Countries most and least likely to survive the effects of climate change

SCIENTISTS have worked out which countries are most likely to survive the effects of climate change... and those that won’t. Australia’s standing will surprise you.

withered dead tree in desert landscape background

AMERICAN researchers have worked out which countries are most likely to survive the effects of climate change... and which will struggle to cope.

A team at the University of Notre Dame in the US has created the ND-Gain Index, based on data collected since 1995, measuring 192 UN countries according to two variables — vulnerability to the effects of climate change and readiness to adapt reported diply.

Research ... Countries most likely and least likely to survive severe climate change. Picture: The eco experts

Australians can breathe a sigh of relief. The map, created by The Eco Experts, shows we are pretty well placed to cope.

The top 10 most likely to cope

1. Norway

2. New Zealand

3. Sweden

4. Finland

5. Denmark

6. Australia

7. United Kingdom

8. United States

9. Germany

10. Iceland

Jonathan Whiting at the Eco Experts blog said the map shows that many countries in Asia and Africa are least likely to be able to cope with the effects of climate change.

Temperatures dry out ... Climates sour as the weather shifts. Picture: Supplied.

“The map also shows that countries in the West, who are arguably most responsible for causing climate change, are less vulnerable and better prepared, making them most likely to survive the severe impacts of climate change.”

When measuring factors, vulnerability was split into measurements of ecosystem services, food, health, human habitat, infrastructure, water, adaptive capacity, exposure and sensitivity.

Readiness was measured according to three factors — economic, governance, and social readiness.

The data was collected over 18 years, between 1995 and 2013, and is based on roughly half a million data points.

“With climate change described as one of the greatest challenges of our time, the impacts of destructive changes in temperature, rainfall and agriculture will affect every country. These findings highlight the need for richer, more technologically advanced nations to help less developed countries,” said Whiting.

“Ultimately there will be no winners from the effects of climate change, every country will be impacted in some way. Just how much depends on the decisions made now by world leaders.”