Prof Junaid Jazib
Humanity is faced with scores of environmental problems at present. Most of them are, unfortunately, very immense and severe in their magnitude and consequences. Pollutions, overpopulation, waste disposal, nuclear hazards, ecological disturbances, genetic erosion, energy crises, natural resource depletion, etc are among the grave issues constantly hovering overhead as the indicators of a very gloomy situation ahead. Climate change is yet another global environmental problem which is likely to affect man and the life support system present on the earth. It poses a multifaceted challenge for the mankind and can altogether change the planet we inhabit. Rising earth’s average temperature, extreme and unexpected weather conditions and changes in seasonal patterns at local, regional and global scales have symptomatically already announced the onset of the climate change. The multidimensional effects of climatic changes at local and global level have started developing and impinging on humans and other life forms. ‘Adaptation’ is the most frequent phrase one comes across in the worldwide discussions on the climate change and its management. Devising of and switching over to new farming practices, choosing unusual occupations, changing food habits, adapting to newer lifestyles, etc are, in fact, part of the adaptive strategies people espouse to deal with unanticipated weather extremities. Compliance and adaptability to the changing environment is undoubtedly the best viable strategy for survival but they work within certain limits. Where adaptation does not seem working or becomes impracticable, living organisms have to opt for some other approach to ensure their continued existence. Owing to the changing climate, in most vulnerable parts of the world, people may find it impossible to continue living in the areas they have been living since generations. Migration thus comes out to be the new strategy to avoid losses or fatality. Climatic changes having shown pronounced effects in certain parts of the world are inducing mass migrations of animals, birds and humans. Unlike other creatures, man is reasonably quicker in perceiving and responding in case of some danger nearing him. Changing climate is thus not only disrupting ecological balance and harming ecosystem services but also snatching homelands and livelihoods from the vulnerable human groups. Rising sea levels, scarcity of food and water, increasing events of disasters, etc-all having their root causes in the adversities of changing climatic conditions-are forcing human displacements in various parts of the world. Unfortunately the most vulnerable group in this regard are the communities who are already the world’s most disadvantaged people and who interestingly have no role in global warming or environmental pollution. In 2005, a thousand residents of the Carteret Islands in Papua New Guinea had to be relocated about 100 km away to another, a bit larger, Island because of storm and salt water intrusion. In 2006, the entire Lohachara Island in Hoogly river delta was submerged under water again causing displacement of thousands of residents. The north Indian tribals and nomads, one among the most susceptible groups facing weather calamities, are complaining of their habitations being snatched by the climatic changes. They report a steep increase in frequency and intensity of losses owing to weather adversaries during the recent years. Crop failures in some areas have forced the villagers in large numbers to move towards cities in search of new jobs. Increasing incidents of drought and flood are forcing inhabitants in our kandi belts to leave their homes for the neighboring areas. Worldwide assessments show climate induced migrations rising to 1 billion by 2050. India is one of the countries where climate induced migrations are bound to become an issue. The fragile Himalayan region in the north, desert of the west and as the coastal region in the south are likely to be caught in the climate change related disastrous situation. The populations in these areas will have to become climate refugees.
Though the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted as earlier as in 1992 that ‘the single greatest impact of climate change might be on human migration.’’ But very little care has been taken since then to substantively include the issue within the core discussions on the climate change. Substantial information is lacking on the grave issue of climate forced human migration as no extensive research has been carried out in this regard.
Climate induced human migration is an issue of very critical nature for the mankind. It demands immediate attention from the international community for its effective and productive redressal. All aspects of this grave human issue need to be researched and taken into account in the sustainable developmental roadmaps. Substantial and systematic research requires to be undertaken to determine the actual and the likely scenario of the problem. It is the scientific findings that provide important decision-making basis in any issue. There may be numbers of other supplementary factors associated with the emergence of climate related issues. In such cases, thus, proper handling of the other cumulative problems automatically solves the problem of climate forced displacement. Reversing or at least halting the environmental degradation in the vulnerable regions should form an important part of the plan chalked out to deal with climate related issues. Where such migrations are unavoidable, appropriate strategies must be in place well in time for cooperative and coordinated line of actions. People forced to take this toughest path for their safe survival deserve a serious consideration for getting equal rights and proper livelihoods.
The recently concluded 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) of UNFCCC in Paris has shown a ray of hope for, today’s as well as tomorrow’s, climate refugees. The issue has been discussed in a detailed manner and thus, also forms part of the draft Paris agreement. However, fate of this optimism depends on how seriously and sincerely the 195 participating parties take the issue and what political response comes from them. This time, the COP, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiation, aims to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement regarding framework of action plan on climate change.
(The author is HoD Environmental Science GDC Thannamandi)
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