EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON THE COASTS Only

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON THE COASTS “Only when the last tree has died, the last river poisoned and the last fish caught, will we realize that we cannot eat money” By: AADI VAIDYA SHOBHIT SINGH SHITAL SHIRSAT PRAJAKT SURVE

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING? �Refers to the long term increase in temperature which is global in nature. �Disturbs balance between hot and cold areas in the atmosphere. �Caused by the increase in GHG(CO 2, CH 4, N 2 O…), they act as a blanket resulting a rise in temperature

CONTRIBUTION OF GHG’S TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING �Climate should not be confused with weather. �Climate change refers to variation in global and regional climates over time �Changes the climate system as a whole shifting the average pattern. �Climate change and global warming are co related

CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING ……. Human activities …. . main cause �Burning of fossil fuels - emit excess GHGs making a thicker blanket of ghg’s increasing heat �Forest destruction �Increase in co 2 �Industrial pollution �Incorrect waste management �Depletion of land soil………

IMPACTS Coastal ecosystem: • Includes mangrooves, coral reefs, sea grass, marine life • Vulnerable to the effects of frequency changes in rainfall and level rise • May be damaged by warmer sea temperature disasters • Can cause high tides, storms, floods, seismic sea waves(tsunami) • 46 mn people on an average are affected economic impacts • Damages economic sectors

………………… �many coastal communities are affected �increase in global warming is leading to the increase in various infections �disruption of sanitation, drainage, sewage disposal, system �psychological and other illnesses �transmission of diseases and breeding of insects • Many industries set up at the coastal regions can be harmed in turn affecting the Indian economy

THE INDIAN SITUATION �Mean temperature increase of 3 to 5 degree C by end of century – more pronounced in north � 20% rise in Indian monsoon �More extremes – especially over west coast of India and west central India �Reduced crop production due to increased temperature and higher CO 2 content �An increase in cyclones in Bay of Bengal �Flooding of low lying areas producing climate refugees

INDIAN COASTLINE �Total length from Sunder bans in West Bengal till the Rann of Kutch in gujarat-5700 km. �Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar group of islands constitute-1810 km �few major coastal ports Mumbai, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, Kochi and Goa �Western coastline has a continental shelf having an area of 0. 13 mn sq. km.

CRZ �Coastal regulation zone is the boundary from the high tide line up to 500 m in the land -ward side. �Four categories: �CRZ I : Ecologically important areas like national parks �CRZ II: Already exploited to some extent like drainage etc. �CRZ III: Undisturbed areas not included under I & II. �CRZ IV : Coastal areas in Andamans, Lakshadweep and other small islands.

THE GREATEST THREAT- SEA LEVEL RISE �Inundation of coastal colonies �India is one of the 28 countries endagered from sea level rise �Total area of 5763 sqkm and 4. 6% of the coastal population would be affected �Most vulnerable areas-gujarat, mumbai, south kerala, lakshadweep islands

DISPLACEMENT OF COMMUNITIES Facts: �Reports say-sea level rise between 15 to 38 cm can affect tens of thousands of people at the coasts �A meter rise today would displace 7 million people �Sudhir Chellarajan(IIT professor)has determined that by the end of the century 12 million people would be displaced in west Bengal �The problem of coastal refugees would start irking the governments soon : their rehabilitation, compensation and effect on economy. .

BYE BEACHES……. �Threatning to chew up beaches of Vishakhapatnam. In the past month it has gouged 75 metre of the section through erosion �Puri’s beaches are slowly disintegrating �Climatic factors and man made development is causing heavy toll on the beaches of Goa. Water has started to enter close to solid ground…. would affect tourism and local coastal communities

GLOBAL WARMING CAUSING CHANGE IN MONSOONS �Changes in the monsoon pattern in India are expected to result in severe floods, droughts �Scientists predict a 3 -5 degree rise in temperature causing a 20% increase in summer rainfall. �A vast population depends upon rainfall for their livelihood �Changes in water cycle can cause diseases such as malaria, cholera, hepatitis, etc.

SEA WATER INTRUSION �The vulnerability area increases with every 0. 5 m rise in sea level. �Maximum near the creeks and minimum along main coast. �Irrigated agriculture, coastal activities , tourism at risk �Saline water may make land unfit for agriculture �Two islands already vanished from Sunder bans displacing 7000 people. Two more islands at risk.

Increased Sea Level, Increased Floods

MUMBAI �Frequent floods and sea water intrusion has affected structural stability of high rise buildings �About 40% of the population in Mumbai vulnerable to sea water intrusion due increased water level �Low lying areas of Byculla to Parel and Dadar which had mill areas given to industries �Huge construction have destroyed their capability of acting as water sinks during heavy rains �Again dislocation of people

VOICE OF FISHERFOLK: � “EARLIER WE USED TO OFFER COCONUTS TO THE GODS OF THE SEA AND THEY USED TO LET US FISH PEACEFULLY. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE……. . ” THIS IS THE VOICE OF THE FISHERFOLK � HAVE NO FAITH ON THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES � “MANY TIMES THEY HAVE ISSUED WARNINGS, BUT NOTHING EVER HAPPENS………. BUT THEY DON’T REALISE THAT OUR LIVELIHOOD IS AT STAKE” � “WE DO NOT DEMAND TO SHUT DOWN INDUSTRIES……BUT TO GIVE US ATLEAST OUR SHARE”

COASTAL REFUGEES �Special type of climate refugees – basically inhabitants of the coasts �Displaced due to rise in sea level and inundation of their villages �Or due to sea water intrusion making land saline and unavailable for agriculture � 7000 people already coastal refugees in Sunder bans and 70, 000 looming under large threat �No proper care hence can lead to dissent among people

C L I M A T E R E F U G E E S

Story-The end of world in Versova �Over a hundred shanties were swept away last year July, tides rose to 5. 05 m. � 13 lakh people in a state of risk �Fresh water supply has drastically reduced �Improper drainage system �the IPCC (intergovernmental panel on climate change)has declared Versova as danger zone

GOVERNMENT ACTIONS �A metre increase in sea level can affect 13 lakh people �Government has sanctioned Mr. Rajendra. K. Pachauri along with his committee to do a probe study on the coastal regions of Maharastra (worth 98 lakhs) �They have collaborated with MOHC(met office Headley centre) �Different agencies may differ but what is of main concern is the impacts

OPTING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT �Sustainable development means developing in such a way that our resources are utilised in the best possible way and can be replenished for future generations �Now has become a global concept �Many countries have recognised it and are adopting it �It is necessary for all �This would directly affect the lives of the people

INDIA WITH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: �In India current plans are to tally contradictory to sustainable development �Growth in power, transport, energy would alone contribute 40% of GHG emissions �The planning commission and the government have to bind sustainable development and economic growth plans in such a way that they don’t conflict each other

WHAT IS TO BE DONE? �Despite of have to make a choice and our future will depend on that �We cannot solely rely on government agencies, scientists and economists to act �While coastal communities have a low carbon footprint than us, we can too reduce ours by adopting various methods of alternative sources of energy �We should change our thinking of using exotic products, which have created a mindset of a higher standard of living �We should realise that saving resources would in turn be the best possible way to live

CAN INDIA SHOW THE WAY ? �Developed countries worst polluters �India and China still developing and can build in an environmental friendly way �Public Transport, low carbon emissions etc. should be aimed �Actively supported the cause of environment in Copenhagen Summit �Basic professions like agriculture and mining can easily reduce carbon emissions

A GENDER AND LIVELIHOOD BASED APPROACH �Gender refers to social roles and relations between men and women �Use participatory approaches to involve all members of the community in planning �Enhance local capacity to adapt �Introduce tools in a locally sensitive way �Draw on local knowledge �Understand local gender roles

CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME �Can not solely depend on government agencies, research and scientists �Underlying point remains the same : Reduce your carbon footprint. �Use more non conventional sources of energy - sun, wind etc. �Coastal Management should be based on the region – decentralized �Decision making should be flexible

BIBLIOGRAPHY Websites: �www. infochangeindia. org �www. wikipedia. com/globalwarming Books and magazine: �The Coast isn’t Clear – Voices from Mumbai’s Margins �Mumbai Mirror – 28 th April, 2009 Resource Person: �Mr. John – Centre for Education and Documentation, Colaba �Ms. Jacintha - Centre for Education and Documentation, Colaba

THANK YOU. “It seems to me that we all look at nature too much, and live with her too little” - Oscar Wilde