MEV 024: Unit 03 – Social vulnerability
UNIT 3: SOCIAL VULNERABILITY
3.1 Introduction
Vulnerability to climate change is not only
determined by geographic exposure or environmental risks but is deeply rooted
in social structures and inequalities. Social vulnerability refers to
the inability of people, communities, or societies to withstand adverse impacts
due to limited access to resources, services, and power. It reflects how
social, economic, demographic, and cultural characteristics influence the
capacity of individuals and groups to prepare for, respond to, and recover from
environmental hazards.
Understanding social vulnerability is essential
for building inclusive and equitable climate adaptation strategies. It helps
identify the most at-risk populations—often marginalized due to poverty,
gender, caste, age, disability, or limited education—and highlights systemic
weaknesses that exacerbate the effects of climate change.
3.2 Objectives
After completing this unit, you will be able
to:
- Define and differentiate between physical and social vulnerability.
- Understand key social, economic, and demographic factors
contributing to social vulnerability.
- Identify methods for analyzing social vulnerability using
community-based and data-driven approaches.
- Appreciate the role of education, technology, and inclusion in
reducing social vulnerability.
- Apply knowledge to assess socially vulnerable groups in a climate
risk context.
3.3 Concept of Physical and
Social Vulnerability
3.3.1 Physical Vulnerability
Physical vulnerability refers to
the susceptibility of the built environment, natural systems, and
infrastructure to damage from environmental hazards such as floods,
earthquakes, or storms. It is influenced by:
- Geographic location (e.g., proximity to coastlines, fault lines).
- Infrastructure quality (e.g., housing, roads, drainage).
- Environmental conditions (e.g., deforestation, soil erosion).
- Hazard characteristics (e.g., frequency, magnitude, and duration of
events).
For instance, low-lying coastal areas are physically
vulnerable to sea-level rise and cyclones due to their location and terrain.
3.3.2 Social Vulnerability
Social vulnerability focuses on
the capacity of people and communities to cope with and recover from
environmental stressors. It reflects systemic inequalities and the distribution
of resources and opportunities.
Key characteristics of social vulnerability
include:
- Limited access to healthcare, education, or employment.
- Social marginalization or discrimination.
- Poor governance or lack of political representation.
- Cultural and linguistic isolation.
Social vulnerability often overlaps with
physical vulnerability, compounding the risks for disadvantaged groups.
3.4 Factors Contributing to
Social Vulnerability
3.4.1 Social Factors
Social structures and relationships
significantly impact vulnerability. Key social factors include:
- Caste, ethnicity, and race: Discriminatory
practices can prevent certain groups from accessing resources or
participating in decision-making.
- Gender roles: Women often face additional burdens due to caregiving
responsibilities and limited mobility or voice in public spheres.
- Social capital: Strong community networks and mutual support systems can reduce
vulnerability.
3.4.2 Economic Factors
Poverty and economic inequality limit the
ability to adapt or recover from climate impacts:
- Low income levels restrict access to food,
clean water, shelter, or healthcare.
- Unstable employment, especially in informal
sectors, increases risk during climate shocks.
- Lack of financial services (e.g., insurance,
credit) limits adaptive capacity.
3.4.3 Demographic Factors
Certain population groups are more vulnerable
due to their demographic characteristics:
- Children and elderly are physically more
susceptible to health impacts.
- Persons with disabilities may face mobility and
communication barriers.
- Migrants and refugees often lack social
security, property rights, or access to aid.
3.4.4 Education and Access to
Technology
- Low literacy limits awareness and preparedness for climate risks.
- Lack of technical knowledge affects the ability to
interpret warnings or use protective technologies.
- Digital divide: Limited access to internet or mobile phones hinders access to
early warning systems and disaster information.
3.5 Social Vulnerability
Analysis
Assessing social vulnerability requires a
combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. It must consider the
diverse experiences and contexts of different population groups.
3.5.1 Community-Based Method
- Uses participatory tools like focus group discussions, mapping
exercises, and vulnerability matrices.
- Helps capture local knowledge, experiences, and perceptions.
- Ensures that voices of marginalized groups are included in
vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning.
Examples:
- Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
- Community Risk Mapping
3.5.2 Census and Other
Existing Secondary Data
- Demographic data from national census reports provide valuable
insights into population distribution, education, employment, gender
ratio, etc.
- Other sources include health surveys, poverty databases, and local
government records.
- Statistical analysis and indicator-based scoring systems help in
constructing Social Vulnerability Indices (SVIs).
Advantages:
- Broad spatial coverage.
- Enables temporal comparisons.
- Useful for targeting interventions at regional or national levels.
3.5.3 Contextual Analysis of
Image and GIS Data
- Integrating satellite imagery and Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) enables mapping of vulnerability hotspots.
- Combines spatial data (e.g., slum locations, flood zones) with
social indicators (e.g., population density, literacy rate).
- Facilitates cross-sectoral and location-specific interventions.
Examples:
- Mapping informal settlements prone to heat stress.
- Overlaying flood zones with elderly population data.
3.6 Let Us Sum Up
- Social vulnerability emphasizes how social, economic, and
demographic inequalities shape people’s ability to cope with climate
change.
- It is distinct from physical vulnerability but often overlaps with
it, especially in marginalized or resource-poor regions.
- Factors like poverty, social exclusion, lack of education, and
unequal access to technology increase social vulnerability.
- Assessing social vulnerability involves community engagement, use
of secondary data, and spatial analysis.
- Addressing social vulnerability is key to inclusive and effective
climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
3.7 Key Words
- Social Vulnerability: The inability of
individuals or groups to withstand or recover from environmental hazards due
to social or economic disadvantages.
- Physical Vulnerability: Susceptibility of
infrastructure and the physical environment to climate risks.
- Social Capital: The networks and relationships that enable
communities to support each other.
- Participatory Methods: Techniques involving
community input in assessment and planning.
- Vulnerability Index: A composite measure to
quantify and compare vulnerability.
- Census Data: Population-level data used for demographic and socio-economic
analysis.
- GIS Mapping: Use of geospatial tools to analyze and visualize vulnerability
patterns.
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