Climate and Assistive Technology

Image Description [Alt Text]: On a dark blue background, with sky blue digitally-styled patterns and elements representing science and technology. At the top, there are logos of The Sangyan and Build Forward Better Campaign, as well as The Sangyan’s QR code. The following texts on the poster are as follows: ‘Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat’ (at the centre-top), National Science Day (in the centre), and “विद्या वितर्को विज्ञानं स्मृतिः तत्परता क्रिया । यस्यैते षड्गुणास्तस्य नासाध्यमतिवर्तते ॥ ~ महर्षि चरक [“Nothing is impossible for those who have these six virtues — Knowledge, Logic, Science, Memory, Readiness and Ability to function] (at the bottom).

The National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’. The theme for National Science Day 2024 is “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat”, which celebrates and reflects a strategic focus on promoting public appreciation for Science, Technology and Innovation and the accomplishments of Indian scientists to address challenges through home-grown technologies for overall well-being by significantly enhancing the ‘Quality and Ease of Living’.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, remarked that “The theme not only marks a new era but also presents an opportunity for public and scientific fraternity, both domestically and internationally, to collaborate, work together, and contribute to the well-being of India and humanity as a whole. While emphasizing the importance of making India Atmanirbhar through science, it underscores the need to address subjects that hold significance for humanity as a whole.”

In that spirit, climate change and inaccessibility are such subjects that need urgent attention and action as they act as threat multipliers with negative externalities, having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, including children, women, old adults, and persons with disabilities.

The reality of global climate change has heightened the critical importance of science and technological innovation to achieve sustainable development goals. To adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, we use climate technologies such as drought-resistant crops, early warning systems and sea walls. [UNFCCC]

The consequences of climate change on social systems are expected to vary in different regions of the world on account of several regional and other local factors. Therefore, different modelling studies, adaptation strategies and technology systems would be required in differing geographical, climatic conditions, and social contexts. [DST]

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Satellites-based GIS, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), among other innovations of science and technology, to issue detailed climate change-induced alerts, has already become mainstreamed and is an effective solution to inclusive climate action, like Sachet App [National Disaster Alert Portal] in India.

Climate Science and Technology have been paving the way for Disability-inclusive Climate Justice by ensuring research and developments concerning Assistive Devices and Technologies, Early Warning Systems, GIS-based Real-Time Data and Decision Making, etc., that further needs investment and implementation at all levels. In that respect, in order to build ‘Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, initiatives like Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme need to integrate and scale climate and assistive technological solutions.

About the Author

Adv. Abhishek Kumar, Founder and Curator — The Sangyan.

NCPEDP-Javed Abidi Fellow on Disability.