A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE INDIAN ECONOMY

Abstract

Climate change is a change in the global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. Climate change is having a significant impact on businesses, society, and individuals. It is increasingly understood that a shift towards a low-carbon economy is needed. Climate change poses both direct and indirect threats to human rights: the right to food, the right to water and sanitation, access to affordable commercial energy, as well as the consequent larger right to development. Issues such as forced mass migration, threat of climate-linked conflict situations, direct and indirect threats to health and healthcare systems, and the impacts on land and livelihoods all demonstrate that climate change and human rights concerns are closely interwoven. The right to a life of dignity and the right to life itself are at stake. The researcher focus on how global climate negotiations in India must inevitably focus on protecting the environment and safeguarding natural resources for future generations while keeping in mind the immediate development needs of the most vulnerable populations across the globe. This is especially relevant for emerging economies like India which is a home to an estimated 33% of the world’s poorest 1.2 billion people. The researcher proposes that climate change must focus especially on equitability, access to energy, and sharing of space; because development is not just an economic and social necessity; it is also the best adaptation to climate change.