Climate expert warns Central Asia faces severe warming and water stress
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Climate expert Aleksey Kokorin warns that Central Asia is among the regions most vulnerable to climate change, with temperatures potentially rising more than 3°C even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C. Glaciers in the region are shrinking by about 0.5% annually, while per capita water availability in Uzbekistan has nearly halved over the past 15 years. The warning comes as a strong El Niño approaches, which could increase flood risks in Central Asia.
Key Facts
- Central Asia could warm by more than 3°C even if global temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C, according to climate expert Aleksey Kokorin.
- Glaciers in Central Asia are shrinking by approximately 0.5% per year.
- Land degradation in Uzbekistan is occurring at a rate of about 9 square meters per minute.
- Per capita water availability in Uzbekistan has nearly halved over the past 15 years.
- A strong El Niño is approaching, which may increase flood risks in Central Asia.
Regional Vulnerability
Central Asia is among the regions most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, according to Aleksey Kokorin, a climate expert with the Russian 'Nature and People' Foundation and a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C, temperatures in Central Asia could rise by more than 3°C. Kokorin has participated in UN climate negotiations since 1993 and was part of the IPCC team that received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
Water and Land Stress
Glaciers in the region are shrinking by about 0.5% annually, reducing long-term water supplies. In Uzbekistan, land degradation is occurring at a rate of approximately 9 square meters per minute. Per capita water availability in Uzbekistan has nearly halved over the past 15 years.
El Niño Threat
A strong El Niño is approaching, which may increase flood risks in Central Asia. The warning was published by Daryo.uz, which noted that the phenomenon could raise the danger of flooding in the region.
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Climate expert warns Central Asia faces severe warming and water stress
