South Asia and Climate Change Unravelling the Conundrum

This book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of the diverse aspects of climate change in South Asia. The region, home to almost 4% of the world?s population, is under serious threat from climatic disasters. The volume underscores the urgency of addressing cataclysmic events related to climate change and their ramifications on the economy, agriculture and livelihoods of the region. The book discusses the reasons causing climate change as well as highlights normative and ethical considerations involved in the battle against climate change.

With case studies from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, it explores issues such as extreme climatic events; energy use, fossil fuels, non-renewable resources and carbon dioxide emission in South Asia; internal migration and climate refugees; the ethical dilemma of sustainable development; technological advancements for extreme weather forecast; and responses to climate change in South Asia. Highlighting the need for striking a balance between developmental imperatives and environmental sustainability, the chapters also show the North-South divide in the research agenda and policies on climate change and the global politics that underlie climate policies. The volume juxtaposes a scientific analysis of factors responsible for climate change with an analysis of the human cost of climate change from the perspective of social sciences. It discusses the challenges faced by developing countries while also offering recommendations and solutions.

This book will be of interest to scholars and researchers of climate studies, geography, public policy and governance, sustainable development, development studies, environmental studies, political studies, international relations, political economy, economics and sociology. It will also be useful to practitioners, thinktanks, policymakers and civil society organisations working on environmental management.

Part I: Climate Change in South Asia: Emerging Issues and Trends 1. Contemporary Issues of Climate Change in South Asia: A Synthesis 2. Extreme Climatic Events: A Review of Trends, Vulnerabilities and Adaptations in the South Asian Region 3. Energy Use and Carbon Dioxide Emission in South Asia: A Decomposition Analysis Part II: Climate Change Induced Human Migration: Concerns for Environmental Refugees 4. Nature and Characteristics of Climate Change-Induced Human Migration in South Asia 5. Impacts of Climate Change on Migration and Economic Growth: South Asian Perspectives 6. Climatic Refugees: Internal Migration in the Face of Climate Change in India Part III: Responses to Climate Change from South Asian Nations 7. India’s Commitment to Counter Climate Change in South Asia: A Critical Evaluation 8. Evaluating the Viability of Shrimp Aquaculture to Impede Climate Change in Sundarbans: Experiences from Bangladesh 9. Sri Lanka’s Natural Vulnerabilities: A Political Case Study of the 2004 Tsunami, Its Aftermath and Responses Part IV: Adaptation Strategies to Combat the Challenge: From Theory to Praxis 10. Ethical Dilemma of Sustainable Development as Combat Mechanism to Climate Challenge 11. Technological Development for Monitoring/Forecasting Extreme Weather over South Asia

Mausumi Kar is Associate Professor of Economics, Women’s Christian College, Kolkata, India, and Guest Faculty of International Economics at University of Calcutta, India.

Jayita Mukhopadhyay is Associate Professor of Political Science, Women’s Christian College, Kolkata, India, and former Guest Faculty, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, India.

Manisha Deb Sarkar is former Associate Professor and former Head, Department of Geography, Women’s Christian College, Kolkata, India, and former Guest Faculty at University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University and West Bengal State University, Barasat, India.