UNITED STATES—Global climate change could impose greater threats within the next 15 years than environmental concerns. According to the World Bank report published on Sunday, November 8, climate change has the potential to push more than an estimated 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030.

According to the report, climate change poses a threat to poverty stricken areas across the world, mainly the Sub-Saharan African and South Asian countries. The report stated that the main concern from climate shocks is that it directly affects agriculture and the amount produced, causing food prices to increase.

The World Bank stated that global warming patterns could potentially create a direct correlation to an increase in diseases, and the number of people who are at risk of contracting malaria if warming continues on a global level of 2-3 degrees Celsius.

The world bank anticipates that water scarcity would also have a negative impact on water quality and hygiene. “The result would be an estimated 48,000 additional deaths among children under the age of 15 resulting rom diarrheal illness by 2030,” according to the report.

The World Bank is encouraging the continuation of rapid development that is also climate-informed. “This includes continuing and expanding programs that reduce poverty while increasing people’s capacity to prepare for and cope with shocks.” The World Bank used the Hunger Safety Net Program as an example in Kenya that “prevented an estimated five percent in poverty among beneficiaries following the 2011 drought.”

Preparing climate-proof agriculture and targeted climate adaptation measures, “such as protective infrastructure, like dikes and drainage systems and mangrove restoration” will help combat potential flooding and sea-level rise.

The World Bank states that in a continued effort to reduce the severity of the impacts of the climate shock, governments should ideally develop “mitigation policies” to specifically protect those who are in danger of its effect.

An infographic depicting the World Bank's report and prediction of 100 million people who could suffer from extreme poverty due to the effects of global climate change.
An infographic depicting the World Bank’s report and prediction of 100 million people who could suffer from extreme poverty due to the effects of global climate change.