Climate change disproportionately affects the poorest of the poor

CLIMATE change exacerbates global socioeconomic disparities. The Philippines — as the most at-risk country for two consecutive years (2022 to 2023), according to the World Risk Report — is particularly vulnerable. With its harmful impact affecting society's poorest members, climate change highlights the urgent need for effective policies to promote resilience and adaptation.

It is crucial to consider the Philippines' historical context of poverty to understand how climate change affects the poorest communities. The country's colonial and postcolonial economic policies disenfranchised large segments of the population, especially the rural poor. Agrarian reform, which aimed to redistribute land to farmers, has been riddled with inconsistencies and corruption, leaving many poor and landless.

The Philippine economy relies heavily on agriculture, employing about one-third of the workforce. However, uneven development, inadequate infrastructure and corruption have made rural areas highly vulnerable. According to the World Bank, as of 2021, about 16.6 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line with a much higher prevalence in rural areas where farmers, fishermen and informal workers lack access to resources, education and social services.

In the Philippine Statistics Authority's recently released 2023 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics, the national poverty incidence in 2023 was recorded at 10.9 percent, or 2.99 million Filipino families without enough income to meet their basic food and nonfood needs. A family of five would require at least P13,873 per month to satisfy the latter.

The Philippines, situated in the Pacific typhoon belt, experiences an average of 20 typhoons yearly. Super Typhoon "Yolanda" (international name: "Haiyan") in 2013 is a harsh reminder of the climate crisis' immediate effects. One of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, it caused 6,293 deaths (as of April 3, 2014), displaced over 4 million Filipinos, and inflicted over P39 billion worth of damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Low-income communities suffered the most with makeshift houses destroyed and no safety nets to rely on.

Economic loss

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report released in 2021, the human-induced rise in greenhouse gases has increased extreme weather events' frequency and intensity. The results are physical destruction and economic impoverishment. The World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report for the Philippines (November 2022) states that the country's gross domestic product is estimated to decrease by at least 3.2 percent annually by 2030, rising to at least 5.7 percent by 2040. After each devastation, the poorest households often lack the means to recover quickly. Their struggles are compounded by the loss of livelihood opportunities, further entrenching them in a cycle of poverty.

Three case studies are worth mentioning.

First is Super Typhoon "Yolanda"'s sobering impact. The hardest hit areas included Eastern Visayas, where many households lived in vulnerable coastal and low-lying regions. The destruction made it difficult for families to access food, health care and shelter. Government inefficiencies and the communities' lack of access to aid hampered recovery efforts. Many of the poorest households are still rebuilding years later, struggling with long-term debts amassed during recovery.

Second, women and children are among the most vulnerable groups during and after extreme weather events. In the aftermath of Super Typhoon "Yolanda," studies showed that women faced higher levels of violence, domestic and community-based, as economic stress increased. Children dropped out of school to contribute to family income. When communities rebuild, the gender disparities in resources often mean that men are prioritized for employment and aid.

Lastly, climate change's consequences are not limited to typhoons; prolonged droughts fueled by the El Ni?o phenomenon, also wreaked havoc on agricultural communities. A severe El Ni?o event in 2016 reduced crop yields significantly, resulting in food shortages and increased prices. The recent drought produced the same impact. The poorest farmers are unable to produce enough for their families, leading to malnutrition and increased indebtedness.

About 2.5 million Filipinos have been internally displaced due to disaster-related events, making the Philippines the third-highest country in internal displacement, according to the Global Report on Internal Displacement.

As climate change worsens, migration becomes an additional concern for the most vulnerable populations. When their homes and means of income are destroyed, many rural folks move to cities in search of better opportunities. Many end up in informal settlements lacking basic services. This rapid urbanization puts strain on cities and further marginalizes these displaced populations.

Convergence

Although numerous governmental and nongovernmental organizations have implemented programs for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, resources often favor more affluent communities.

There is an urgent need for dedicated policies that address the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Implementing community-based programs that enhance local resilience is crucial, including strengthening every local government unit's Local Climate Change Action Plans. Engaging grassroots organizations that can advocate for policy change on behalf of the poor is vital.

International cooperation is essential in addressing climate change. The Philippines is a participant in several international agreements focused on combating this issue. However, implementing them on the ground often falls short. To ensure that aid reaches those who need it the most, transparency, accountability and local participation should be the foundation of these efforts.

The Philippines' convergence of poverty and climate change creates a complex set of vulnerabilities for the poorest communities. Extreme weather events have immediate and lasting effects on them, trapping them in a never-ending cycle of poverty.

Super Typhoon "Yolanda" and the El Ni?o demonstrate the urgency of targeted interventions that prioritize marginalized populations.

Understanding this relationship is crucial in developing effective strategies for climate adaptation, which can alleviate the poorest Filipinos' hardships. A multidimensional approach, including education, economic opportunities and improved infrastructure, can build a more resilient future. Only then can the Philippines progress in dealing with climate change and securing a better standard of living for all Filipinos.

This article is published at the 126th anniversary issue of The Manila Times on 11 October 2024. https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/10/11/tmt-anniversary/climate-change-disproportionately-affects-the-poorest-of-the-poor/1982858