India, China, Bangladesh and the Netherlands are facing the risk of sea level rise globally, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
In this regard, the World Meteorological Organization has published a report, “The average sea level rise between 2013 – 2022 is 4.5 mm per year. Previously, between 1901 – 1971, the average sea level rise was 1.3 mm per year. It was 1.9 mm per year between 1971 – 2006.” .m and increased by 3.7 mm per year between 2006 – 2018. Sea level rise is three times greater between 2013 – 2022 than between 1901 – 1971.
The threat of sea level rise has been increasing since the beginning of the 20th century. Many large cities on all continents are affected by sea level rise. According to this, Shanghai, Dhaka, Bangkok, Jakarta, Mumbai, Maputo, Lagos, Cairo, London, Copenhagen, New York, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires and Santiago are on the list of cities facing the risk of sea level rise.
This will create huge economic, social and human challenges. Sea level rise threatens coastal agricultural lands, water levels, infrastructure resilience, human lives and livelihoods. The impacts of mean sea level rise are amplified by storm surge and tidal variability. Hurricane Sandy in New York is similar to the situation when Hurricane Idai made landfall in Mozambique.
And sea-level rise is not uniform globally. Varies regionally. Meanwhile, continued, accelerating sea-level rise will encroach on coastal habitats, infrastructure, and submerge low-lying coastal ecosystems and cause loss. If urbanization trends continue in underutilized areas, the impacts will be greater.
And climate change will put more pressure on food production and access. Especially in vulnerable areas, food insecurity and malnutrition will occur. Coastal cities and settlements play an important role in moving towards more climate-resilient development.
First, in 2020 nearly 11% of the world’s population (896 million people) lived within low-lying coastal zones. This will rise to more than 1 billion by 2050. These populations, and associated development, face increasing climate composite risks, including sea-level rise.”
Regarding this, the researchers said, “India is a major hotspot. Coastal impacts due to climate change. Sea level rise is exposing water insecurity in the country due to salinity. Secondly, it has also caused a decline in fish production. This is not a healthy sign for India.”
Governments should therefore focus on water conservation measures to protect the livelihood of fishermen and provide safe and clean water to coastal residents. Climate change-induced sea-level rise needs further discussion at the policy level.