Part II Climate Change, Its Impact and Adaptation
Chapter 3 Climate Change and Its Impact: A Review of Existing Studies 21 A. Introduction
B. Observed and Projected Climate Change in Southeast Asia
This chapter reviews evidence of how climate is changing in Southeast Asia (changes in temperature, precipitation, extreme weather conditions, and sea level rise), and how that is affecting water resources, agricultural production, forestry, coastal and marine resources, and human health. The review is based on an extensive literature survey and scoping exercise covering the findings of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2007) and other studies carried out by concerned governments, research institutions, international organizations, academics, and nongovernment organizations. The review also draws on information collected during regional and national consultations and provided by national climate experts engaged under this study.
B. Observed and Projected Climate Change in Southeast Asia
The average temperature in Southeast Asia has increased 0.1–0.3°C per decade over the last 50 years (Figure 3.1).
There is also evidence that temperature increases became more pronounced in recent years compared to the first half of the 20th century.
Country-specific studies report that temperature has increased in all the Southeast Asian countries reviewed in this study (Table 3.1).
In Indonesia, Rataq (2007) reported that the mean temperature recorded in Jakarta increased about 1.04°C per century in the month of January (the wet season) and 1.40°C per century in July (the dry
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Surface
-0.75 -0.65 -0.55 -0.45 -0.35 -0.25 -0.15 -0.05 0 0.05 0.15 0.25 0.35 0.45 0.55 0.65 0.75 Troposphere
Figure 3.1. Patterns of Linear Global Temperature Trends (1979—2005) ºC per decade
Source: IPCC (2007).
Chapter 3: Climate Change and Its Impact: A Review of Existing Studies 23
season). The disappearance of snow covering Mount Jayawijaya of Irian Jaya is seen as clear evidence that warming has occurred.
In the Philippines, since 1971, mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures have increased 0.14°C per decade according to IPCC (2007). Studies by Tibig (2004) and Manton et al. (2001) support this finding, showing departures from the annual mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures in recent years of 0.61°C, 0.34°C, and 0.89°C, respectively, from the 1961–1990 normal values, indicating an increase in temperature. The frequency of hot days and warm nights has also increased and the number of cold days and cool nights decreased.
In Singapore, temperature increased 0.6°C between 1987 and 2007 or about 0.3°C per decade. This appears to be consistent with the global trend.
In Thailand, temperature increased, ranging from 0.10–0.18°C per decade over 5 decades of observation. The country has at sometime in the past experienced an average daytime temperature of up to 40°C, especially during the month of April.
In Viet Nam, the annual average temperature increased 0.1°C per decade from 1900 and 2000, and 0.7°C, or 0.14°C per decade, during 1951—2000, suggesting temperature rose faster in the latter half of the century. Summers have become hotter in recent years, with average monthly temperatures increasing 0.1–0.3°C per decade.
Southeast Asia is projected to warm further during this century, following the global trend increase in mean surface air temperature.
Under a high emissions scenario (that is, A1FI), developed in IPCC (2000), by the end of this century temperatures could be more than 4°C above 1980–1999 levels, ranging from 2.5–6°C (Box 3.1). This trend could be seriously amplified in different regions of the world. According to IPCC (2007) projections, the mean surface air temperature in Southeast Asia would increase between 0.75–0.87°C by 2039, 1.32–2.01°C by 2069, and 1.96–3.77°C by 2100, depending on which business-as-usual (BAU) baseline scenario is assumed (Table 3.2). While in most parts of Asia the greatest warming occurs from December to February, future warming in Southeast Asia is projected to occur throughout the year. There is a tendency for warming to be stronger over mainland Southeast Asia and the larger land masses of the archipelago.
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Table 3.1. Observed Temperature Changes in Southeast Asia
Temperature change (°C) Source
Indonesia Increase of 1.04–1.40°C per century Rataq (2007)
Philippines Increase of 1.4°C per century IPCC (2007)
Singapore Increasing by about 0.3°C per decade as observed between 1987—2007 Ho (2008)
Thailand Increase of 1.04–1.80°C per century Jesdapipat (2008)
Viet Nam Increase of 1.0°C per century Cuong (2008)
Source: Compiled by ADB study team.
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Box 3.1. The IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios
A1: The A1 storyline and scenario family describes a future world of very rapid economic growth, a global population that peaks mid-century and declines thereafter, and a rapid introduction of new and more efficient technologies.
Major underlying themes are convergence among regions, capacity building, and increased cultural and social interactions, with a substantial reduction in regional differences in per capita income. The A1 scenario family is further developed into three groups that describe alternative directions of technological change in the energy system. The three A1 groups are distinguished by their technological emphasis: fossil-intensive (A1FI), non-fossil energy sources (A1T), or balanced across all sources (A1B) (where balanced is defined as not relying too heavily on one particular energy source, on the assumption that similar improvement rates apply to all energy supply and end use technologies).
A2: The A2 storyline and scenario family describes a very heterogeneous world. The underlying theme is self- reliance and preservation of local identities. Fertility patterns across regions converge very slowly, which results in continuously increasing populations. Economic development is primarily regionally oriented and per capita economic growth and technological change are more fragmented and slower than other storylines.
B1: The B1 storyline and scenario family describes a convergent world with the same global population, which peaks mid-century and declines thereafter as in the A1 storyline, but with rapid change in economic structures toward a service and information economy, with reductions in material intensity and introduction of clean- and resource-efficient technologies. The emphasis is on global solutions to economic, social, and environmental sustainability, including improved equity, but without additional climate initiatives.
B2: The B2 storyline and scenario family describes a world in which the emphasis is on local solutions to economic, social and environmental sustainability. It is a world with continuously increasing global population, at a rate lower than A2, intermediate levels of economic development, and less rapid and more diverse technological change than in the B1 and A1 storylines. While the scenario is also oriented towards environmental protection and social equity, it focuses on local and regional levels.
An illustrative scenario was chosen for each of the six scenario groups, A1B, A1FI, A1T, A2, B1 and B2. All should be considered equally sound.
The SRES scenarios do not include additional climate initiatives, which means that no scenarios are included that explicitly assume implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or the emissions targets of the Kyoto Protocol.
Source: IPCC (2000).
Table 3.2. Projected Change in Mean Surface Air Temperature for Southeast Asia under A1FI and B1 (with respect to baseline period of 1961—1990), ºC
Season 2010—2039 2040—2069 2070—2099
A1FI B1 A1FI B1 A1FI B1
December to February 0.86 0.72 2.25 1.32 3.92 2.02
March to May 0.92 0.80 2.32 1.34 3.83 2.04
June to August 0.83 0.74 2.13 1.30 3.61 1.87
September to November 0.85 0.75 1.32 1.32 3.72 1.90
Mean 0.87 0.75 2.01 1.32 3.77 1.96
Source: IPCC (2007).
Chapter 3: Climate Change and Its Impact: A Review of Existing Studies 25
Boer and Faqih (2005) projected that temperature in Indonesia will increase 2.1ºC and 3.4ºC by 2100 under the B2 and A2 scenarios, respectively.
Hulme and Sheard (1999) projected a temperature increase of 1.2–3.9ºC in the Philippines by 2080, using all the IPCC emission scenarios.
Temperature rise in Singapore by the end of this century, according to IPCC (2007), is likely to be similar to the projected global mean temperature rise of 2.5ºC with a range of 1.7–4.4ºC.
Thailand’s temperature, based on the climate data generated by a global circulation model, is projected to increase 2–4ºC by the end of this century (TEI 2000).
Most regions in Viet Nam are projected to experience an increase in temperature of 2–4ºC by 2100 (Cuong 2008).
Precipitation in Southeast Asia trended downward from 1960 to 2000.
During the second half of the last century, Southeast Asia’s precipitation patterns changed inter-seasonally and inter-annually, with an overall trend toward decreasing rainfall until 2000 (Figure 3.2) and a declining number of rainy days. Table 3.3 summarizes the changes in precipitation patterns.
On the basis of 43 years of historical annual rainfall data from 63 stations since 1950, Aldrian (2007) reported that Indonesia’s rainfall decreased in recent decades, except in the Lesser Sunda Islands, the eastern coast of Java, and the northern part of Indonesia including Sumatra. The extent of the decrease varies among locations. Between 1968 and 1997, a significant decrease of rainfall of 71.79 mm per
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Deviation from mean precipitation (%)
1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
30 20 10 0 -10 -20 -30
Figure 3.2. Annual Precipitation in Southeast Asia (1901–2005)
Note: Mean precipitation (2455 mm) is computed from 1961 to 1990. Green bars indicate annual variations in precipitation. Colored lines highlight decadal variation. The blue line used Global Historical Climatology Network data from the National Climatic Data Center.
The red line used data from the Climatic Research Unit.
Source: IPCC (2007).
The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review
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year was observed in Bengkulu in Sumatra and 29.71 mm/year in Ketapang in Kalimantan.
Rainfall in Thailand and Singapore also decreased in the past 3–5 decades compared to the first half of the last century. In most areas of Viet Nam, average monthly rainfall has decreased, particularly between the months of July and August, and has increased between September and November. Rainfall intensity has also increased considerably (Cuong 2008).
In contrast, since 1960 mean annual rainfall and the number of rainy days in the Philippines has increased. But as in other places the country has experienced similar variability in the onset of the rainy season. The trend has been toward decreasing rainfall over Luzon and parts of Mindanao and increasing rainfall over the central western part of the country (the Visayan islands) (Anglo 2006).
Under the A1FI scenario, precipitation in Southeast Asia is projected to decrease in the first half of the century, but to increase by the end of the century, with strong variation expected between March and May.
By 2050, Southeast Asia’s precipitation will increase 1% under A1FI and 2.25% under B1, with the strongest rise starting in December and ending in May (Table 3.4). Localized climatic change patterns are likely to show significant variation from the regional average due to the very complex topography and maritime influences within Southeast Asia. The strongest increase in rainfall will follow the inter-tropical convergence zone, which could occur between December and May in some parts. Away from the inter- tropical convergence zone, precipitation will decrease. Broadly, the projected precipitation pattern is that the wet season will become wetter and the dry season drier.
Indonesia’s studies on projection of future rainfall are still limited.
Some findings suggest seasonal rainfall would increase consistently in the period between 2020 and 2080 under B1 and A2 scenarios, except in September to November (Boer and Dewi 2008).
Rainfall in the Philippines would continue to be highly variable, as influenced by seasonal changes and climate extremes (for example, El Niủo Southern Oscillation [ENSO] events),1 and be of higher intensity (Perez 2008).
Changes in annual precipitation for Singapore would range from –2%
to +15% with a median of +7%. Extreme rainfall and winds associated with tropical cyclones are likely to increase (Ho 2008).
In Thailand, there would be a shift in precipitation from north to south
1 El Niủo Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a periodic phenomenon of climatic inter-annual variability which causes floods in some areas (during La Niủa periods) and drought in other areas (during El Niủo periods). ENSO has also caused tropical cyclones in Southeast Asia to be more intense and longer-lasting during El Niủo years than in La Niủa years (Camargo and Sobel 2004).
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Chapter 3: Climate Change and Its Impact: A Review of Existing Studies 27
as predicted by impact studies conducted under the United States Country Studies (TEI 1999) and Boonyawat and Chiwanno (2007).
Viet Nam’s rainfall pattern will be greatly affected by the Southwest monsoon. A recent study on Viet Nam’s future rainfall showed that annual rainfall in most areas world increase by 5–10% toward the end of this century (Cuong 2008). Southern Viet Nam would become drier.
Extreme weather events in Southeast Asia have increased in the past several decades.
IPCC (2007) has reported changes in temperature extremes such as heat waves, an increase in the number of hot days and warm nights, and a decrease in the number of cold days and cold nights in Southeast Asia since 1950, consistent with a general warming. The report also highlights a significant increase in the number of heavy precipitation events in the region from 1900 to 2005. Further, the number of tropical cyclones recorded increased markedly during the summer (July to August) and autumn (September to November) of strong ENSO years. In 2004, the number of tropical depressions, tropical storms, and typhoons reported in the region reached an all-time high, with 21 reported typhoons, well above the median of 17.5 for the period 1990— 2003. The changes are summarized in Table 3.5. These extreme events, for instance, have led to massive flooding and landslides in many parts of the region, causing extensive damage to property, assets, and human life (Figure 3.3)
Extreme climate events in Indonesia are normally associated with ENSO. The ENSO signal is very strong in the country, particularly in those regions that have a monsoonal climate, such as Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. The decrease in dry season rainfall on these islands was twice that of the other islands (Irawan 2002). In recent years,
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Table 3.3. Observed Change in Precipitation in Southeast Asia
Change in precipitation Reference
Indonesia Decrease in annual rainfall during recent decades in some areas Aldrian (2007) Philippines Increase in annual rainfall and in the number of rainy days Anglo (2006) Singapore Decrease in annual rainfall in the past three decades Ho (2008) Thailand Decreasing annual rainfall for the last five decades Jesdapipat (2008) Viet Nam Decrease in monthly rainfall in July-August and increase in September to November Cuong (2008)
Source: Compiled by ADB study team.
Table 3.4. Projected Change in Precipitation for Southeast Asia under A1FI and B1 (with respect to baseline period 1961—1990), %
Season 2010—2039 2040—2069 2070—2099
A1FI B1 A1FI B1 A1FI B1
December–February -1 1 2 4 6 4
March–May 0 0 3 3 12 5
June–August -1 0 0 1 7 1
September–November -2 0 -1 1 7 2
Mean -1.00 0.25 1.00 2.25 8.00 3.00
Source: IPCC (2007).
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Figure 3.3. Extent of Damages due to Floods/Storms (1960—2008)
(b) Estimated Cost of Damages from Floods/Storms (a) Number of Floods/Storms
1960—1969
1970—1979
1980—1989
1990—1999
2000—2008
1960—1969
1970—1979
1980—1989
1990—1999
2000—2008 (d) Number of Affected Persons due to Floods/Storms1 (c) Number of Deaths due to Floods/Storms
1960—1969
1970—1979
1980—1989
1990—1999
2000—2008
1960—1969
1970—1979
1980—1989
1990—1999
2000—2008 0
40 80
20 60 100 120
Indonesia Philippines Thailand Viet Nam 0 2,000 3,000
1,500 1,000 500 2,500 3,500 4,000
Million $
0 4,000 8,000
2,000 6,000 10,000 12,000
0 20 30
15 10 5 25 35 40
Million persons
NumberNumber
Note: 1 Data not available in Viet Nam for the number of affected persons due to floods/storms.
Sources: CRED (2008), CCFSC (2005).
Table 3.5. Observed Changes in Extreme Events and Severe Climate Anomalies in Southeast Asia
Extreme Events Key Trends Reference
Heat waves Increase in hot days and warm nights and decrease in cold
days and nights between 1961 and 1998 Manton et al. (2001), Cruz et al. (2006), Tran et al. (2005) Intense rains and floods Increased occurrence of extreme rains causing flash floods
in Viet Nam; landslides and floods in 1990 and 2004 in the Philippines, and floods in Cambodia in 2000
FAO/WFP (2000), Environment News Service (2002), FAO (2004a), Cruz et al. (2006), Tran et al. (2005)
Droughts Droughts normally associated with El Niủo years in Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, and Viet Nam; droughts in 1997 and 1998 causing massive crop failures and water shortages as well as forest fires in various parts of Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Philippines
Duong (2000), Kelly and Adger (2000), Glantz (2001), PAGASA (2001)
Typhoons On average, 20 cyclones cross the Philippine area of responsibility with about eight or nine making landfall each year; an average increase of 4.2 in the frequency of cyclones entering the Philippine area of responsibility during the period 1990—2003
PAGASA (2005)
Source: IPCC (2007).
Chapter 3: Climate Change and Its Impact: A Review of Existing Studies 29
El Niủo events have become more frequent as global temperature anomalies have increased (Hansen et al. 2006). Based on a study by Boer and Perdinan (2008) using data for 1907–2007 from the International Disaster Database (OFDA/CRED 2007), it is clear that climate-related hazards have increased over the past 5 decades (Figure 3.4). The most frequent hazard is flooding, followed by landslides and water- or vector-borne diseases.
In the Philippines, the frequency of typhoons entering its area of responsibility increased more than four-fold during 1990–2003.
On average, 20 tropical cyclones, most of them originating in the Pacific, frequented the area each year, with nine (on average) making landfall. Most of these tropical cyclones pass over the central Visayas region of the country. Observations have increasingly supported the scientific claim that rising sea surface temperatures are already enhancing the destructiveness of tropical cyclones worldwide (Emanuel 2005). During the past 15 years, the country was hit by the strongest typhoon ever recorded, the most destructive typhoon, the deadliest storm, and the typhoon that registered the highest recorded 24-hour rainfall. According to Amadore (2005), extreme events in the Philippines are usually accompanied by persistent torrential rains that cause landslides and flash floods, killing people and destroying property as well as the environment. Almost 80% of disasters occurring in the country over the past 100 years have been weather-related, with typhoons and floods contributing to the two highest event categories (Figure 3.5).
Singapore also faces extreme weather events such as high air temperatures and heavy rainfall, usually from November to January of each year when strong winds from the northeast and heavy cloud cover prevails (Ho 2008).
In Thailand, extreme events include prolonged flood and drought, landslides, and strong storm surges. These extreme events have
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Flood s Landslid
es
Water- or Vector- Borne D
iseases Wind
storms/Cy clones
Forest Fire s
Drought High Tide
/Surge
Number
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Number
14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
120 100 80 60 40 20 0
108
38 27
10 9 8
2
Figure 3.4. Number of Climate-Related Hazards Occurence by Type in Indonesia (1950—2005)
Source: Boer and Perdinan (2008).
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become more frequent and more damaging. Storms have become more intense but so far not more frequent (Jesdapipat 2008).
Extreme events in Viet Nam take the form of typhoons, droughts and flooding, as well as heat waves. Over the last 50 years, the peak month for typhoon landfalls has shifted from August to November, and most of the storms now occur later in the year. Typhoons have also tended to move to lower latitudes. In the Thùa Thiên Huê region, from 1952 to 2005, the area was hit directly by 34 typhoons (about seven per decade). The effect of ENSO has become stronger in various parts of Viet Nam. Droughts and floods now occur with greater frequency than before and affect mostly the central coastal provinces. In the northern lowland part of the country, heat waves occur mainly in the summer, while in the south they occur in the spring-summer period (Cuong 2008).
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Southeast Asia is likely to increase further, including more heat waves and drought, more flooding, and more tropical cyclones.
Alongside such events, IPCC (2007) also projects an increase in intense precipitation events and an increase in the inter-annual variability of daily precipitation in the Asian summer monsoon. Changes in ENSO and its effect on monsoon variability will greatly influence rainfall variability. ENSO will also affect changes in the occurrence, intensity, and characteristics of tropical cyclones and their inter-annual variability. Northern Southeast Asia will be most affected by changes in tropical cyclone characteristics, which are likely to manifest themselves in an increase in intensity (precipitation and winds).
Likewise, IPCC (2007) projects an increase of 10–20% in tropical cyclone intensity due to a rise in sea surface temperature of 2–4°C relative to the current threshold temperature. Amplification in storm-surge heights could result from the occurrence of stronger winds, with the increase in sea surface temperatures and low pressure associated with tropical storms, resulting in an enhanced risk of coastal disasters.
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Insect Infestation, 2,
0% Wildfire, 1,
0% Volcanic Eruption, 20, 5%
Typhoon, 241, 60%
Drought, 6,
Source: Perez (2008).
1%
Eartquake, 21, 5%
Epidemic, 13, 3%
Flood, 72, 19%
Wave/surge, 5, 1%
Landslide, 25, 6%
Figure 3.5. Disasters in the Philippines (1905—2006)
Source: Perez (2008).