Structural inequality and the response to global emergencies

News: Structural inequalities in political and economic systems are compromising humankind’s capacity to deal with global emergencies such as climate change and Covid.

About the pandemic and climate change

World Health Organization’s message at the pandemic’s outset — “No one is safe till everyone is safe” expresses the need of adopting a collaborative approach. Also, with the rise of climate-related catastrophe, there is a need to put human well-being above parochial interests and commercial profits.

What are the key issues with respect to Climate change?

The occurrence of extreme weather events like storms, sea-level rise and floods led to an increase in deaths and generates livelihood issues, especially in the coastal regions. A recent example is of Madagascar that is currently in the grip of a drought. Fear escalates that it could trigger the first climate change-induced famine.

How is the world community dealing with Climate Change?

It is true that all countries are obliged to address global warming, but the responsibility lies more on the developed countries. So, the concept of CBDR arises.

With the carbon space shrinking, the principle of climate justice has come under duress and its scope has become compressed. Even in the recently held COP 26, there are many challenges that were not addressed. These are:

-Decarbonization should not threaten the development of developing countries.
-Not addressed the challenges of intermittency related to wind and solar power.
-Not mentioned any solution to meet the funds of $2.4 trillion required by 2035, as estimated by IPCC.

What is the impact of covid on people?

1) It impacts social classes differentially, 2) Increased the lack of basic social security needs.

What is the status of vaccine equity?

Vaccine equity is vital in the battle against Corona. But data suggests that less than 10% of the adult population in at least 70 countries have completed the vaccination.

WHO also pointed that developed countries are giving extra booster doses while there are pockets of the inoculated population around the world.

Source: This post is based on the article “Structural inequality and the response to global emergencies” published in Indian Express on 16th November 2021.