Climate change, disaster risk: Asian action critical - Opinion

"So far, few developing Asian countries have focused on disaster risks in their economic development plans. As a region, we no longer have a choice. We must invest in disaster prevention—not only in infrastructure, but also in the region’s social development. Neglecting the looming threats of increased weather-related disasters will put millions of Asia’s most vulnerable people at increased risk of poverty, ill health and premature death. This issue must be brought to the forefront at the 18th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which runs until Dec. 7 in Doha, Qatar, through enhanced discussion, consideration of innovative solutions, and commitments to act," writes Bindu N. Lohani is the vice president for knowledge management and sustainable development of the Asian Development Bank on the pages of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.