A new study that links global warming with inequality must prompt world leaders to raise their fight against climate change. In the Indian context, we need region-specific and customised policies besides awareness drives

The spectre of climate change has spread its tentacles far beyond the ambit of the environment. As global warming and Green House Gas emissions scale new heights, their aftershocks are being felt across new quarters. According to a recent Stanford University study, global warming has increased economic inequality since the 1960s. Changes in temperature caused due to climate change have not only enriched cooler countries like Norway and Sweden but also dragged down economic growth of warmer countries such as India and Nigeria. These observations are disturbing since India specifically features in the report.

According to the study, Canada and Norway witnessed per capita growth of more than 30 per cent due to global warming. On the other hand, economies of India and Sudan have become over 30 per cent smaller than what it would have been if there was no global warming.

Researchers at the university examined 50 years of annual temperature data as well as GDP from 165 countries during the same time period to analyse effects of temperature fluctuations on economic growth. By looking at 20 different climate models, the team determined how much each nation had already warmed between 1961 to 2010. The team also calculated 20,000 versions of what a nation’s economic output would have been if climate change was not a factor. Post the examination of the data, researchers came to the conclusion that crop yield and people’s health are better when it’s neither too hot nor too cold.

This means that in countries which witness cold conditions, little warming can help. The opposite is true for places that are warm. So, ironically, countries with high historical emissions are among those that have enjoyed the highest per capita GDP and fastest economic growth since the 1960s. On the other hand, global warming reduced per capita income in the poorest countries by 17-30 per cent. The researchers claimed that climate change has brought few of the largest economies to perfect temperature for economic output, while some smaller nations are taking the hit.

However, the good news for developed economies is only short lived for if uncontrolled global warming continues, it will push the big economies further away from the ideal temperature optimum, thus changing the entire economic scenario again. So, even though the impacts of rising global temperatures may seem smaller year to year, they can yield dramatic gains or losses over the next 30 to 50 years. The study emphasised on the importance of improving sustainable energy access for the purpose of economic development of the poorer countries.

No matter how climate change fuels economic inequalities, it is also true that economic and social inequalities, too, are exacerbating climate change conditions. It is, in fact, a vicious cycle. In order to arrive at a sustainable solution, it is crucial to understand that social and economic inequality itself can act as drivers of climate change.

Several researches in the past few decades have shown that unequal societies inflict more environmental damage than more economical ones. One key issue that is still being overlooked is how environmental degradation and climate change are the toxic byproducts of our inequality problem.

There is also an urgent need to get a grasp of the link between climate change and inequality. Many people, who live in low-income communities, for example, cannot afford to retrofit their homes to make them more energy-efficient.  Meaning, they use more power than necessary, thus generating more pollution.

Strategies for controlling climate change and ensuring economic equality that are in consonance with environmental principles have to be tailor-made and region specific. This due to the fact that every country and region has its own peculiarities and differentiating features.

India must understand that global policies to control climate change and ensure economic equality are not directly applicable for conditions over here. The problem of poverty is deep-rooted in our country and can only be weeded out through a customised solution. To ensure that climate change does not further wreak economic havoc, the agricultural sector would have to be insulated against the vagaries of climate change.

Additionally, the impact of climate change in urban India will have to be valued economically and damage assessments must be done at regular intervals. This is crucial because one cannot improve something when it is not quantified.

The Government must also embark on an awareness campaign that seeks to educate the people about their financial well-being. They must be told that their position in the society is dependent on their carbon footprint. This will encourage the masses to seek environmentally-friendly solutions for their energy and transportation needs. An aware population that has embarked on an eco-friendly way of life can turn the clock back on climate change and start restoring the temperatures to previous levels. All of this is possible through a hybrid collaboration of the legislature and the judiciary.

Socio-economic inequalities as a result of climate change are not new and were long expected. What is concerning though is the alarming rate at which this is taking place, leaving no room for evasive action by humanity. This is worrisome and has to be resolved at the earliest. The beginning, as always, will have to be at the grassroot level by adopting sustainable development solutions.

(The writer is an environmental  journalist)