Preface
In honour of International Development Week and the spring weather in February this year, let’s talk about climate change. Specifically, I wanted to bring some less talked about climate change issues to your attention. I find that in Canada – and the West in general – we have a tendency to worry only about what global warming means for us. When realistically, wealthy countries contribute the most to climate problems and will be affected the least. Moreover, we have the resources to readily adapt to climate change, a luxury that is not affordable worldwide. If environmental damage continues at this rate, repercussions will be seen on a larger scale. However, I think it is important to reflect on the communities that experience the most immediate and severe environmental effects, and what this means for the imminent future of millions.
Causes of Climate Change and Approaches
I find there is a common misconception that countries with lower income and means to tackle climate change issues are heavy polluters and contribute greatly to annual greenhouse gas emissions. However, The World Bank reports that the world’s 74 lowest-income countries are only responsible for one-tenth of greenhouse gas emissions. So, climate change comes from wealthy parts of the world which, conveniently, are prepared with plans to adapt.
Solutions such as early warning systems for natural disasters, climate-resilient infrastructure, water supply investment, etc. (United Nations Environment Programme, 2022) are contemporary approaches to climate change. Feasible solutions for those with the monetary means to do so. For others, not so much. Although environmental restoration, emission reduction, and other methods to “reverse” climate change are also seemingly on wealthy countries’ radar, there is a lack of action to achieve these more permanent solutions. With the ability to adapt, clearly, there is no rush. However, those facing the brunt of climate repercussions do not have this luxury.
Who Faces the Brunt of Climate Change?
Some may classify the areas most vulnerable to climate change as developing countries. However, as discussed in my post about the term “developing country,” I will no longer be using it. Instead, please see the map below for a visual of countries facing the most severe climate change challenges:
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Climate change is often portrayed in the media as an increase in natural disasters such as floods or droughts. Although there is an undeniable correlation between climate change and the increasing rate and severity of natural disasters, some areas are more susceptible and less equipped to recover. Thus, the vulnerable countries identified on this map are both at higher risk of environmental impact and unfortunately, may not have the means to recover and adapt as quickly as other countries.
What this Means
Many of these countries rely heavily on agriculture for local economic development and the livelihood of rural communities (Suresh et al., 2022). For those who rely on steady rainy seasons and predictable temperatures to produce an annual yield, climate change is an imminent threat (Agenda, 2023). In addition, there is a significant disparity in terms of access to technological advancements able to ease climate change adaptation. In other words, these countries have relied on traditional farming techniques to produce predictable yields each harvest season. With drastic changes to the climate, the most reliable solution to agricultural loss is modern technology that can assist with irrigation, climate-controlled areas, and other production tech to encourage crop growth (Suresh et al., 2022). The catch is that these things are expensive and not equitably accessible.
Changes in climate also lead to health complications for populations vulnerable to diseases such as malaria and diarrhea-related deaths, especially for children (Agenda, 2023). Fluctuations in water supply stemming from drought and flood can negatively impact access to drinkable water sources. As mentioned previously, access to food and viable farmland is threatened by drought and flood. The necessities of life are severely compromised for millions of people in at-risk locations. Naturally, this means that people will have to move to less harsh environments. Displaced persons due to climate-related reasons are often referred to as climate refugees, and this demographic is growing. By 2050, it is projected that “216 million climate refugees will have been displaced in six world regions” (Agenda, 2023). That is roughly 5.6 times the population of Canada. 216 million people will be displaced in under 26 years.
Conclusions
This post is much less opinion than it is fact. I don’t necessarily have any thought-provoking comments about this issue, other than to encourage reflection on why there isn’t more being done to combat climate change. I find that we (myself included, unfortunately) in the West are not nearly as concerned as we should be about climate change. In my opinion, this is likely because we are not the ones in immediate danger. The reality is that environmental degradation caused by the wealthiest countries will result in numerous deaths, displacement of families from their homes, and rob vulnerable populations of their livelihood. This fate is at the doorstep of people without defense. Without the resources to adapt and navigate these rapid and intense environmental changes caused by irresponsible nations thousands of kilometers away. So, perhaps this is the perspective to keep in mind when determining how little effort you feel you should be putting toward living a climate-conscious life… the concern is not really about you. At least, not yet.
Sources
Agenda, D. (2023, January 13). The climate crisis disproportionately hits the poor. How can we protect them? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/climate-crisis-poor-davos2023/
Ducker, J. (2021, July 19). Countries most susceptible to toxic pollution are also at highest risk from the impacts of global climate change. News Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210719/Countries-most-susceptible-to-toxic-pollution-are-also-at-highest-risk-from-the-impacts-of-global-climate-change.aspx
Suresh, K., Wilson, C., Managi, S., & Khanal, U. (2022, February 25). Climate Change Impacts on Developing Countries – Evidence from Sri Lanka. The London School of Economics and Political Science. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2022/02/25/climate-change-impacts-on-developing-countries-evidence-from-sri-lanka/
United Nations Environment Programme. (2022). 5 ways countries can adapt to the climate crisis. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/5-ways-countries-can-adapt-climate-crisis
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