Faced with the global warming crisis, changes are paramount for survival, necessitating a closer look at potential avenues of environmental impact reduction. In a panel aptly entitled “Cope and Adapt to Prevent the Global Warming Crisis”, the insights shared by Dr. Vishnu Atthavanich, an esteemed Associate professor from the Faculty of Economics at Kasetsart University, shed a bright light on these issues. He mentioned the daunting task of planting approximately 1.2 trillion trees just to absorb the carbon emissions of the past decade, a figure that appears unachievable in such a short timespan.
Beyond the necessity of trees, it is essential to consider other areas heavily affected by climate change, such as agriculture. A comprehensive research study on the impact of global warming on Thai agriculture reveals that vulnerable regions are those without adequate irrigation systems. The potential damage from this discrepancy has been estimated at a staggering 83 billion baht per annum. Worryingly, projections insinuate that the effects of global warming might amplify the costs of Thai agriculture to a heightened 2.85 trillion baht by 2045, a significant leap from the current 3.3 trillion baht prediction.
Dr Vishnu highlighted the impact of the current El Niño phenomenon, which is pushing the global temperature rise to exceed historical averages insanely. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), global temperatures in each month of 2023 have been at a record-high for the last 174 years. By 2024, it is projected that the global temperature will shatter another record, breaching the pre-industrial level by 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The research underscored the susceptibility of Thai agriculture to climate change, particularly in the southern and eastern regions. Conceivably, these regions are likely to face extreme repercussions. However, the silver lining can be seen in certain regions like the central and northeastern areas, where perennial crops like durian are cultivated; these areas stand to be less harshly affected.
The study further unfolded that a mere 4.46% of farmers with higher education have delved into studies targeting climate change. A considerable majority of about 80% of agricultural households constitute subsistence farmers grappling with socio-economic challenges. Further complicating this scenario, access to irrigation systems is available to just 26% of households, making adaptation to climate change a steep uphill task. There is a glaring absence of government initiatives and policies tailored to the unique needs of farmers, exacerbating an already challenging situation.
Dr. Vishnu reiterated the importance of providing significant financial aid to farmers, driving them towards adapting to climate change. The current situation sees each farming household receiving a mere annual aid of 17,000 baht, an inadequate incentive for effective adaptation. As the severity of climate change continues to escalate, there is a pressing requirement for allocating larger funds to aid the agricultural industry and ensure its survival.
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