KARACHI - Countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been urged to draw long-term solutions and invest more in green technology to combat the adverse effects of climate change, reports the Asian Development Bank. The Asia Pacific region already accounts for about a third of global greenhouse emissions. More importantly in the region are other significant cities which will be hit hard by the climate change effect including Karachi. Asias share of global greenhouse gas emissions could even run up to more than 40 per cent by 2030, quickly making this region the main driver of climate change. With economic development taking strides, there has been a rise in environmental pollution as well including greenhouse gas emissions. But scientists have warned that even if the emissions are halted, the effects of climatic change will continue for seven more decades. According to the ADB, reducing gas emissions to sustainable levels is the key with Asias response deemed as most critical since the regions sharp economic growth in recent decades has made it the fastest growing source of new emissions and it will soon be the largest absolute source. It even noted that the region is the most vulnerable to climate change in terms of fresh water supply, crop yields, coastal and marine ecosystems, and employment, among others. More assertively, the impact of climate change has been aggravated by multiple stressors such as population growth and conflict. It further highlights that rising temperatures and extreme weather would likely reduce crop yields by as much as 10 per cent as early as 2020, putting 132 million people at risk of extreme hunger by 2050. Global consensus already tells us that 1.2 billion people could experience freshwater scarcity by 2020, adds ADB. Fresh water supply is expected to decrease in Southeast, Central, East and South Asia. Experts also urged developed countries to reduce gas emissions by 2020, as much as by 40 per cent to avoid adverse effects of global warming, which is expected to lead to floods, higher sea levels, droughts and worsening storms. A total of 24-34 per cent of coral reefs would likely be lost while the regions coastal mega cities, which included Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, Karachi, Mumbai and Shanghai will face increased flooding and damage from unpredictable weather patterns. Although 75 per cent of the power sector gas emissions in 2020 were already locked in, investments in the next decade would be critical to a low carbon future in the longer term, ADB said. To help countries make adjustments and adaptations to counter climate change, ADB has developed a three-pronged strategy. For one, it is now analysing climate change consequences and identifying cost effective measures to improve infrastructure and shield populations from adverse impacts. It is now earmarked Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta and Kolkata for its analysis. Secondly, ADB has now climate proofing infrastructure and project designs to ensure they take into account predicted future changes and other negative climate events. Finally, it has outlined defensive measures to reduce climate change impacts particularly in Central Asia, where it is helping countries develop drought-resistant crops, improve irrigation, among others.