“A clean environment is a basis for human rights like any other. It is therefore part of our responsibilities towards others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy, if not healthier than we found it.”                                           – Dalai Lama

The natural environment and its well-being is very important for human beings and all the communities which resides since nature is a very integral part and it provides a clean, healthy and functional environment which are essential for enjoyment of human rights such as right to life, right to food, right to water, right to better health and right to good standard of living. Nature is also important for providing mankind places for recreational and spiritual enjoyment along with protecting from floods, fire and various other natural calamities.

The relation or the direct link between human rights and environment is a debatable topic, however it cannot be denied that the adverse effects on the environment are thus somehow related to proper enjoyment of human rights. This topic is basically a conceptual and legal framework wherein international human rights and their relation with global warming and other environmental issues are identifies, analysed and addressed in order to find a solution.

It is not hidden that with the passing time and with the over exploitation of natural resources to a very great extent, the species of planet earth are being exposed to a very greater threat. The biggest, most dangerous and pervasive threat to natural environment is anthropogenic climate change, which means climate change due to human actions and intervention. This threat has already begun far reaching impacts on nature such as adverse effects on wildlife, natural resources, environmental degradation, direct threat to human lives, denial of access to clean water, food and other resources that support the life.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), a detailed picture as to how the observed and predicted changes will adversely affect millions of people, the ecosystems, and the natural resources has been provided[1]

The right to life which is universally recognized as fundamental human right, yet, every year, around 150,000 premature deaths are being linked to climate crisis – a number set to increase with rising temperatures.[2].

Human rights implications of climate change

1)      Adverse effects on climate

Starting from water resources to land resources, everything is getting over exploited to a very large extent and leading to scarcity of water, competition for water for agricultural an housing purposes, struggles with daily chores due to unavailability of adequate water, especially in dry and arid regions. Tree deaths, leading to deforestation which has very significant impacts on climate, biodiversity, flora and fauna, quality of water and not only these but it also gives rise to increased chances of drought and high temperatures. The climatic change has created an impact on food production as well, thus impacting crops and other sources of food and posing a threat on food production and security in the world.

The rights which are affected here are:-

Right to food, right to an adequate standard of living, right to food, right to water and sanitation, right to health etc.

2)      Effect on settlements.

The extreme changes in the phenomena related to climate such as increase in sea levels, storms, drought, pollution etc. has created an impact on the health, livelihood and economies of people in both urban and rural areas. Change in climate affects water, agricultural income in rural areas. Due to the effects of adverse climate, many risks has been imposed as people have started living in hazardous areas risking their lives.

The rights which are affected here are:-

Right to housing, right to food, right to property, right to water and sanitation etc.

3)      Effect of climate change on health and security.

The livelihood of people is affected by the hazards of climate and extreme weather changes resulting in loss of yield of crops, impact on natural resources, properties. This gives rise to problems such as poverty, instability of political aspects, and also affects the ability to adapt to changes. Thus a good climate is very necessary to maintain proper health and job security and thus not being able to face any form of deprivation or inequality. Climate changes also make people migrate due to extreme conditions and thus giving rise to problems such clash of cultural and political ideologies, and also violent conflict.

The rights which are affected here are:-

Right to life, right to health, right to nationality, right to good standard of living etc.

THE CONCEPT OF MITIGATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS

It cannot be denied that the concern for the great threat imposed on the natural environment is very important and thus proper measures are required by the concerned authorities in order to tackle the problem.

Mitigation is basically the measures taken in order to regulate and moderate the environmental impacts. The process of addressing the changes in environment due to anthropogenic action and following some hierarchy and methodology to overcome it is what mitigation all about.

The response of governments and other concerned authorities to the challenges imposed affects human rights and their enjoyment to a very large extent. Although the mitigation techniques such as effective use of energy, solar plants, hydroelectricity etc. are planned to be done with good faith and for the betterment of society at large but at the same time these mitigation techniques also infringes certain human rights of the individuals.

Some violations are discussed below:-

1.      Hydroelectric Projects: The initiation of these projects often makes it very difficult for the local people and they’re even made to leave their home and native place and it also affects the livelihoods of people living there.

2.      Bio-fuel Projects: It gives rise to problems such as shortage of food, scarcity of water, deforestation, displacement of local people and also a bad effect on the ecosystem.

ADAPTATION AND GEOENGINEERING

In order to get successful with any of the project, the proper implementation of adaption measures so that is does not interferes with human rights is important. The main idea here is to protect the interest of human kind and not violate them by not taking corrective measures.

Geoengineering is large scale manipulation of natural resources in order to mitigate the effects of climate change such as solar radiation management, it is to be noted here that that these projects can severely interfere with the human rights for a very large number of people and thus again creating a problem.

Mitigation techniques followed should be designed accordingly so that the human rights are kept protected and not violated.

CONCLUSION

It is very important to keep in mind that the nature fulfills every need of mankind and thus it is very important to keep the Mother Nature healthy. The increased consequences and threats rising due to climate change are ought to be kept in check in order to lead a healthy life. It is the need of the over to stop overexploitation of the natural resources and to do something to for the sustainable development of the environment, then only the nature will be fulfill the demands and necessities of the communities residing on earth.