An Ethical Framework for Adaptation in India: Climate Change, Health Capabilities, and Social Justice

Abstract

Although adaptation to and mitigation of climate change are vital for maintaining life, access to vital resources, such as healthcare, is frequently disrupted by extreme climatic events. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by these interruptions, which exacerbate health disparities by failing to stop preventable injury. This study argues that disparities in health capabilities—the actual chances that people and groups have to attain health—are the best way to conceptualise climate-related disparities. The study advocates for a new ethical framework based on social justice in order to remedy these discrepancies. It suggests Jennifer Prah Ruger’s Health Capability Paradigm (HCP) as a normative framework for fair climate adaptation with a focus on India. After that, the study looks at India’s present adaptation plans and suggests specific changes to improve health resilience and lessen disparities. India may take a more equitable and inclusive approach to climate adaptation by incorporating HCP into climate policy.

Presenters

Rhyddhi Chakraborty
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, School of Allied Health and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Essex, United Kingdom

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Economic, Social, and Cultural Context

KEYWORDS

Climate Change, Health, India