Climate Change and Human Rights

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stated that climate change is leading to human rights crises in different nations, emphasizing the immediate need for global action

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Context: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stated that climate change is leading to human rights crises in different nations, emphasizing the immediate need for global action to tackle the same.

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Environmental Horror: Turk pointed to examples of environmental devastation caused by climate change, such as in Basra, Iraq, where drought, extreme heat, pollution, and water scarcity have turned once-vibrant areas into barren landscapes.
Dystopian Present: He stressed that the dystopian future that many have feared is already a reality, and there is no time for further warnings. Immediate action is required to combat climate change.
G-20’s Failure: Turk expressed disappointment that the G-20 did not commit to phasing out fossil fuels, which he viewed as a crucial step in addressing climate change.
Migrant Deaths: He expressed shock at the rising number of migrant deaths, especially as climate change forces more people to leave their homes.
- He highlighted deaths in various regions, including the English Channel, the Bay of Bengal, the Caribbean, the U.S.-Mexican border, and the Saudi border.
Ecocide Proposal: He welcomed a proposal to recognize “ecocide” as an international crime.
- Ecocide refers to the extensive damage to, destruction of, or loss of ecosystems in a particular area, often as a result of human activities.

Understanding Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts and alterations in the Earth’s climate patterns, including changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other aspects of the climate system.
It is primarily driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, which release greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere.
Causes, effects, and feedbacks of climate change (see the image).

Evidences of Climate Change

Rising Temperatures: The Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by about 1.8°F (1.0°C) since the late 1800s.
- Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for the observed warming.
Rising Sea Levels: Rising temperatures are causing the polar ice caps to melt, leading to a rise in the sea levels.
- According to the NOAA, sea levels have risen by about 21 cm since 1880, with the majority of that rise occurring in the last 25 years.
Increased Storm Intensity: Due to the rising sea surface temperatures, there has been an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms, resulting in significant damage to lives and property.
- For example, very severe cyclones in the Arabian Sea have increased by 150% and their duration has risen by 260% in the past four decades, as per the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Droughts and Water Scarcity: Climate change can lead to changes in precipitation patterns, which can lead to droughts and water scarcity in some areas.
- According to the UNFCCC, droughts have affected more than 60% of the global population in the last decade.
Heatwaves: Climate change can lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which can have a major impact on human health, wildlife and ecosystems.
- The WMO states that the frequency of heatwaves has increased by more than 50% in large parts of Europe, Asia and Australia since the 1950s, due to human-induced climate change.

The Human Rights Implications of Climate Change

A report titled “Climate Change and Human Rights” by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has highlighted the following human rights implications of climate change.

Effects of Climate Change on Human Rights

Impacts on Ecosystems and Natural Resources	Freshwater Resources	According to IPCC projections, climate change will significantly reduce surface water and groundwater resources in most dry subtropical regions. Climate change will also increase the frequency of droughts in presently dry areas. Affected rights: right to water and sanitation, right to health, right to life, right to food, right to an adequate standard of living.
	Terrestrial Ecosystems	The IPCC predicts that the climate change will increase the extinction risk for many species. “Forest dieback” is a major environmental risk, which has potentially significant impacts on climate, biodiversity, water quality, wood production, and livelihoods. Affected rights: right to food, right to an adequate standard of living, right to health.
	Coastal Systems and Low-lying Areas	The IPCC projects that coastal and low-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse impacts such as submergence, flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion, primarily due to sea level rise. Also, the areas experiencing an increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones. Affected rights: right to life, right to health, right to housing, right to an adequate standard of living, right to food, right to water, right to property, right to self-determination.
	Ocean Systems	Climate change is altering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the ocean, which will affect species distribution and have serious implications for marine productivity and food security in tropical areas. Affected rights: right to food, right to an adequate standard of living, right to health.
	Food Security and Production Systems	Increasing temperature patterns and shifting rainfall patterns are negatively affecting agricultural yields across countries. Affected rights: right to food, right to health, right to life, right to an adequate standard of living.
Impacts on Physical Infrastructure and Human Settlements	Urban Areas	Climate change poses significant risks to urban areas, impacting infrastructure, human health, livelihoods, and economic stability, with particular vulnerabilities in informal settlements and among marginalized populations. Affected rights: right to life, right to housing, right to health, right to water and sanitation, right to an adequate standard of living, right to property.
	Rural Areas	Climate change will affect water supply, food security, and agricultural incomes in rural areas. This will have implications for human health, livelihoods, incomes, and migration patterns. Affected rights: right to life, right to health, right to housing, right to food, right to water and sanitation, right to an adequate standard of living, right to property.
	Key Economic Sectors and Services	Climate change will affect a variety of economic sectors and services, including energy, water services, transport, agriculture and livestock, forestry, fisheries, tourism, and insurance. Affected rights: right to health, right to an adequate standard of living, right to food, right to water.
Impacts on Livelihoods, Health, and Security	Livelihoods and Poverty	Climate-related hazards, such as extreme weather events and displacement, directly harm livelihoods and exacerbate issues like rising food prices and political instability, perpetuating poverty and inequality. Affected rights: right to an adequate standard of living, right to health, right to life, right to food, right to water, right to property.
	Human Health	Global warming increases the risk of epidemic infectious diseases. Affected rights: right to health, right to life.
	Human Security	Climate change will threaten human security by increasing the scarcity of key resources, undermining livelihoods, compromising culture and identity, increasing displacement and migration etc. Affected rights: right to life, right to an adequate standard of living, right to a nationality, right to self-determination, right to mobility, right to property.

Effects of Mitigation and Adaptation on Human Rights

Mitigation

There are numerous examples of how certain kinds of mitigation projects undertaken to reduce or sequester GHG emissions can adversely affect the rights of certain groups.

Hydroelectric projects, which often lead to displacement of local people and the destruction of ecosystems upon which they depend, and can also harm the health and livelihoods of people living downstream from the project by reducing river flows.
Biofuel’s policies and projects, which can contribute to food shortages and price shocks, additional water stress and scarcity, widespread deforestation, and displacement of indigenous peoples and small-scale farmers through land acquisitions.

Adaptation

Both the failure to adapt and the implementation of adaptation measures can interfere with human rights, particularly for the most vulnerable.
One concern is that some adaptation programs, may benefit one group to the detriment of another—as might be the case for coastal fortifications that protect one community while exposing another to greater risk of erosion and/or flooding.
There is a risk of human rights violations in the context of relocation and resettlement programs.

Geoengineering

Geoengineering refers to the deliberate and large-scale manipulation of natural systems through measures aimed at preventing or mitigating the effects of climate change, such as solar radiation management and ocean iron fertilization.
It is important to note that such projects could seriously interfere with the enjoyment of human rights for millions and perhaps billions of people.