Climate-induced poverty is a global crisis

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but an immediate crisis with profound socioeconomic consequences. One of its most devastating effects is climate-related poverty, a phenomenon where environmental changes exacerbate existing economic hardships, pushing vulnerable communities deeper into destitution. The interplay between climate change and poverty is multifaceted, involving extreme weather events, declining agricultural yields, loss of livelihoods, displacement, and increasing costs of adaptation. Climate change disproportionately affects the world's poorest populations. These communities are often the least responsible for carbon emissions but bear the brunt of the consequences. Several mechanisms explain how climate change drives poverty.

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. These events have devastating economic consequences, particularly for low-income communities with limited resources to recover. Hurricanes and Typhoons: Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to stronger and more frequent storms. For example, in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan displaced millions in the Philippines, destroying homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Flooding: Rising sea levels and erratic rainfall patterns contribute to flooding, destroying homes, roads, and agricultural land. In South Asia, monsoon floods affect millions yearly, pushing families into deeper poverty. Droughts and Desertification: Prolonged droughts in regions like the Sahel in Africa devastate agriculture, leading to food insecurity, malnutrition, and forced migration.

Agriculture is highly sensitive to climatic changes, and many of the world's poorest people depend on farming for survival. Climate-induced changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and soil quality significantly reduce agricultural yields, affecting food supply and income. Crop Failures: In sub-Saharan Africa, maize yields are expected to decline by up to 30% by 2050 due to increased temperatures and erratic rainfall. Livestock Losses: Rising temperatures and water shortages threaten livestock, which many communities depend on for food and income. Rising Food Prices: When climate change disrupts food production, prices skyrocket, making staple foods unaffordable for poor populations.

As environmental conditions worsen, millions are forced to leave their homes in search of safer and more sustainable living conditions. Climate-related displacement is one of the most visible effects of climate-induced poverty. Coastal Erosion and Rising Sea Levels: Low-lying nations such as Bangladesh and island nations like the Maldives face existential threats from rising sea levels, forcing communities to migrate inland or abroad. Desertification and Resource Scarcity: In regions like the Middle East and North Africa, expanding deserts push rural populations into urban centers, increasing competition for jobs and resources. Conflict over Resources: Climate-induced migration often leads to tensions and conflicts over land, water, and employment opportunities, further entrenching poverty.