Option (a) can be inferred from the passage's discussion about how poverty affects a country's ability to implement adaptation measures, leading to developing countries struggling to provide protection from escalating disasters. The passage states, 'Poverty affects each. Many developing countries struggle to provide basic services let alone protections from escalating disasters in a warmer future.' This implies that these countries are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of heat waves due to their limited resources and infrastructure. The passage also mentions, 'The compounding effects of economic, institutional and political factors cause a lag in low-income countries' ability to adapt to the changing climate.' These factors contribute to a lag in adaptation efforts, suggesting that poorer countries face greater challenges in responding to heat waves compared to wealthier nations.
Options (b), (c) and (d) are not directly supported by the passage because it does not explicitly discuss the disruption of economic development, social stability, or intergenerational equity. The passage also does not mention any strain on healthcare systems or public education campaigns or community engagement initiatives.
Option (e) is incorrect. The passage does not suggest that adaptation measures like cooling centres are ineffective for poor populations. Instead, it highlights that poor countries may struggle to implement adaptation measures due to factors like poverty, governance issues, and lack of resources. Therefore, this inference is not supported by the passage. Hence, (a) is the correct answer.
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