for a more significant proportion of GDP. Figure 1.7 shows the number of occurrences of natural disasters and fatalities in developed and developing countries for
natural disasters, with more than 5000 deaths since 1900. Although it is not possible
to select natural disaster-prone regions, weak infrastructure and disaster prevention
measures are likely to increase the scale of social and economic impacts and human
casualties caused by disasters. In the future, if the natural environment continues to
deteriorate, it is expected that developing countries will suffer more significant
damage.
These extreme weather conditions around the world are a sign of human destruction. The issue of climate change is unavoidable and urgently requires mitigation for
the survival of human beings and all lives on this planet.
1.4 Warning from IPCC
From the formation, development, and decline of ancient civilizations, civilizations
have a profound relationship with climate and the environment. Since the first
industrial revolution, particularly in recent years, the temperature rise and abnormal
climate have attracted widespread attention, triggering fear and anxiety. The main
conclusions of the fifth IPCC report (AR5) WG I “Climate Change 2013-The
Physical Science Basis” (IPCC 2013) are summarized as follows.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Developed
countries
Developing
countries
Deaths
Number of natural disasters
Fig. 1.7 1990–2016 natural disasters in developed and developing countries. (Source: based on the
EM-DAT 2017)
18
W. Zhou