Climate change: we must show the way - Local views: South Asia

Global warming as a result of climate change has raised the awareness and environmental consciousness of the global community. Whilst greenhouse gases and their effect on the environment may grace our news screen for a brief time, these issues, although important, have been overshadowed by more pressing concerns such as the global war on terror and the recent economic depression.

Whilst developing countries have, for some time, been facing the forces of nature of ever increasing severity, it was not until developed nations also began to come under such onslaught that the global community even acknowledged and responded to this challenge. Large scale floods in the United States, the wholesale destruction of New Orleans by hurricane Katrina and the uncharacteristic heat wave that hit Europe finally stirred into action those decision makers and influential thinkers of the West. 

It is now a well known fact that climate change is no longer an issue that may happen in the distant future. It is a reality already taking place around us and ironically the people in South Asian countries, particularly the poorest people, are most at risk. The impacts of higher temperatures, erratic rainfall, extreme weather patterns and significant rise in sea levels are being felt in South Asia, and unfortunately this will continue to intensify. These changes are having huge impacts on the lives and livelihoods of millions of poor people. The impacts arise not only from gradual changes in temperature and sea level but also, in particular, from increased climate variability and extremes, including more intense floods, droughts, and storms. 

Some of the future impacts include:

• Glacier melting in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding and will affect water resources within the next two to three decades.
• Climate change will compound the pressures on natural resources and the environment due to rapid urbanization, industrialization and economic development.
• Crop yields could decrease up to 30% in South Asia by mid-21st century.
• Mortality due to diarrhea primarily associated with floods and droughts will rise in South Asia.
• Sea-level rise will exacerbate inundation, storm surge, erosion and other coastal hazards.

The consequences of such environmental changes include:

• Decreased water availability and water quality in many arid and semi-arid regions
• Reduction in water regulation in mountain habitats
• Decreases in reliability of hydropower and biomass production
• Increased incidence of water-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and cholera
• Increased damages and deaths caused by extreme weather events
• Decreased agricultural productivity
• Adverse effects on many ecological systems

The importance of considering climate change when planning, designing and implementing development activities cannot be overemphasised. For the management of climate change, a complete integrated management aspect at the global level is essential. For countries like Bangladesh, China and India that have large populations, disaster preparedness and management, soil conservation and human health sectors are areas of importance which should be prioritised.

In the struggle to regain our natural heritage and resources, South Asia has to show the way to the world. While it is true that we have been the victims of climate change and any approach to moving towards climate justice would require an extraordinary amount of hard work and sacrifice on the part of developed nations, it should be noted that combating climate change is the responsibility of the global community and not just that of the major polluters. The course of sustainable development as chartered by Mahatma Gandhi should again be practised. 

We will demand for strengthening the technology and financial architecture under the aegis of UNFCC. Annex I Parties (developed nations) were obliged to provide for new, additional, adequate and predictable financing to developing country parties to implement the proposals to arrest and adapt to climate change.

The financial resources committed under the convention cannot be new and additional if they merely divert any existing or likely resources, including Overseas Development Assistance. As per the UNFCC, at least $60-80 billion is needed to take adaptation and mitigation requirement fund; hence South Asian Countries should negotiate for creating a fund under the governance of the parties to ensure that it is stable.  

All Governments must engage Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in massive awareness campaign and mobilizing people at large.

GCAP is gearing up for such challenges facing the whole world. 

Written by Anil K Singh of the South Asian Network for Social & Agricultural Development (SANSAD)