ADAPT NOW: A GLOBAL CALL FOR LEADERSHIP ON CLIMATE RESILIENCE

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Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity, with far-reaching and devastating impacts on people, the environment, and the economy. People who did the least to cause the problem—especially those living in poverty and fragile areas—are most at risk.

Without adaptatioGlobaln, climate change may depress growth in global agriculture yields up to 30 percent by 2050. The number of people who may lack sufficient water, at least one month per year, will soar from 3.6 billion today to more than 5 billion by 2050. Rising seas and greater storm surges could force hundreds of millions of people in coastal cities from their homes, with a total cost to coastal urban areas of more than $1 trillion each year by 2050.

Climate change could push more than 100 million people within developing countries below the poverty line by 2030. The costs of climate change on people and the economy are clear. The toll on human life is irrefutable. The question is how will the world respond: Will we delay and pay more or plan ahead and prosper?