Countries that will Suffer most from Global Warming and Rising Sea Levels

Mapplecroft, a British risk analysis firm, has released a list of 30 nations that may be worst affected by global climate change.

The firm's Climate Change Vulnerability Index rates countries’ exposure to extreme weather events like cyclones, storm surges, wildfires and drought. It also assesses effects such as loss of crops, water stress, and lands lost to the sea.

"Many countries there are particularly vulnerable to even relatively low exposure to climate events," said Charlie Beldon, co-author of the study.

"Vulnerability to climate change has the potential to undermine future development, particularly in India," he said.

Africa and South Asia are among the regions that will be highly affected by climate changes. Many of these countries have a poor disaster management systems, among other vulnerabilites. Geographical location was also considered since tropical countries will definitely be affected.

Rise of Water Levels

Sea levels are predicted to rise continuously because of global warming.

"Based on the current situation we have projected changes in the sea level 500 years into the future," said Aslak Grinsted, a researcher at the Centre for Ice and Climate, the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen.

Optimistic climate models have sea level rising by 60 cm by 2100 and 1.8 meters by 2500. Pessimistic projections range much higher.

Click on "START" to see which countries are in greatest danger.