Though the effect of Climate Change is global and far-fetched in nature, people in coastal regions of Asia, particularly those living in cities, could face some of the worst effects of global warming, climate experts have consistently warned. Hundreds of millions of people are likely to lose their homes as flooding, famine and rising sea levels sweep the region, one of the most vulnerable on Earth to the impact of global warming.

In addition, climate change will slow down economic growth, further erode food security and trigger new poverty traps, particularly in urban areas and emerging hot spots of hunger in Asia. This combination of a high-risk region and the special vulnerability of cities make coastal Asian urban centres likely flashpoints for future. At the same time, Asia’s coral reefs face devastating destruction triggered by increasing amounts of carbon dioxide dissolving in sea water and acidifying Earth's oceans.

Climate models indicate temperature increases in the Asian region on the order of 0.5-2°C by 2030 and will be most affected by an increase in global sea level of approximately 3-16 cm by 2030.

The Asia Council’s Forum on Climate Change brings together world’s leading scientists, policy makers & other stake holders to address this key environmental challenges that will determine Asia’s future in next few decades.