Responding to Extreme Climate Events in South Asia
Marta Schaaf, Programme Director for Climate, Economic Social Justice and Corporate Accountability at Amnesty International, highlighted the repercussions of the recent extreme climate events in South Asia.
Failure of Collective Human Rights-Consistent Climate Action
- Human-caused climate change has intensified extreme climate events in the region.
- Intense heatwaves followed by devastating floods underline the urgency for climate justice.
Magnified Economic Disparities
- Economic disparities in South Asia have disproportionately affected vulnerable communities.
- These marginalized communities bear the brunt of government inaction on climate change.
Call for Immediate Action
Countries must transition away from fossil fuels and high-income emitters, while providing climate finance for developing nations to adapt and transition to renewable energy.
Background of Recent Events
Massive floods have impacted millions in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh due to heavy rains and landslides, with casualties reported and thousands displaced.
- In India, Assam witnesses more than 80 deaths and 2.4 million affected by floods.
- Nepal reports about 91 fatalities due to heavy rains and landslides.
- Bangladesh sees eight deaths and tens of thousands displaced.
Pakistan faces evacuations in northern regions due to flooding from melting glaciers amidst intense heat in other areas. New Delhi experiences record-high temperatures this summer without systematic tracking of heat-related deaths.
Source: www.amnesty.org