Climate Activism for Vulnerable People: Decreasing Inequalities for Effective Climate Action
A joint session by the Inclusive Communication and People with Disabilities Working Group, the International Environmental Communication Association and Routledge Taylor & Francis
IECA Virtual Expo - May 2024
This round table discussed the impact of climate activism initiatives targeting vulnerable populations in Pakistan and China, focusing on grassroots efforts illustrated through case studies. What strategies can empower intersectionality in vulnerable communities to reduce their climate risks?
This panel presented insights using a thematic analysis of activists' experiences in combating environmental degradation amid escalating climate change. Discussions included ground realities in rural and urban setting of Pakistan and China, ICT and AI based initiatives along with managing the raised challenges of information over load and digital divides prevailing for vulnerable communities, and strategies for empowering people with disabilities, based on native case studies.
The aim is to inform policy and applied research to promote resilience and sustainability among Pakistan's and China's most vulnerable populations facing climate change. The panel recommends researching the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities in Pakistan and China. Additionally, it calls for devising effective strategies to empower vulnerable communities through engagement and reduce digital divides for sustainable, climate-resilient communities.
The panel recommends for addressing the need for effective communications that requires to strategize locally resonant solutions grounded in the lived experiences of the people with disabilities but also address the requirement of the intersectionality found in the vulnerable people either from visually challenged, physically, mentally or hearing challenged groups. This aims to achieve sustainable development goals through practical implementation involving public advocacy, policy, climate activists, and practitioners.