climate change and the poor in India

If climate change is allowed to occur at its present pace we would be putting poor who constitue 40% (2.6 billion) of the world's poor at a serious disadvantage. The people contribute the least to greenhouse gases and would suffer the most as they do not have the necessary resources to adapt. The emissions by the rural poor in India are estimated to be 335 to 462 kg per capita annually which is neglible. In fact the rich emit five times that amount and have adaptation options ranging from choice of residential location to a variety of livelihood options and a level of economic security. Unfortunately the nations responsible for maximum emissions are also home to the more affluent human beings whose icomes are 10 to 12 times those of their Indian counterparts. These people can a numer of adaptation the most obvious ones being huge land resources, access to advanced technology and purchasing power. Global warming may, in fact be a boon for them with a reduction in heating costs and higher agricultural productivity. the total emissions of USA are 5 times that of China and 15 times those of India. One of the most damaging and visible impacts of climate change is increase in frequency and intensity of disasters. This is applies particularly to hydrological disasters.
India has a 7500 km long coastline which houses numerous communities depending on marine resources. Poverty and dependence on marine resources force them to live in vulnerable areas along the coast. They are the first casualities in times of disaster. They are required to face frequent floods, cyclones droughts etc. From 2000 to 2004 about 2.6 million people were killed in natural disasters 98% of whom were from developing countries. It is this vulnerability of the poor in developing countries like India that so many people are killed.
India has set a growth target of 8-9% annually for the next five years for which it plans to increase its generation from coal based power plants thus adding to global warming. It would be good if somebody would spare a thought for India's rural poor.