The idea that "climate change isn’t that bad yet" is a deeply privileged perspective, one rooted largely in the comforts of the United States and other wealthy nations. This notion ignores the brutal reality already faced by millions of people across the globe. In truth, certain regions of the world have become fundamentally unlivable due to the accelerating impacts of climate change, with deadly consequences for those who call these places home.

Consider the Horn of Africa, where recurrent droughts have led to severe water scarcity and crop failures. In Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, millions are at risk of starvation as agricultural systems collapse under the weight of unrelenting heat and inconsistent rainfall. For these communities, the question is no longer about adapting to climate change; it’s about survival in the face of irreversible loss.

In South Asia, rising temperatures are pushing heat indices to levels incompatible with human life. The summer of 2022 saw heatwaves in Pakistan and India reach temperatures of 120°F (49°C), making outdoor work—a necessity for many—dangerous, if not fatal. Combined with high humidity, these heatwaves create "wet bulb" conditions, where the human body can no longer cool itself effectively. Scientists warn that such events are becoming more frequent and severe, forcing entire populations into life-or-death decisions about migration.

Meanwhile, low-lying island nations like Kiribati and the Maldives are grappling with the relentless rise of sea levels. Coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion are destroying agricultural lands and contaminating freshwater supplies, rendering some areas uninhabitable. For these nations, "climate change isn’t that bad yet" is a phrase that reeks of indifference. The question they face is not about the distant future—it’s whether their countries will exist at all in the coming decades.

This disparity highlights a crucial flaw in the climate narrative: it is often shaped by the perspectives of those who can afford to ignore the worst impacts. In countries like the United States, where wealth and infrastructure act as temporary shields, it’s easy to underestimate the immediacy of the crisis. Yet, for millions of people across the world, climate change is not a distant threat but a present, life-altering reality. Recognizing that parts of the world are already unlivable reframes the conversation, challenging us to see the crisis not through a lens of privilege, but as the shared and urgent global challenge it is.