Reading the Supreme Court judgment on the Right to Life and climate change
In a judgment that flew below the radar, the Supreme Court of India brought the impact of climate change into sharp focus. The case was about the Great Indian Bustard but the apex court articulated a powerful idea in the judgment – that Indians have a right against the adverse effects of climate change. This is significant because it expands the scope of Article 21 and Article 14, includes climate impact in the ambit of human rights, and clearly places responsibility on governments. The implications are far-reaching as climate impact intensifies leaving millions defenceless.