Addressing the Climate Change–Migration–Poverty-Gender Nexus for Sustainable Development in India

Abstract

Climate Change is currently one of the most discussed issues in international politics regarding its growing significance in the 21st century as a global threat to the environment, social, as well as economic structures. As climate change deepens, negative weather conditions such as droughts, prolonged dry seasons, floods, heat waves, etc. has increased and exerted a lot of pressure on the environment. This stress compelled migration, especially in the Rural and Agricultural sentinel groups that saw their sources of earning a livelihood are affected. Thus, the motives of migration are determined by socio-economic conditions and poverty deprives individuals of the opportunity to move safely and efficiently. Climate Change disproportionately affects populations in a manner that is governed by gender. The gender-specific risks are managed by pre-existing conditions in social relations, which means a worsened situation for women, such as greater poverty and forced migration. The study compares the findings’ direct and indirect impacts of climate change on migration, poverty, and gender through secondary data analysis. The conclusions made in the research would help to establish the proactive strategies in the governmental agenda potentially beneficial for overcoming the detrimental effects of climate change on socially vulnerable population groups including women as well as contributing to attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.