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21 Oct 2010: Emerging Economies Among
The Most Vulnerable to Climate Change

Some of the world’s fastest-growing economies — including India and Bangladesh — are also the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, according to a new report. The nations at the most extreme risk are those already dealing with high poverty levels, dense populations, exposure to climate-related events, and a reliance on flood- or drought-prone agricultural lands, according the Climate Change Vulnerability Index compiled by Maplecroft, a UK-based consulting group. The report says 16 nations are at “extreme risk,” with Bangladesh topping the list because of significant poverty levels, its dependence on agriculture, and the government’s lack of capacity to adapt to climate change. While India is already one the world’s largest economies, its vulnerability to climate-related events could scare off foreign investment in the coming decades, the report says. Among the 25 nations characterized as most at risk, 12 are located in Africa. Among the nations considered “low risk” are Norway, Finland, and Iceland.

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