Impact of climate change on coastal communities and security
Varghese Mathew, Nitin Agarwala
Abstract
Oceans are an indispensable component of the Earth’s biosphere, one that plays a pivotal role in regulating global climate, sustaining biodiversity, and supporting human livelihood. However, their health has been under threat as a result of various anthropogenic activities and naturally occurring events caused by climate change. With nearly 29 % of the world population residing within 50 km of the coast, the impact of climate change on coastal communities cannot be undermined or overlooked, as climate change is difficult to stop. Hence, it becomes important to define contours of the expected impact, so as to mitigate high-probability and high-risk future scenarios while ensuring ocean sustainability to create resilience and adaptation mechanisms for coastal communities. To address this, this review paper examines evolving multifaceted impacts of climate change globally on coastal communities and emerging security issues for a nation to help identify inescapable areas for mitigation and adaptation. The study shows that the impact of climate change on coastal communities and security underscores an urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate and adapt to these challenges. By prioritising resilience, collaboration, and innovation, security issues for nations and their coastal communities can be addressed better. To achieve this requires a united global effort, blending science, technology, and policies together to address complex interplay between climate change and coastal security. Highlights The impact of climate change on coastal communities and security underscores an urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate and adapt to these challenges. By prioritising resilience, collaboration, and innovation, coastal communities can be better safeguarded and long-term stability in the face of a changing climate ensured. The path forward requires a united global effort, blending scientific research, technological advancements, and proactive policies to address the complex interplay between climate change and coastal security.