**Preface**

Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns. It is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, that release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thus trapping heat and causing the Earth's temperature to rise. The impacts of climate change include rising sea levels, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and changes in ecosystems and agriculture. Addressing climate change requires us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources, as well as to adapting to the changes that are already underway.

Being involved with the climate has been a personal journey for me. In my childhood, I didn't think much about the environment or its impact on our lives. I began to realize the urgency of the situation as I learnt more about the science of climate change and its potential consequences at school via geography. Subsequently, I trained to become a meteorological assistant and worked at the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Office for over twenty years. There, I was able to familiarize myself with the weather and weather events. I then decided to switch careers and became a professional social worker, another rewarding venture. In the academic world, I was finally able to bring together those two areas—climate and social work. This has become my niche area for research and publications. As I continued to educate myself and publish in the area of climate change, I became more involved in advocacy and activism efforts. Climate change is a complex issue, but I believe that every individual action can make a difference. We all must do our part to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect our planet for future generations.

Vulnerable populations around the world are being affected by climate change. These populations, which include low-income communities, children and others, are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. This includes increased the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, food and water shortages, and health risks such as heat stroke and respiratory illness. Governments and organizations need to prioritize the needs of these populations in their climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. This includes providing access to resources and support for adaptation strategies, as well as addressing the root causes of climate change such as greenhouse gas emissions. By prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations, we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

This book is the beginning of a journey with climate change and its impact on vulnerable populations. I hope it brings clarity, awareness and enhanced knowledge of its effects and creates an impetus for action throughout the world.

> **Debra D. Joseph Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados**

The central theme of this book is the impact that climate change has on vulnerable populations around the world. It covers a wide range of key issues that diverse groups who are sensitive to changes in the climate are likely to experience before, during and after the occurrence of change. To this end, the complications arising from these events include a multitude of problems such as the displacement of the elderly; homeless and disabled communities; growth in infant mortality; the rise of major environmental hazards such as air pollution and the improper disposal of solid waste; the upsurge of mental health conditions amongst the youth and adult population, and those living in poverty; as well as the challenges experienced by persons when dependent upon the sea as a source of food and income.

The research conducted in this field is an important as, although there is great emphasis on the prominent goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), which is to bring down the concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere to a manageable level in order to reduce human interference in the environment to the point where it does not pose a risk to the earth and its 7.8 billion inhabitants, there is not enough emphasis placed on the impact that climate change and natural disasters have on the already vulnerable groups around the world. Thus, there is a need for information discussing these and more of the issues highlighted in this book, particularly as they relate to the experiences of vulnerable groups in the Global South. Indeed, this most of this book comprises research from the Caribbean region, and individual countries like South Africa and Pakistan.

Research on the impact that climate change has on vulnerable populations around the world has escalated in recent years because, as climate change events such as extreme heat, flooding, food insecurity, and air pollution, continue to worsen, there is a chain reaction, or even evolution, in how vulnerable groups such as women, children and older adults react to them. This creates an added burden on household and economic systems, as these vulnerable groups may develop low immunity, worsen pre-existing conditions like heart disease and heat-related illnesses, and enhance the need for adequate housing, thus increasing the need for public healthcare and infrastructure. Therefore, research into these areas must form the foundation of the informed policy decision making necessary at the governmental and institutional levels in order to change the ways that these bodies address the consequences of climate change events experienced by vulnerable groups.

There is a need for the kinds of research displayed in this book in order to expound on the vulnerabilities of the most defenseless segments of the world's population, who may not have the chance nor the opportunity to have their grievances heard on the world stage. What makes this book an unusual and worthwhile piece of literature is that it exemplifies the problems that vulnerable groups experience concerning climate change events from a scholarly perspective, which makes the content integral to policy development. In this regard, the content of this book may be attractive and beneficial to not only graduate students and academics who may wish to build on the foundation provided in this book regarding climate change and human vulnerabilities, but may be of great use to government bodies in the design of climate change policies that relate to vulnerable populations.

> **Roshnie A. Doon Global Labor Organization (GLO) Essen, Germany**
