18
G. Kumar et al.
of cyclones include diseases and illnesses associated with the loss of clean water,
hygiene, and sanitation, loss of shelter and belongings, population displacement,
toxic exposures, hunger and malnutrition risk due to food scarcity (Keim 2006).
8 Socio-Economic Consequences of Climate Change
The alleviation of poverty and food insecurity has been undermined in the present
scenario of changing climatic conditions (Karfakis et al. 2012). Climatic conditions
play a major role in influencing almost all aspects of life on earth and in shaping the
physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment (Rogers 1994). The impacts of
GHG emissions and the resulting climate change have found to influence the global
economy significantly (Raman et al. 2012). Agriculture, fisheries and other economic
sectors that depend on weather conditions are mostly affected by climate change
either directly or indirectly (IPCC 2012). The events of climate change have raised a
concern about the threats to current income and consumption patterns of households
and individuals that are dependent on these sectors (Foresight 2011; IPCC 2012).
Changes in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events may lead to devastating floods (Karl et al. 1996). These extreme climatic events can result in large
economic losses through direct damage to infrastructure, property, and agricultural
land (Waterton and Wynne 2004). The impacts of climate change can be measured
in terms of economic cost particularly associated with the impacts that are linked to
market transactions (Smith et al. 2001). The quantitative estimation of the economic
damages of climate change is generally based on the aggregate relationships linking
average temperature change to loss in gross domestic product (GDP) (Ciscar et al.
2011). Monetary measures of climate change impacts on human health and ecosystems are difficult to calculate (Smith et al. 2001). Prolonged climatic variations have
contributed to the collapse of several well-established civilizations at certain times in
the past (Weiss et al. 1993). The quantitative assessment of the economic impacts of
climate change provides the justification for the strategies to control global warming
and minimize detrimental consequences (Ciscar et al. 2011). With the changes in the
climate, the impacts on agricultural production, income and health-related effects are
expected to rise which ultimately impact the rural livelihood (Karfakis et al. 2012).
Climate change adaptation and mitigation are likely to involve policy decisions and
investments in infrastructure. The impact of climate change on the society is mainly
dependent on the direct or indirect interplay between environment, on the one hand,
and health and consumption on the other hand (Karfakis et al. 2012). A society can
be benefited only by improving the understanding, assessment, prediction, and early
detection of both natural variability and any possible anthropogenic changes that can
help towards the insight of a stable climate system (NRC 1998).
G. Kumar et al.
of cyclones include diseases and illnesses associated with the loss of clean water,
hygiene, and sanitation, loss of shelter and belongings, population displacement,
toxic exposures, hunger and malnutrition risk due to food scarcity (Keim 2006).
8 Socio-Economic Consequences of Climate Change
The alleviation of poverty and food insecurity has been undermined in the present
scenario of changing climatic conditions (Karfakis et al. 2012). Climatic conditions
play a major role in influencing almost all aspects of life on earth and in shaping the
physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment (Rogers 1994). The impacts of
GHG emissions and the resulting climate change have found to influence the global
economy significantly (Raman et al. 2012). Agriculture, fisheries and other economic
sectors that depend on weather conditions are mostly affected by climate change
either directly or indirectly (IPCC 2012). The events of climate change have raised a
concern about the threats to current income and consumption patterns of households
and individuals that are dependent on these sectors (Foresight 2011; IPCC 2012).
Changes in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events may lead to devastating floods (Karl et al. 1996). These extreme climatic events can result in large
economic losses through direct damage to infrastructure, property, and agricultural
land (Waterton and Wynne 2004). The impacts of climate change can be measured
in terms of economic cost particularly associated with the impacts that are linked to
market transactions (Smith et al. 2001). The quantitative estimation of the economic
damages of climate change is generally based on the aggregate relationships linking
average temperature change to loss in gross domestic product (GDP) (Ciscar et al.
2011). Monetary measures of climate change impacts on human health and ecosystems are difficult to calculate (Smith et al. 2001). Prolonged climatic variations have
contributed to the collapse of several well-established civilizations at certain times in
the past (Weiss et al. 1993). The quantitative assessment of the economic impacts of
climate change provides the justification for the strategies to control global warming
and minimize detrimental consequences (Ciscar et al. 2011). With the changes in the
climate, the impacts on agricultural production, income and health-related effects are
expected to rise which ultimately impact the rural livelihood (Karfakis et al. 2012).
Climate change adaptation and mitigation are likely to involve policy decisions and
investments in infrastructure. The impact of climate change on the society is mainly
dependent on the direct or indirect interplay between environment, on the one hand,
and health and consumption on the other hand (Karfakis et al. 2012). A society can
be benefited only by improving the understanding, assessment, prediction, and early
detection of both natural variability and any possible anthropogenic changes that can
help towards the insight of a stable climate system (NRC 1998).