Beyond the Obvious: Hidden Impacts of Climate Change

Author: Esther Tatenda Zulu   (Feb 7, 2024)

In a world grappling with the visible devastating effects of climate change such as droughts, fires, and food insecurity, it is crucial to shed light on the often overlooked, yet impactful, intangible effects. Beyond the physical toll, climate change has silently given rise to social and mental health challenges, cultural shifts, and unprecedented migration patterns.

Social and mental health challenges: As climate change causes destruction with extreme weather events and rising sea levels, it doesn’t just cause physical displacement; it also leaves unspoken trauma, stress, anxiety and mental challenges echoing through vulnerable communities. These communities bear this weight with women and children being disproportionately affected. Additionally, the loss of income, particularly in the Global South, remains overlooked as a contributor to mental health issues.

Cultural erosion: Rising sea levels and extreme weather threaten cultural heritage sites, with archaeological treasures and historic buildings at risk of loss or damage. The tangible link to heritage and identity is diminishing, as sacred places vanish, resulting in shared grief for the loss of community history and values. For some, the upheaval goes even deeper, as climate change disrupts gravesites and leaves communities grappling with profound trauma. This emotional distress is intensified by a sense of powerlessness as communities witness the degradation of their cultural heritage due to uncontrollable forces.

The Unseen and forced Migration: Climate change-induced migration is reshaping communities worldwide. As habitats become uninhabitable, human and animal populations search for new places, leading to potential conflicts over resources. In Zambia, for example, 22 districts had whole communities that were under water because of the floods experienced during the 2023 rain season, and it is projected that 78 districts across the 10 provinces are at high risk of flooding (CARE International in Zambia, 2023). This is likely to cause displacement of people and involuntary migration leading to anxiety, trauma and depression. The involuntary nature of this migration adds a layer of complexity to the challenges confronting the affected communities.

Governments, organizations, and individuals have united in a collective effort to tackle the formidable challenge of climate change. Notably, initiatives like the Conference of Parties (COP) signify global collaboration, where countries come together to strategize on mitigating and responding to these challenges. Although COP 28 (the most recent COP) symbolized a crucial shift away from fossil fuels, the agreed-upon political commitments fell short of initiating an immediate phase-out, and the equally pressing hidden impacts of climate change did not receive commensurate attention. Additionally, there remains a noticeable gap in providing sufficient support for implementation of COP agreements to the disproportionately affected Global South nations.

As such, despite commendable efforts, it is evident that there is an urgent need for more comprehensive and immediate measures that go beyond mere politics, and focus on moral responsibility, to effectively address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. This necessitates not only scientific and technological advancements, but a critical need for political will and responsibility. Implementing policies and strategies on a global scale is essential to mitigate the adverse effects on vulnerable communities.

Additionally, a compelling need exists for holding responsible parties accountable, emphasizing ethical considerations and consequences for unsustainable actions. Combining global solidarity with moral obligations and ethical responsibility is crucial to mitigate climate change. It is imperative for individuals and organizations to actively contribute to addressing and mitigating both the evident and less apparent impacts of climate change, including non-economic losses and damages.

At PRS, we recognize the urgency of addressing these overlooked consequences. Through advocacy, information sharing, and initiatives like our Green Innovation Hub, we are dedicated to documenting, researching, and testing innovative solutions to mitigate the intangible effects of climate change.

You can also join the movement; plant a tree, reduce energy consumption, and advocate for a sustainable future. Let’s collectively address both the visible and hidden challenges of climate change.

We hope this exploration into the less-discussed facets of climate change serves as a call to action. By understanding and addressing these often-hidden consequences, we can collectively pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Let’s act today for a better tomorrow. #ClimateAction #HiddenImpacts 🌍✨