Climate Change and Inequality in a Divided World: Race and Ethnicity as the Determinants of Racialized Coastal Experiences in the Indian Ocean Region

Keywords: Munda, Rakhine, Indian Ocean Region, ethnic minorities, social vulnerability to climate change
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 2

Abstract

Despite society’s exposure to adverse climate impacts in various parts of the Indian Ocean region, little is known about the extent of vulnerability to adverse climate impacts among racial and ethnic minorities in a comparative perspective. Using case studies from the West Bengal State of India on low-caste scheduled tribe ‘Munda’ and from the south-central coastal Bangladesh on ‘Rakhine’ ethnic farmers, this research unpacks the racialized coastal experiences and social vulnerability among the minorities across the region. This research investigates how do the Rakhine ethnic minority in south-central coastal Bangladesh and scheduled tribe low-caste Munda experience racialized social vulnerability because of existing social, cultural, economic, and political inequalities, which are largely driven by colonial practice and socio-political treatments towards marginalized low-caste and ethnic minority populations. Despite the differences in geographical locations and patterns of inequalities they face, both minority groups tend to live in geographical isolations, have distinctive cultures, experience with consistent economic backwardness, and have restricted access to various locally-available climate risk management resources. This research highlights that at the local level, climate injustice is the outcome of generations-long social, economic, political, and environmental inequalities and associated stresses. These findings are critical for promoting inclusive adaptation and equitable resilience, since societies both in India and Bangladesh are exposed to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, economic and racial inequality, and extreme weather and climate events.