Impacts of climate change on marginalized communities, tourism and their sustainable livelihood in a developing economy

It is a well-known phenomenon that marginalized communities living in areas which potentially have great attraction for tourists in Pakistan also suffer most from the effects of climate change. The fact that marginalized communities represent no significant potential and power to combat the increased disaster risks that climate change is bringing is further dragging them to serious vulnerabilities. In developing countries there is a need to bring marginalized communities to the front line of adapting to climate change, as increasing floods and droughts impact upon their livelihoods. These communities are mostly engaged with agricultural activities, fish farming and live close to the natural environment and forests where most of the tourist attractions are located. Marginalized communities should have experience and awareness to build the resilience of their communities to the intensifying natural hazards to come but unfortunately, the situation is against the hypothesis. With no involvement and contribution of marginalized communities while decision-making, real community adaptation to climate change disasters simply cannot be achieved. This paper aims to point out the critical nexus between marginalized communities' experiences of climate change, disaster risk reduction, and how they can come collectively to make a whole society strong and sustainable. Climate changing patterns of eight districts of Pakistan are being analyzed by using monthly data from 2000 to 2013 on the amount of precipitation (mm) and mean monthly temperature and mean monthly maximum temperature (mean daily maximum temperature) as indicators of distorting climate patterns, especially in the last ten years.