Impacts of Climate Change on Social Life of Older People in District Nowshera- Pakistan

Abstract

The study was carried out in district Nowshera  in 2017, in order to examine the effects of  climate change  on social life of older people . The Universe of the study was District Nowshera which consist of three tehsil namely Phabbi, Nowshera and Jehangira while in the first stage purposively two tehsil Phabbi and Nowshera  were selected on the basis of more climate affection. On the same methodology in the second stage villages Kheshgi Bala and Cant union councils were selected from Nowshera  while Mohib Banda, Pashtung Ghari and Jabba Khansa were chosen from tehsil Phabbi on the same analogy. The number of  respondents were 117 in the selected villages   while   number of male was 54 and women  was 63. The data was collected through focused group discussion, Key Informant interview and consultation meeting with older people of the study area. The results indicate that climate change has affected the pattern of the rainfall and flood and temperature which has disturbed the social life of the older people. The flood has destroyed the land and houses which affected the livelihood of the younger people, so the yournger for the purpose of their livelihood left their houses from district Nowshera and left older people at their home for care of the families. The look after responsibilities fell on older people shoulder which latter on affect their health. Government has arranged different programs for helping the communities while the poor older people of the communities have no access to these programs and the rich old people get the benefit of the program very easily due to their good approaches. Load shedding is the serious problems which affect the function of the fans and AC. Due to fans and AC the mosquitoes at night disturb the older people sleepiness which make the environment unfavorable for the older people which latter on affect their health and daily activities. Crimes and poverty also increased, lack of livelihood in the study area.  On the basis of problems credit should be provided to older people for their financial problems on free interest basis from the bank. Safety network should be established in the study area for solving the problems. Rescue team should be arranged for emergency problems of the older people in the study area. Health services should be facilitated in the study area for older people for social life improvement.

Keywords: - Climate, Impact, Social Life,  Older People,  District Nowshera

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-4-03

Publication date: April 30^th 2019