Climate Change and Challenges for Individuals with Disability

People with disabilities are more vulnerable to climate change, as it can worsen existing health issues and create new psychological and physical challenges. This vulnerability is compounded for those already disadvantaged by socioeconomic circumstances or residing in regions disproportionately affected by climate change, for example, people living in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, individuals with disabilities often encounter practical barriers in their environment and are more likely to not be included into decision-making processes related to climate change and healthcare. Thus, there is a critical need for increased participation of individuals with disabilities in research, utilizing existing theories such as the common sense model of illness representation (CSM) to understand the intersection between disabilities and climate change. Additionally, policies and decision-making processes must be made more accessible and inclusive to ensure that no one is left behind due to cognitive or physiological disadvantages.