New Delhi, Jan. 27 -- Global warming will create a stark new divide between rich and poor nations: Countries in colder climates, typically wealthy nations, will see heating needs plummet while nations in warmer regions, typically poorer, face surging demand for air conditioning, according to a new study.

The research, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, reveals that Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway will experience the steepest declines in heating demand as temperatures rise. Meanwhile, India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Philippines - home to billions of people with limited resources - will bear the brunt of soaring cooling needs.

"Our study shows most of the changes in cooling and heating deman...