Climate change, the long-term shifts in weather patterns and temperature caused predominantly by the burning of fossil fuels and other human led activities, can no longer be denied. With average temperatures increasing drastically, with flash floods, famines, and droughts becoming the norm, the world is accelerating towards a future that few can imagine or survive. Around 3.6 billion people today live in areas that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change globally. Within the next three decades, experts predict a further 250,000 people will die due to climate related issues, such as desertification, forest fires, and increasing temperatures.   

Despite making up only 8% of global carbon emissions, South Asia disproportionately faces the brunt of climate challenges, marking the area a “climate hotspot.” Today, the region is living through what can only be termed a “new climate normal”, with intensifying heatwaves, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. In the last two decades, more than half of all South Asians have been affected by climate-related disasters. Today, the world is at danger of crossing all seven ‘tipping points’ - beyond which reverting to the way things were would be impossible. This is the perfect time to identify what transformations are required by various parts of society to survive, and then thrive.   

Through four sessions spanning June and July, Asia Society India Centre will explore the history of climate change, particularly due to colonialism, and the ways in which the Global South, and South Asia specifically are impacted by the unequal level of development as a consequence of historically unequal carbon emissions; the financial levers in place to hopefully pull South Asia out of this abscess; the ways in which climate activists are taking charge, and to what extent are they successful; and finally, how wildlife conservation efforts are affected by climate change.    

Artwork: Laxmipriya Panigrahi, Beneath The Branches (detail), 2024. Watercolour on paper, 9 x 30 inches, Copyright, Laxmipriya Panigrahi. Courtesy of Anant Art.

Chapter 1: Climate Justice in South Asia 

Chapter 2: Acts of Advocacy in South Asia 

Chapter 3: Climate Finance in South Asia 

Chapter 4: Wildlife Conservation in South Asia 

REGISTER NOW 

This event is by pre-registration only, and has a limited number of seats available. We will encourage participants to attend the series as a whole and to keep their cameras on for maximum engagement.