Assessing socio-economic vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters: evidence from Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India

Mehebub Sahana,Sufia Rehman,Ashish Kumar Paul,Haroon Sajjad

doi:10.1080/24749508.2019.1700670

Abstract

ABSTRACT Indian Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR), a fragile ecosystem, is susceptible to frequent cyclones, floods, and storm surge. The study impeccably analyzed the socio-economic vulnerability in SBR using pragmatic approach. Average storm surge height, slope amount, flood inundation, drainage proximity, and drainage density were used for assessing exposure while sensitivity and adaptation were examined from the data derived through a comprehensive field survey of 570 households in SBR. The revelation of the study manifested very high vulnerability in Basanti, Gosaba, Kultali, Namkhana, and Patharpratima blocks and high vulnerability in Kakdwip, Sagar, and Hingalganj blocks of SBR. Constant exposure to cyclones and storm surges, frivolous infrastructural setup, impoverish social structure, and lamentation of losses are major barriers to overall socio-economic upliftment of communities. Consolidated infrastructural setup, proper early warning system, disaster monitoring centres, better transport connectivity within remote islands, better livelihood opportunities, education, and awareness may help in improving the socio-economic conditions of the communities. Pragmatic approach assisted in the cogent understanding of climate change impacts and indicated adaptive and mitigation measures to improve coastal society in SBR. Thus, the approach has proven to be effective for analyzing the impact of climate change-induced hazards on socio-economic condition on the communities in coastal areas.

Highlights

IPCC (2007) has remarkably stated that “scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”Rising concerns over climate change impacts have led to the realization of intrinsic variability in climatic regimes on the planet Earth
We have examined socioeconomic vulnerability in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) using its major components and their site-specific sub-indicators
The composite socioeconomic vulnerability revealed that low health status and less access to food and water, low economic condition, and low provision of infrastructure are causes for high and very highsocio-economic vulnerability of the sampled households in SBR

Summary

Introduction

IPCC (2007) has remarkably stated that “scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”Rising concerns over climate change impacts have led to the realization of intrinsic variability in climatic regimes on the planet Earth. If the temperature continues to rise at the current rate, it is plausible that it may reach 1.5°C globally between 2030 and 2052. The mean global temperature is anticipated to reach around 4°C by the end of the century (IPCC, 2018). 1.3 million deaths and 1.4 billion injuries were reported due to geophysical and climatic disasters (storms, floods, tsunamis, heatwaves, drought, earthquake, etc.) during 1998–2017. These vicious disasters have caused displacement and rendered homeless of many people in disaster-affected nations. Developing nations are the most vulnerable to the destructions and damages caused by abrupt disaster events. Studies demonstrated that impoverish groups are more vulnerable to disasters and suffer most from their consequences (Twigg, 2004; UNISDR, 2018; Wisner, Gaillard, & Kelman, 2012)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion