-11). "CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions". Our World in Data.
  5. "Cumulative CO₂ emissions". Our World in Data. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  6. 1 2 Oeurng, Chantha; Cochrane, Thomas A.; Chung, Sarit; Kondolf, Mathias G.; Piman, Thanapon; Arias, Mauricio E. (March 2019). "Assessing Climate Change Impacts on River Flows in the Tonle Sap Lake Basin, Cambodia". Water. 11 (3): 618. doi: 10.3390/w11030618 . ISSN   2073-4441.
  7. 1 2 Nachemson, Andrew (23 Sep 2019). "Cambodia's lifeline threatened as Mekong recedes to historic low". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  8. Vidal, John; Poulton, Lindsay; Randerson, James; Ochagavia, Ekaterina; Brown, Georgia; Aldred, Jessica; Duncan, Max; Cage, Feilding; Louter, Daan. "The Mekong river: stories from the heart of the climate crisis". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  9. Daly, Kensey; Ahmad, Shahryar K.; Bonnema, Matthew; Beveridge, Claire; Hossain, Faisal; Nijssen, Bart; Holtgrieve, Gordon (June 2020). "Recent warming of Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia: Implications for one of the world's most productive inland fisheries". Lakes & Reservoirs: Science, Policy and Management for Sustainable Use. 25 (2): 133–142. doi:10.1111/lre.12317. ISSN   1320-5331. S2CID   219100320.
  10. Osborne, Zoe (2019-12-16). "Mekong basin's vanishing fish signal tough times ahead in Cambodia". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  11. Keeton-Olsen, Danielle; Sineat, Yon (14 Jan 2022). "'Not enough water': Cambodia's farmers face changing climate". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  12. Davies, Grace I.; McIver, Lachlan; Kim, Yoonhee; Hashizume, Masahiro; Iddings, Steven; Chan, Vibol (January 2015). "Water-Borne Diseases and Extreme Weather Events in Cambodia: Review of Impacts and Implications of Climate Change". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 12 (1): 191–213. doi: 10.3390/ijerph120100191 . ISSN   1660-4601. PMC   4306857 . PMID   25546280.
  13. "Children in Cambodia at 'very high risk' of the impacts of the climate crisis - UNICEF". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  14. Clark, Dan; Joiner, Sam; Bernard, Steven (2021-10-26). "COP26: How every country's emissions and climate pledges compare". Financial Times. Retrieved 2021-11-10.