Daily Current Affairs : 1-November-2023
Coastal adaptation is vital to protect communities and infrastructure from the growing threats posed by natural hazards and climate change. A recent study in the journal Nature Climate Change assessed the coastal adaptation efforts in various regions, including Indian coastal areas like Mumbai, Ghoramara in Sundarbans, Puri in Odisha, and the Konkan regions. This essay delves into the key findings of the study, the concept of coastal adaptation, and the initiatives taken by the Indian government for coastal management.
Key Findings of the Study Global Vulnerability and Economic Impact
- Approximately 11% of the world’s population resides in low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to flooding.
- These regions contribute around 14% to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Adaptation Gap Assessment
- Almost 50% of the surveyed regions showed significant gaps in adaptation efforts, focusing on individual risks rather than addressing root causes of vulnerability.
- About 13% of the case studies demonstrated high-to-very-high levels of adaptation, primarily observed in Europe and North America.
- The remaining regions fell into the moderate category, including Australia and New Zealand.
Specific Region Assessments
- In India, Mumbai, Puri, Konkan, and Ghoramara region in Sundarbans displayed varying levels of adaptation measures.
- Ghoramara exhibited generic adaptation plans but lacked locally tailored state-agency-specific strategies.
- The Konkan region also lacked adaptation plans, failing to address multiple coastal hazards in the state’s action plan.
- Mumbai possessed a climate action plan but faced challenges in accurately assessing risks and addressing the specific needs of vulnerable residents.
- Puri, despite having action plans, lacked sector-specific adaptation strategies and the identification of high-risk communities.
Coastal Adaptation Coastal adaptation involves a set of strategies and actions aimed at mitigating the impact of natural hazards and climate change on coastal regions. Its primary objectives include safeguarding communities and infrastructure from rising sea levels, erosion, and extreme weather events.
Advantages of Coastal Adaptation
- Economic Growth: Implementing coastal adaptation initiatives can stimulate economic growth by fostering climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and eco-tourism industries, generating employment and business prospects.
- Ecosystem Restoration: Effective coastal adaptation can lead to the restoration and preservation of natural ecosystems, protecting indigenous species and creating habitats for endangered wildlife.
- Disaster Resilience: Coastal adaptation reduces the vulnerability of coastal communities to natural disasters through resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and natural barriers.
- Food Security: Coastal adaptation practices, including aquaculture and sustainable fishing, ensure a reliable supply of seafood and agricultural produce, contributing to global food security.
Challenges in Coastal Adaptation
- Diverse Stakeholders: Coordination among government bodies, local communities, businesses, and environmental groups can be challenging due to differing priorities, leading to delays and conflicts.
- Climate Uncertainty: Predicting future climate scenarios is difficult, making long-term planning complex and resulting in uncertainties in infrastructure and development.
- Community Disruption: Some adaptation initiatives may necessitate population relocation or changes in land use, potentially disrupting social structures and community cohesion.
Indian Government Initiatives for Coastal Management
- Hazard Line: The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change established a hazard line for India’s coast to manage shoreline changes resulting from climate change.
- Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019: This regulation aims to conserve coastal areas and livelihoods, allowing erosion control measures while defining No Development Zones.
- Coastal Management Information System (CMIS): CMIS collects near-shore coastal data to design and maintain protection structures at vulnerable stretches.
- Successful Measures: Successful coastal erosion mitigation measures were demonstrated in Puducherry and Kerala, contributing to the restoration and protection of coastal areas.
Important Points:
- Key Findings of the Study:
- 11% of the world’s population in low-lying coastal areas is vulnerable to flooding.
- These regions contribute 14% to the global GDP.
- Adaptation Gap Assessment:
- 50% of surveyed regions have significant gaps in adaptation efforts.
- 13% show high-to-very-high levels of adaptation, mainly in Europe and North America.
- The rest fall into the moderate category, including Australia and New Zealand.
- Specific Region Assessments in India:
- Varying levels of adaptation measures in Mumbai, Puri, Konkan, and Ghoramara (Sundarbans).
- Mumbai has a climate action plan but faces challenges in assessing risks and addressing vulnerable residents’ needs.
- Puri lacks sector-specific adaptation strategies and identification of high-risk communities.
- Ghoramara lacks locally tailored state-agency-specific strategies.
- Coastal Adaptation:
- Involves strategies to mitigate natural hazards and climate change impact.
- Aims to safeguard communities from rising sea levels, erosion, and extreme weather events.
- Advantages of Coastal Adaptation:
- Stimulates economic growth through climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and eco-tourism.
- Leads to ecosystem restoration, protecting indigenous species and endangered wildlife habitats.
- Enhances disaster resilience through early warning systems and resilient infrastructure.
- Ensures food security via aquaculture, sustainable fishing, and agricultural practices.
- Challenges in Coastal Adaptation:
- Coordination challenges among government bodies, local communities, businesses, and environmental groups.
- Difficulty in predicting future climate scenarios, leading to uncertainties in planning.
- Potential community disruption due to population relocation or changes in land use.
- Indian Government Initiatives for Coastal Management:
- Establishment of a hazard line to manage shoreline changes from climate change.
- Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019, conserving coastal areas and livelihoods.
- Coastal Management Information System (CMIS) for collecting near-shore coastal data.
- Successful coastal erosion mitigation measures demonstrated in Puducherry and Kerala.
Why In News
A study published in the journal Nature Climate Change has evaluated coastal adaptation efforts in diverse regions, encompassing Indian coastal areas such as Mumbai, Ghoramara in Sundarbans, Puri in Odisha, and the Konkan regions. The study categorizes these initiatives as ‘moderate-to-high’ in terms of their adaptation measures, emphasizing the importance of continued research and collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the resilience of coastal communities worldwide.
MCQs about Coastal Adaptation in India
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Which Indian city possesses a climate action plan but faces challenges in accurately assessing risks and addressing the specific needs of vulnerable residents?
A) Puri
B) Mumbai
C) Konkan
D) Ghoramara
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What is the primary objective of coastal adaptation, as discussed in the essay?
A) Reducing pollution in coastal areas
B) Protecting communities and infrastructure from natural hazards and climate change impacts
C) Promoting industrial development along the coast
D) Expanding urban areas in coastal regions
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Which government body established a hazard line for India’s coast to manage shoreline changes resulting from climate change?
A) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC)
B) Ministry of Urban Development
C) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
D) Ministry of Science and Technology
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