Adapt or Perish in Climate Change: The Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change

 The Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change

Displacement of people is one of the impacts of climate change

Climate change has numerous debilitating impacts that are not evenly distributed across the globe. Low-income communities, Indigenous peoples, women, residents of developing nations, and other vulnerable populations bear the brunt of climate impacts despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. This disparity underscores the inherent injustice of the climate crisis and the urgency of responding to these disproportionate impacts through and with equitable solutions. This section studies how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable and marginalized populations. It examines regional disparities, urban-rural inequalities, and the intersecting vulnerabilities of specific groups.

Regional Disparities in Climate Vulnerability

Climate change affects all regions of the world, but the severity of its impacts varies greatly depending on geographical, economic, and social factors. Developing nations in the Global South are often the most brutally hit despite contributing minimally to historical carbon emissions.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Small island developing states (SIDS), including the Maldives, Tuvalu, and Fiji, face existential threats due to rising sea levels that threaten their entire communities. Coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather events make sustaining their livelihoods and infrastructure increasingly challenging for these nations.

A significant finding from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR, 2020) indicates that SIDS experience a higher average relative mortality from natural disasters compared to other regions. Depending on the scenario, some islands have projected sea level rise impacts affecting up to 100% of their land area by the end of the century.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture, limited economic resources, and weak infrastructure. The region experiences significant economic losses, with estimates indicating it could lose between 2% and 3% of its GDP annually by 2050. A report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2020) highlighted that climate change-related impacts such as drought, flooding, and diminishing resources are projected to escalate, particularly affecting sectors such as agriculture, which is central to the livelihoods of many in the region.

South Asia

Countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are experiencing severe heatwaves, monsoon variability, and flooding. In Bangladesh, rising sea levels and cyclones have displaced millions of people, creating a growing population of climate refugees. India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are significantly affected by climate change, with studies indicating that approximately 75% of the population in Bangladesh, 60% in India, and 70% in Pakistan are highly vulnerable to various climate impacts, including floods, heatwaves, and changing rainfall patterns (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2020).

Arctic Regions

Indigenous communities in the Arctic are witnessing rapid environmental changes due to melting sea ice, thawing permafrost, and shifting ecosystems. These changes threaten traditional ways of life and cultural identities. It is estimated that climate change could affect these communities by over 40% in terms of their traditional livelihoods and cultural practices (Krupnik et al., 2019).

Urban and Rural Inequalities

Climate impacts differ between urban and rural areas, often exacerbating existing inequalities.

Urban Vulnerabilities

In cities, low-income communities are more likely to live in informal settlements or poorly constructed housing, making them vulnerable to flooding, heat waves, and air pollution. Urban heat islands, where temperatures in cities are significantly higher than in surrounding rural areas, disproportionately affect marginalized groups with limited access to cooling or green spaces.

Rural Challenges

Rural areas in many developing countries face unique challenges, as they heavily rely on natural resources and have limited access to climate-resilient infrastructure and services. Farmers and pastoralists face threats from changing rainfall patterns, extended droughts, and land degradation in these vulnerable rural areas.

Urban and rural inequalities due to climate change are increasingly being documented, revealing significant disparities in vulnerability and adaptation capabilities. For instance, Gunter et al. (2021) study outlines that rural areas often lack access to resources and infrastructure necessary for effective climate adaptation, resulting in higher susceptibility to climate impacts than urban areas. The study found that rural communities face challenges such as limited financial resources, lower levels of education, and fewer social networks, which impede their ability to respond to climate threats.

In contrast, urban areas may experience different challenges, including higher exposure to extreme heat and flooding, yet they often have better access to emergency services and infrastructure. These disparities highlight the complex landscape of vulnerability that varies between urban and rural settings due to climate change (Gunter et al., 2021).

Access to Resources

Access to various resources, including healthcare, emergency services, and climate-resilient infrastructure, is better in urban areas than in rural regions. However, marginalized groups within urban settings still face barriers to accessing these resources, which need targeted interventions.

Intersectional Vulnerabilities

Specific populations face compounded vulnerabilities due to the intersection of climate impacts with existing social, economic, and cultural inequalities.

Women

Women, particularly in developing nations, are disproportionately affected by climate change because they are often responsible for securing water, food, and energy for their households. Also, women face an increasing workload due to environmental degradation and resource scarcity, and are exposed to more risks, such as waterborne diseases and gender-based violence during displacement.

Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous communities are deeply connected to their natural environments, relying on ecosystems for their livelihoods, culture, and spirituality. Climate change upsets the balance of these ecosystems, posing threats to Indigenous people's ways of life. Despite being recognized as stewards of biodiversity, Indigenous communities need to secure formal land rights, which often threaten them with displacement due to resource extraction, deforestation via logging, and expansion of corporate farming.

Children and the Elderly

Children are particularly susceptible to the health impacts of climate change, including malnutrition, heat stress, and waterborne diseases. Similarly, the elderly face higher risks during extreme weather events, such as heat waves and hurricanes, due to mobility limitations and pre-existing health conditions.

Globally, women, Indigenous peoples, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It is estimated that women represent about 70% of those most affected by climate-related disasters, while Indigenous peoples often experience disproportionate impacts due to their reliance on natural resources. Children are highly vulnerable, with studies indicating that over 500 million children are at extreme risk from climate change, and elderly individuals face unique challenges due to health-related vulnerabilities (United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF], 2021).

Climate Refugees and Displacement (216 million)

Climate change's most visible, disproportionate consequence and impact is the rising climate-induced displacement among vulnerable communities. By 2050, the World Bank projects that up to 216 million people could be displaced within their own countries due to climate-related factors such as sea level rise, desertification, and extreme weather events (World Bank, 2021).

Displacement within countries often leads to rapid urbanization as rural populations migrate to cities for safety and opportunities. Internal displacement is a concern that aggravates the strain on already overstretched urban infrastructure and services. Climate change refugees challenge the existing legal frameworks and create geopolitical tensions as they cross international borders.

Currently, international law leaves climate refugees without any adequate protection, support, or favorable conditions, as it does not formally recognize climate refugees.

According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), approximately 50.8 million people were internally displaced due to climate-related disasters by the end of 2021 (IDMC, 2022). Climate change not only drives people from their homes but also affects the socio-economic structures of host communities, often leading to increased competition for resources, social tensions, and strained public services.

Regarding cross-border migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has estimated that if current trends continue, there could be more than 200 million climate refugees by 2030 (UNHCR, 2020). The influx of displaced communities sometimes creates social tensions and conflict, as their circumstances lead to competition for resources, jobs, and housing in host countries or communities.

Climate Inequality Within Developed Nations

Even in developed countries, the impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed. Low-income communities, people of color, and Indigenous populations often face the greatest risks.

Environmental Racism

Marginalized communities are more likely to live near polluting industries, such as coal plants or oil refineries, exposing them to higher levels of air and water pollution. For example, in the United States, communities of color are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards, a phenomenon known as environmental racism.

Access to Climate Resilience

Wealthier individuals and neighborhoods are better equipped to adapt to climate impacts, such as installing air conditioning or relocating to safer areas. Conversely, availability and access to climate-resilient resources for low-income communities are scarce due to a lack of resources to invest in climate-resilient measures, which perpetuates the cycles of vulnerability.

Research indicates that marginalized communities often face greater exposure to environmental hazards and have less access to resources to adapt to climate change, resulting in systemic disparities. For instance, it has been reported that Black and Indigenous communities in the U.S. experience disproportionately higher levels of air pollution, which is a contributing factor to health inequalities exacerbated by climate change (Braveman et al., 2017).

According to the Climate Justice Alliance (CJA, 2019), low-income and marginalized communities in developed nations are often excluded from climate resilience planning, resulting in a substantial gap in their ability to cope with climate impacts. Being left out highlights the interconnectedness of social injustices and environmental issues, where 40% of the U.S. population lives in areas at high risk of climate-related disasters (CJA, 2019).

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Adapt or Perish in Climate Change: Social and Economic Impacts

 The Human Toll: Social and Economic Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change impacts the economy, environment, and health of all living things

We can all agree that the human dimension of climate change includes various challenges (and opportunities), such as health issues, economic disruptions, migration crises, agriculture and food production, and increased social inequalities. While discussions more often focus on the environmental impacts of climate change, the consequences for human societies are also very disruptive and extensive. This section discusses how rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing ecosystems affect human lives and livelihoods, stressing the interconnected nature of climate and society.

Public Health Implications

Climate change breeds a significant public health crisis, aggravating pre-existing health challenges and generating novel health issues. The alterations in environmental conditions brought about by climate change — such as increased air pollution, extreme weather events, and shifting patterns of infectious diseases — compound vulnerabilities in populations, leading to a rise in respiratory diseases, heat-related illnesses, and other health complications. Furthermore, socioeconomic disparities may amplify these effects, necessitating a comprehensive approach to mitigate the health impacts associated with climate fluctuations.

Heat-Related Illnesses and Deaths  

As global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves are escalating. For instance, a record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in 2021 resulted in hundreds of heat-related fatalities, highlighting the severe implications of extreme heat. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk. Heat-related illnesses and deaths are estimated to account for around 25% of all climate-related health risks (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022).

Vector-Borne Diseases (700,000/annum)

The rise in temperatures and alterations in precipitation patterns are expanding the habitats of disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. This shift facilitates the spread of illnesses like malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease into previously unaffected areas, presenting substantial public health challenges (Githeko et al., 2000). For example, the warming climate is projected to increase malaria transmission in highland regions of Africa and South America. The recent figures indicate that vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide, resulting in over 700,000 deaths annually (WHO). The burden of vector-borne diseases continues to rise as climate change alters the habitats of vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks.

Air Quality and Respiratory Illnesses (7% and 5% globally)

Climate change worsens air quality, as increasing temperatures lead to increased formation of ground-level ozone. Moreover, wildfires and forest fires, intensified by climate warming, emit particulate matter contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. A notable example is the 2020 Australian bushfires, which increased hospital admissions for respiratory conditions due to fire (Johnston et al., 2021). Recent studies indicate that air pollution, exacerbated by climate change, is responsible for approximately 7% of respiratory illnesses and about 5% of cardiovascular diseases globally (World Health Organization, 2021).

Food and Water Security

Climate change disrupts food production and water availability in agricultural areas, resulting in a lack of food, increasing poverty, malnutrition, and associated health consequences. The recent and unusual prolonged droughts, such as those in the Horn of Africa, diminish crop yields and livestock productivity. At the same time, the decreasing amount of water supplies heightens the risk of waterborne diseases. It has been reported that around 30% of the world's population experiences high water stress, and food security is severely affected, with an estimated 811 million people undernourished in 2020, reflecting a concerning trend due to climate factors (FAO, 2021).

Economic Costs ($23 trillion)

Climate change presents a daunting challenge to economies around the world, impacting various sectors, from agriculture to tourism. The financial repercussions of failing to address this issue will likely outweigh the investments needed for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. By proactively implementing sustainable practices and renewable energy solutions, we can protect our economies and foster resilience in the face of environmental changes. It is estimated that climate change could cost the global economy $23 trillion by 2050 if no action is taken to mitigate its effects (NCE, 2019). These figures underline the disproportionate impact on nations with limited resources, exacerbating existing inequalities.

Damage to Infrastructure ($167 billion)

The hurricanes that hit the United States just before the presidential elections in 2024 demonstrate how much damage climate change can cause, even to strong nations. Extreme weather events brought about by climate change, such as hurricanes, floods, shifting landmass, rising seawater, and wildfires, inflict extensive infrastructure damage. In 2022, the United States experienced approximately $165 billion in damages from 22 climate-related disasters (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2023). Coastal cities face potential losses of billions due to rising sea levels, with countries like Bangladesh and numerous island nations being particularly vulnerable.

Impacts on Agriculture

The impact of climate change on farmers has devastating effects at various levels. The increasing temperature levels, precipitation patterns, and growing seasons disrupt agricultural production, endangering food security and livelihoods. In Sub-Saharan Africa, erratic rainfall patterns have led to diminishing crop yields. At the same time, regions in North America have suffered significant declines in wheat and corn production due to persistent droughts.

Insurance and Financial Markets

Climate change can disrupt insurance systems and financial markets. The rising frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters are straining insurance markets. Insurers are burdened with increased claims, resulting in higher premiums and limited coverage options for high-risk areas. The Swiss Re Institute (2021) projects that if no action is taken, climate change could decrease global GDP by as much as 18% by 2050.

Economic Inequality

The economic repercussions of climate change are disproportionately felt. Developing nations contribute the least to global emissions and are frequently the most adversely affected due to their limited resources and inadequate infrastructure. This divergence exacerbates global inequalities, obstructing development and stalling economic progress.

According to a report by the World Bank, climate change could push around 130 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, highlighting the severe economic repercussions faced by developing countries (World Bank, 2021).

Displacement and Migration (216 million people)

Climate change is increasingly becoming the worst driver of human displacement, forcing millions to evacuate to secure sites or abandon their homes due to environmental and landscape changes and extreme weather events.

Climate Refugees  

Rising sea levels, desertification, and natural disasters contribute to the emergence of climate refugees—individuals compelled to migrate because of adverse environmental conditions. According to the World Bank (2021), up to 216 million people will be displaced by climate change by 2050, particularly in vulnerable regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

Urbanization and Overcrowding  

As rural areas become uninhabitable due to droughts, floods, or soil degradation, many individuals relocate to urban centers, resulting in overcrowding and increased pressure on infrastructure and resources. For instance, Dhaka, Bangladesh, is experiencing rapid urbanization driven by rural displacement caused by flooding and salinity intrusion (UNEP, 2022).

Geopolitical Tensions

There are well-documented cases of people migrating from one area, region, or country due to climate change. Climate-induced migration can intensify geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions with limited resources. It forces masses of people to abandon their harsh and inhospitable environment for areas, regions, or even territories not their own. For example, competition over water resources in the Middle East and North Africa has been linked to conflicts exacerbated by climate stress (Hsiang et al., 2013).

Climate Inequality and Vulnerable Populations

The impacts of climate change disproportionately affect marginalized communities, worsening existing inequalities and introducing new vulnerabilities.

Global North vs. Global South  

Countries in the Global South, historically contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions, suffer the most severe consequences of climate change. Their limited financial resources, technological capabilities, and infrastructure limit them from adapting to these changing conditions (UNEP, 2022).

Indigenous Communities

Indigenous peoples, who often inhabit climate-sensitive regions such as the Arctic, forests, and deserts, suffer heightened vulnerability due to the impacts of climate change. For example, the diminishing amount of food immediately available and other natural resources limit them to survive using non-sophisticated technologies. The threat posed by environmental changes and displacement jeopardizes their traditional knowledge and practices that serve a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. According to the United Nations (2018), it is estimated that around 370 million Indigenous peoples globally are directly affected by climate change, facing increased risks to their livelihoods and cultural practices.

Women and Children

Women and children represent some of the most vulnerable groups in regions affected by climate change. Women, who are typically the primary caregivers and providers of food and water, encounter increased workloads and suffer health risks. Fetching water takes longer as the nearby water wells dry up. Vulnerable children are at greater risk of malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and heat stress, which can have long-term implications for their development, overall well-being, and future.

The number of women and children affected by climate change is substantial, with estimates indicating that up to 1 billion women and children could face increased vulnerabilities due to climate impacts. According to a report by the United Nations (2021), climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, placing additional burdens on these groups regarding health, nutrition, and access to resources.

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