Climate Crisis and Pourakarmikas

The IPCC AR5 WGII (2014) report notes that socially and geographically disadvantaged people – including people facing discrimination based on gender, age, race, class, caste, indigeneity and disability – are particularly affected negatively by climate hazards. Thus, Pourakarmikas are at the forefront of the climate crisis. As one of Bengaluru’s most essential workers, their exposure to the risks of Climate Change is significant. Extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent as a result of Climate Change, reinforce the long-standing inequalities of caste, class and gender in a severe manner. This coupled with the harsher working conditions that Climate Change inevitably brings with it, the brittle status of the Pourakarmikas is predicted to only worsen. A working paper by DESA shows that disadvantaged communities are the most susceptible to the climate crisis due to 3 main reasons. One, the increase in the exposure of disadvantaged groups to the adverse effects of Climate Change. Two, the increase in their susceptibility to damage caused by Climate Change. And three, decrease in their ability to cope and recover from the damage suffered. This holds true in the case of the Pourakarmikas as well.

As waste pickers, Pourakarmikas are exposed to the adverse effects of Climate Change. Bengaluru has witnessed a sharp increase in temperature in the last two decades as a result of declining green cover and extreme vehicular pollution. This along with erratic weather patterns like undue rains, that precede even the pre monsoon showers, is clear evidence of Climate Change and environmental degradation in Bengaluru. The nature of Pourakarmikas’ occupation demands them to work outdoors for long hours under the harsh and ever changing weather conditions as described above. They are also made to work with poor quality and unscientific protective gear while handling toxic and hazardous materials that increases their exposure to the adverse effects of Climate Change.

Pourakarmikas are also susceptible to the damaging effects caused by Climate Change. One of the important ways in which caste-based occupational discrimination and inequality increase the susceptibility of the disadvantaged groups to damages caused by Climate Change is through effects on health. The ‘Socio-Economic Profile of the Pourakarmikas’ states due to the nature of their work and the lack of protective equipment, Pourakarmikas are at the risk of contracting numerous diseases. Tuberculosis, respiratory allergies, nutritional issues, diabetes, arthritis, diarrheal diseases, skin problems, asthma, gynecological diseases and cancer are some of the diseases that Pourakarmikas are commonly prone to. Apart from physical health, the generational inequality and discrimination faced by Pourakarmikas also makes them susceptable to various mental health issues that are unfortunately not as widely studied. Many Pourakarmikas also face tobacco and alcohol addiction issues. These existing health conditions are exacerbated with increased exposure to heatwaves, pollutants and erratic weather patterns, all symptoms of Climate Change.

Pourakarmikas also have a decreased ability to cope and recover from the damage suffered during the climate crisis. To rephrase, they have reduced access to facilities that would enable coping and recovering due to generations of caste and class based discrimination. As previously discussed, Pourakarmikas are susceptible to the damaging effects of Climate Change and have increased exposure to its adverse effects. Access to health care, health insurance, safety equipment, toilet and sanitation facilities is largely absent. Pourakarmikas often do not get paid sick leaves and even if they do take a day off, they are faced with the threat of unemployment. Basic nutrition, required medications, regular meals and many more facilities for good immunity that privileged people in the city consider as a necessity, especially during the pandemic, are sadly absent from the daily lives of the Pourakarmikas. It is also a well-known fact that their life spans are well below the national average. This reduces their ability to cope and physically recover from the damage suffered during the climate crisis.

What we see in the case of the Pourakarmikas, and waste workers at large, is generational and continued inequality. There are also direct and indirect injustices that arise due to Climate Change. These injustices follow a vicious cycle that must be broken to ensure climate justice and labour equality. One way in which we propose this vicious cycle of climate injustice faced by Pourakarmikas is broken, or at the least, addressed, is through decentralised SWM.