Analyzing the correlation between climate change vulnerability and multi-dimensionally poverty in the Indian context

Proceedings of The 3rd World Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming

Year: 2023

DOI:

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Analyzing the correlation between climate change vulnerability and multi-dimensionally poverty in the Indian context

Fatima Mumtaz

ABSTRACT: 

The impact of global warming on temperature and precipitation patterns is affecting the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The increase in rate of occurrence and higher severity of these disasters implies an increasing threat to loss of life and rising residual impact on the wellbeing of people. And in this crisis, the poorest countries, which contribute the least to climate change, are being impacted the most. Studies have found that inequality positions poorest groups to not only a higher chance of exposure to climate hazards, but also an increased susceptibility to the damages caused and a decreased ability to recuperate from the damages endured. This paper attempts to conduct an analysis to understand how inequality (measured through multidimensional poverty) and climate change are correlated in the context of India. For India, district-level analysis shows a statistically significant correlation of climate vulnerability to deprivation in assets, electricity and education. For the highly climate vulnerable and multi-dimensionally poor state of Bihar, analysis reveals strong correlation of climate change in rural areas with deprivation in having a bank account, adequate housing, access to electricity, safe sanitation facility and education. This analysis strengthens the argument that policy makers must consider the climate vulnerability and inequality linkages while formulating policies and processes for disaster management and disaster risk reduction.

keywords: climate change adaptation, disaster management, multidimensional poverty, disaster management, climate change policies