klimautsatte

Klimautsatte refers to individuals, communities, or regions that are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. This vulnerability arises from a combination of factors, including geographical location, socioeconomic conditions, and limited adaptive capacity.

Geographically, low-lying coastal areas, small island developing states, and regions prone to extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heatwaves are considered highly susceptible. These areas often face direct threats such as sea-level rise, increased frequency of storms, and water scarcity.

Socioeconomically, marginalized communities often bear a disproportionate burden of climate change. Poverty, lack of access to resources, inadequate infrastructure, and reliance on climate-sensitive livelihoods like agriculture and fishing exacerbate their vulnerability. These groups have fewer means to prepare for, cope with, and recover from climate-related disasters.

Adaptive capacity refers to the ability of a system to adjust to climate change, moderate potential damages, take advantage of opportunities, or cope with the consequences. Klimautsatte populations and regions typically possess low adaptive capacity due to a lack of financial resources, technological know-how, institutional support, and access to information. This limits their ability to implement adaptation strategies and build resilience.

The concept of klimautsatte highlights the uneven distribution of climate change impacts and underscores the need for targeted support and climate justice. International efforts often focus on assisting these vulnerable groups in building resilience and adapting to a changing climate.