Climate Change Worsens India’s Migration Crisis

Summarized Article:
Weather-related disasters, including extreme heat, droughts, and flooding, are increasing in frequency and severity in India, disproportionately affecting vulnerable and impoverished communities. A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that extreme weather events occurred on 314 days last year, resulting in 2,923 deaths, destruction of two million hectares of crops, 80,000 homes, and 92,000 animals. These disasters are exacerbating displacement, pushing people to migrate to overcrowded megacities.
India ranks fourth globally in climate change-induced migration, with over three million people displaced in 2020-2021. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center estimates that 14 million people in India have been displaced due to climate change, with projections of 45 million by 2050. Despite immediate disaster relief, long-term institutional support is lacking.
India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases but has a lower per capita carbon footprint compared to Western nations. The country aims for net-zero emissions by 2070. Experts call for a comprehensive plan to address climate-induced migration and advocate for "climate-proofing" agriculture and rural areas to limit displacement.
Climate change is also expected to cause significant job losses and economic impacts, with heat stress potentially costing 34 million jobs and reducing GDP by 4.5% by 2030. There is a pressing need for policies to support vulnerable climate migrants and invest in local climate resilience and economic protection.