The Most Vulnerable Are Feeling The Heat of Climate Change The Most

What, do you suppose is the biggest threat to our longevity? A mental-health crisis? Gender inequality? Bigotry? While, surely, these are all factors endangering human civilization, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges climate change as the biggest threat to global public health.

Sadly, however, the reality is that some communities have to put up a bigger fight against the wrath of Mother Nature than others. 

The Climate Divide

In this article, we will explain:

• How climate change affects different communities
• The social and legal implications of the climate divide
• How you can support your community and combat climate change

Rising waters, rising risks

According to a number of verified climate reports, the biggest contributors to climate change are the United States, China and Russia. But, while these nations do experience the effects of climate change, such as an increase in severe weather, the consequences of their actions are mostly felt by countries in the developing world. 

Whether it’s the record-breaking floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which left 2 million people needing humanitarian assistance, or the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, which resulted in the death of over 400 people. Many communities in developing countries lack the resources to adequately address the climate crisis.

“Lower-income communities in South Africa tend to live in informal settlements or resource-poor rural areas that lack the essential services and infrastructure needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as drainage systems for flood events,” explains Tessa Chittenden, an urban planner and socio-economic development specialist. 

And these lower-income families are generally dependent on single sources of income or natural resources. “This diminishes resilience when these communities are faced with climate-change impacts,” Chittenden says.

According to Caradee Wright, PhD, chief specialist scientist of the Environment and Health Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), those with low literacy and education levels, and poorly paid occupations struggle to recover from adverse events. These include flooding, intense storms, and drought.

Green housing

Also, housing conditions in low-income communities may serve to worsen health conditions.

“Climate change is causing an increase in heat waves and cold snaps, and low-cost housing and shacks are difficult dwelling types to try to maintain an ideal living temperature,” Wright says. “In these situations, temperatures can harm human health by exacerbating existing health conditions, such as asthma.” 

Also, as these communities are exposed to both air pollution and excessive flooding, they may face a heightened risk for respiratory disorders, as well as the spread of infectious diseases. 

The greener legalities of climate change

“In 2019, the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights referred to climate change as ‘an unconscionable assault on the poor’,” says Megan Donald, a post-doctoral researcher in Human Rights and Climate Change.

The disproportionate effects felt by lower-income communities in South Africa as a result of climate change also infringe constitutional rights. The South African Constitution includes rights to equality, non-discrimination, and an environment not harmful to health or wellbeing, she adds.

“It’s the responsibility of the government to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the environmental rights in section 24, and to do so in accordance with equality, which is a constitutional value, as well as a right.”

However, climate justice isn’t just about highlighting the legal frameworks that offer protection to lower-income communities. 

“Environmental justice involves providing access to education about environmental rights to lower-income communities who are affected by development activities and the concomitant adverse environmental impacts, so they can have the ability to meaningfully engage with the relevant decision-makers,” explains Siyabonga Mkhize, partner, and Natercia Dos Santos, junior associate, of Shepstone Wylie Attorneys.

Climate awareness

Since the South African legal system requires consultation when a piece of legislation is being amended or a new one is being developed, lower-income communities need to be able to easily access and understand this information, they say. If not, the legislation is at risk of being developed or amended with only the input of corporations and affluent individuals in mind, which can result in legislation and development activities exacerbating existing climate-related issues. 

“If the legislature doesn’t place communities at the centre of decision-making, they’re unable to fully appreciate the impacts that the decisions they make will have on communities.”

Including them in all legislative decisions will ensure that lower-income communities are adequately protected and that any adverse effects of climate change are mitigated as much as possible.

Legislating against climate change

Siya and Natercia add that South Africa has a comprehensive suite of environmental legislation that holds corporate entities accountable,

“This includes legislation such as a carbon tax for companies whose activities result in greenhouse gas emissions that exceed certain thresholds prescribed in the legislation, particularly since greenhouse gas emissions are the biggest contributors to climate change.”

“Limited access to water may be the result of droughts that are exacerbated by climate change, but poor management of water infrastructure may also be a contributing factor. It may therefore be difficult to claim a violation of rights based solely on climate change,” explains Megan Donald. 

“Government has duties towards its citizens when it comes to municipal management, regulation of companies, environmental management, realization of socio-economic rights, and many other areas. Until we have a clear framework for addressing climate-related harms, we can continue to use these other avenues to hold governments and others accountable.”

A call for climate change action

Whether it’s following a plant-based diet or switching to glass bottles over plastic bottled water, there are many day-to-day habits we can adopt to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change. However, it’s vital to place education at the core of the fight against climate change,

“With such education, the public is more empowered to participate in decision-making regarding policy and legislative processes concerning climate change,” Donald says. Through participation in these processes, she believes we can draw attention to the needs of lower-income communities, and ensure that they’re considered in the design and implementation of relevant laws and policies.

We can also call on governments to physically implement changes that will not only mitigate the effects of climate change, but also simultaneously address other socio-economic issues.

“Green roofs, parks, and vegetation can help to reduce the urban heat island effects by shading building surfaces, deflecting radiation from the sun, and releasing moisture into the atmosphere. More recreational green space is also essential for improved health due to the lifestyle impacts,” adds Chittenden.

Combat climate change for better health

Wright believes these solutions need to offer benefits that are considered a win-win. After all, they protect people from climate-change impact while also improving quality of life. For instance, providing access to electricity can help households to move away from using a coal stove.

“Instead, they’ll make use of electric or gas stoves, which improves air quality and reduces respiratory health risks. Also, this electricity should be derived from renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro, to reduce the emission of pollutants that contribute to climate change,” she says.

The fight against the climate crisis is more than just an environmental one; it’s a socio-economic one too. So, in our fight against climate change, we also need to do our part to ensure that even the most vulnerable among us are still here in the future to enjoy the fruits of our much greener labor. 

How you can make a difference to the future health of your planet

Here are four things you can do to mitigate the effects of climate change:

1. Put pressure on government and businesses to reduce emissions, and support political parties that prioritize a greener environment.
2. Cut back on meat and follow a plant-based diet. 
3. Avoid single-use plastic.
4. Avoid fast fashion; opt for thrift shopping instead.

Main photo credit: Gisèle WERTHEIM AYMéS

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