CLIMATE CHANGE
ANUCHA CHAROENPO
A United Nations report has backed previous studies suggesting Bangkok is at risk from rising sea levels from climate change, but gave no time frame. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) report released yesterday urged authorities to begin preparations now.
''Bangkok itself could sink, so it needs preventative measures,'' said Rasna Warah, editor of the agency's annual report assessing the state of world cities.
The report found all Asian coastal cities were vulnerable to flooding from climate change and action was needed now to mitigate the effects.
Ms Warah said UN-Habitat was highly concerned over the finding and wanted to see preparations being made.
She said the report found more than half of the cities in developing countries which are the most vulnerable to rising sea levels rise are in Asia.
Eighteen of the region's 20 largest cities are located on the coast, a river bank or in a delta, including Bangkok.
The report said most of those in danger were in low elevation coastal zones in Southeast Asian countries. Areas less than 10 metres above sea level are particularly vulnerable.
The report found sea levels rose by about 17 centimetres in the 20th century.
Mean global projections for sea-level rise up to 2080 range from 22 to 34 cms.
Apart from the rising sea water, Thailand was mentioned in relation to two other urbanisation issues in the report.
Ms Warah said Thailand was successful in reducing the number of slum communities.
However, Chiang Mai was listed as one of the top 10 cities in the world facing social inequality issues.
Adnan Aliani, an economist from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific's Sustainable Urban Development Unit, said in the next two decades from 2008 to 2030 an estimated one billion people are expected to migrate to urban areas in all countries to escape poverty
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