Call for Papers - Persons with Disabilities and Climate Change

Der aktuelle Call for Papers und alle wichtigen Informationen, die Sie für einen Beitrag benötigen.

2023-2 CALL FOR PAPERS

Theme: Persons with Disabilities and Climate Change

Climate change is the defining issue of our time and undoubtedly one of the greatest threats to humanity. Extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods, forest fires and other disasters are among the most threatening consequences of climate change and are expected to become more frequent and intense as a result of the climate crisis. They cause destruction that affects lives and livelihoods around the world. This is especially the case in countries of the Global South.

Climate-related disasters have a particular negative impact on the lives of people who are already vulnerable, living in poverty and facing exclusion. Among others, people with disabilities are disproportionately exposed to increased risk from the negative impacts of climate change due to structural barriers such as lack of accessibility and poverty. They are at risk of being forgotten and/or left behind during emergencies, natural disasters, internal displacement or migration. Also, climate change has a demonstrable impact on the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights. Sudden onset of natural disasters and insidious weather events can significantly affect the access of persons with disabilities to food, safe drinking water and sanitation, health services and medicines, education and training, adequate housing, and access to decent work.  

It is known from numerous reports and studies that people with disabilities are at increased risk in humanitarian disasters. Due to the well-known problem, a specific article was adopted in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). Article 11 requires States Parties to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. However, in the discourse on climate change, people with disabilities are not adequately considered either at the national level or in international negotiations. Neither disaster preparedness nor disaster response take them sufficiently into account yet. People with disabilities have rather been systematically ignored by governments especially in situations of crisis, such as those caused by climate change.

Against this background, issue 2023-2 of the Journal “Disability and International Development” is intended to have a look at the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities, especially in the Global South. The articles may show the relevance of full participation of persons with disabilities in climate-related humanitarian situations and climate-related adaptation measures at local, national, regional and global levels.  

We invite researchers as well as experts with a practical background to contribute (through theoretical or empirical articles) to any of the following topics:

• scientific studies on the impact of climate change on the living conditions of persons with disabilities (e.g. forced migration, nutrition, health),
• models, programmes, concepts, and practices that promote the protection of persons with disabilities in the context of climate change and its effects,
• opportunities, needs and ways forward for the engagement and participation of persons with disabilities in climate action,
  
• data, reports, and concepts on the situation of people with disabilities in the context of climate change and on additionally disadvantaging factors or living situations like the one of women, migrants, and older persons with disabilities, or of people with disabilities in rural areas.

Before you send us your suggestion, please read the “Information for Authors” first and contact the coordination editor via e-mail then:
Judith Langensiepen (langensiepen@bezev.de)

Deadline for submission of papers: May 21, 2023