The intersection of health and climate change exposes deep inequalities, especially in the Global South, where countries like India face complex challenges. These challenges arise from the historical legacy of colonialism and current global governance structures that continue to favor the industrialized North. The global climate crisis is not just an environmental or economic problem. This is especially true in countries already struggling with poverty, inequality, and inadequate health infrastructure. India’s struggles along this north-south divide highlight the urgent need for a more equitable approach to addressing both health and climate impacts.
Climate change has direct and indirect impacts on public health, especially in countries like India where socioeconomic disparities increase the vulnerability of the population. Rising temperatures, changing monsoon seasons, and extreme weather events are worsening food insecurity, worsening malnutrition, and increasing the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. A 2023 systematic review was published. Current Nutrition Report point out 200 million people In India, there was malnutrition. Additionally, dengue fever and malaria are major health threats in India. 74.37% The burden of vector-borne diseases in countries, especially those affecting tropical and subtropical regions.
Climate change in India is worsening health risks and increasing mortality and morbidity, especially in the poorest communities. Environmental change and rapid urbanization are worsening air pollution, leading to respiratory diseases and premature death. The World Air Quality Report 2024 ranked India as the country with the best air quality in the world. Third most polluted countryThe average PM concentration was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter, 10.9 times higher than the WHO recommended limit. From 2001 to 2019, India 37.6 million premature deaths It is caused by four major non-communicable diseases (NCDs): The poorest and most marginalized people are disproportionately affected by these problems.
Heat waves are already taking a toll on people in India. Only in 2024 There were 700 deaths due to heat-related illnesses and over 40,000 people suffering from heat stroke. It was recorded according to the non-profit HeatWatch. A burgeoning population, inadequate health facilities and a lack of climate-resilient infrastructure have left millions of people vulnerable to extreme weather events. 2023 study Shrikhande et al. It highlights the urgent need for research focused on the health impacts of climate change, noting barriers such as limited funding, lack of interdisciplinary collaboration and minimal government support.
Climate change affects both the global North and South, but the nature and intensity of these impacts are different. The Global North, which has historically benefited from industrialization and exploitative capitalism, is better equipped to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change. Conversely, countries in the southern hemisphere such as India disproportionate burden of climate-related health impacts; Despite contributing much less to global emissions. These gaps stem from colonial resource extraction that continues to shape today’s global economic system. Amitabh Ghosh, Curse of NutmegIt argues that the extractive practices of colonialism laid the foundations for modern capitalism, which prioritizes profit over people and the environment. This system has enriched the Northern Hemisphere while continuing to deplete the Southern Hemisphere’s natural resources. Ghosh notes the historical and ongoing exploitation of land, labor and resources in countries like India, which limits their capacity to address climate-related challenges in terms of health and environmental protection.
not Analysis of extractive capitalism in India This further highlights the ongoing struggles of indigenous and caste-based communities, who are often at the forefront of land dispossession and environmental destruction. Marginalized groups who depend on natural resources for their livelihoods face high vulnerability to climate change. The combination of extractive practices, environmental degradation, and exclusion from governance structures amplifies the health risks they face, from malnutrition to exposure to environmental toxins.
Health and climate inequalities in India are a direct result of our colonial past and current global governance systems that perpetuate inequalities. Moreover, neoliberal policies have further exacerbated vulnerabilities by promoting rapid industrialization. Without appropriate environmental protection measures. India’s policies that prioritize economic growth over environmental protection have resulted in widespread deforestation, pollution, and displacement of marginalized communities. india lost 668,400 hectares Over the five years from 2015 to 2020, it became the country with the second highest rate of forest loss in the world. The effects of these policies are most visible in urban centers, where poor air quality causes serious health problems.
India is also grappling with a distorted global system that places the burden of climate action on developing countries, while the global North continues to evade responsibility for its historic emissions. Paris Agreementgoes one step further and reflects this imbalance as developing countries such as India are expected to limit emissions and implement climate mitigation strategies despite their relatively low per capita emissions. India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aims to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by: 45% by 2030 Compare to 2005 levels. India’s contribution Global greenhouse gas emissions, although significant, are much lower than in developed countries. However, the burden of climate change mitigation falls disproportionately on India. This ignores the historical responsibility of the Global North, which has accumulated wealth through centuries of fossil fuel use and environmental exploitation.
Global governance structures, especially those related to climate and health, continue to favor the global North, putting countries like India at a disadvantage. International financial institutions and multinational corporations wield disproportionate power in setting the global agenda, often prioritizing profits over environmental and public health concerns. This imbalance is evident in a global trade system that encourages the extraction of natural resources from the Global South to meet consumption needs in the North. For example, international trade agreements often prioritize intellectual property rights over access to affordable medicines. India’s ability to provide health care For citizens. This is of particular concern in the context of climate change, as rising temperatures and changing disease patterns require stronger health systems and access to new medical technologies. Prioritizing profits over public health perpetuates inequality. This is because poor countries cannot afford the treatments and technologies needed to address the health impacts of climate change.
India faces significant challenges in addressing the dual crises of health and climate change, but there are also opportunities for innovation and leadership. The country has made significant progress in renewable energy, particularly through initiatives such as: International Solar FederationIt aims to promote solar energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, these efforts are often undermined by broader economic systems that continue to prioritize extractive industries and industrial growth over environmental sustainability. One promising area is India’s leadership in health diplomacy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. that Vaccine Maitri InitiativeProviding vaccines to neighboring countries has demonstrated India’s potential to lead global health. This leadership can extend to addressing climate-related health impacts, and India can take on a more significant role in advocating for climate justice and equitable access to health technologies.
To effectively navigate the global North-South divide, India must continue to push for more equitable global governance structures that prioritize public health and environmental sustainability over profits. This will require not only domestic policy reform but also a concerted effort at the international level to challenge the hemisphere’s dominance in setting the global agenda. The historical legacies of colonialism, exploitative capitalism, and current global governance structures make India vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, especially in terms of public health. India has made some progress in renewable energy and health diplomacy, but these efforts are often constrained by the broader economic system. To address these challenges, India must advocate for more equitable global governance that prioritizes climate justice and public health to ensure that the Global South does not bear the brunt of a crisis it did not create.
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