Addressing social and economic inequality will help mitigate the effects of climate change and achieve climate justice
Post Date – 12:15 AM, Sat – 4/1/23
go through Dr Sonar Mobal Roy
India is one of the world’s largest carbon dioxide emitters, ranking third after China and the United States. The country’s large population and rapid economic growth in recent years have led to its significant carbon emissions. According to estimates from the Global Carbon Project, India’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2019 were about 2.6 billion tons, accounting for about 7% of global carbon emissions. The main sources of carbon emissions in India are energy production, transportation and industrial activities.
However, energy efficiency initiatives have been hampered by the country’s continued dependence on coal and other fossil fuels, as well as challenges related to infrastructure and financing. India’s per capita carbon dioxide emissions have soared in recent decades, from 0.39 tons in 1970 to 1.9 tons in 2021.
unvoiced part
Climate justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of climate change and its impacts among individuals and communities, especially those who contribute least to the problem. Here, “least” refers to the most marginalized, poorest, most disadvantaged, most vulnerable and most voiceless segments of society who have limited or no access to resources that actually lead to carbon emissions. It recognizes that some communities are disproportionately affected by the causes and effects of climate change.
It is well documented that developing countries are disproportionately affected by natural disasters, both in terms of the number of people affected and the severity of the impact. Of the 7,348 disaster-related deaths globally between 2000 and 2019, 91% occurred in developing countries, according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Furthermore, most of the people affected by natural disasters such as floods, droughts, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes are from low- and middle-income countries.
It is important to remember that beyond the immediate loss of life, natural disasters can have far-reaching and long-lasting impacts such as infrastructure destruction, population displacement, loss of livelihoods and economic disruption, leading to significant social and economic consequences.
direct connection
Since not everyone is equally affected by climate change, there is a direct link between climate justice and social justice. Vulnerable and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and least able to adapt to its impacts. In addition to being more vulnerable to catastrophic weather events, disease outbreaks and displacement, these populations may lack access to resources such as food, water, shelter and medical assistance.
Therefore, addressing underlying social and economic inequalities is necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change and achieve climate justice. This requires addressing issues such as poverty, prejudice and unequal access to opportunities and resources.
Global inequality has generally increased, and the gap between developed and developing countries has gradually widened. With a population of 6,34,000, Luxembourg is the richest country on the list, with a per capita GDP of nearly $1,30,000, while Burundi’s GDP per capita is believed to be only $308 – a strong explanation for the disparity that exists globally. Global ratings firm Moody’s Investors Service The investor services company raised its growth forecast for India in 2023 to 6.5 percent in 2024 from 4.8 percent in November 2022, and India’s growth rate is expected to be the highest among G20 countries in 2023. However, this does nothing to sidestep our larger questions of justice.
intersectionality is crucial
Intersectionality helps us understand how multiple forms of social identity combine to shape a person’s experience. As global inequality grows, so does the injustice that comes with it. Gender, social status, economic status, social class, and nativeness overlap with these characteristics. The effects of climate change may make certain oppressions more vulnerable. Tribes, immigrant laborers, and seasonal farmers—all must face the brunt of climate change. From a gender perspective, women may have to bear more pressure. This is why intersectionality is so important.
We need a climate movement that includes and incorporates the voices of those who face the adverse effects of climate change. Given social, economic and demographic differences, it is necessary to say that for some countries, achieving the SDGs may be a challenge in itself. India is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its high population density, accelerating poverty rate and heavy reliance on agriculture and natural resources.
One of the most significant impacts of climate change on India is agriculture, which employs a large portion of the population and is critical to the country’s food security. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, extreme weather and frequent heat waves are all affecting crop yields and food production. This could have major economic and social impacts, especially for small farmers who are more vulnerable to these changes. Changes in rainfall patterns have led to exacerbated water shortages in many parts of the country, especially in areas that are already water-scarce, leading to water conflicts. This in turn affects mobile populations such as migrants, shepherds, etc., who have altered livelihood bases and better economic opportunities.
The role of policymakers
In response to these issues, the Indian government has enacted a series of laws and programs to increase the use of renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and encourage sustainable agriculture and water management techniques, and increase climate resilience. This can also bring together different groups by suggesting to reduce and control resource consumption, follow a reduce-reuse-recycle model, leave a smaller carbon footprint and make de-growth maps. However, protecting and maintaining the livelihoods of marginalized groups should be a priority. Campaigns, capacity building and mass mobilization are some of the ways in which climate justice and social justice can be achieved.
Translating voices into action by all sectors of society in an equitable manner is a challenge for policymakers. Critical decisions need to be made in a short period of time to forego the potentially devastating consequences of climate change. If we aspire to improve our ranking in the happiness index, we must note that justice is equally important and relevant. It is important for Millennials and Gen Z to take appropriate steps to stop climate change and seek social justice effortlessly. So the next time people succumb to perceived outmodedness, people might reflect on whether they are adding to the burden of injustice. (opinions are purely personal)
