Floods and landslides wreak havoc across South Asia
© UNICEF/Vlad Sokhin
Devastating landslides and floods in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan have been caused by the monsoon season in South Asia. Millions of people have been uprooted and rivers have overflowed in Chattogram and Sylhet, Bangladesh, which are the most hit areas. Significant floods and landslides have also occurred in Tripura and Himachal Pradesh in India. While Pakistan saw widespread flooding and infrastructure destruction, Nepal experienced landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Numerous children have lost their lives as a result of these tragedies, which have claimed hundreds of lives. Millions have been impacted, and a large number of them have lost their houses and jobs. Although relief is being given to individuals in need by humanitarian organizations, many places still have extremely bad conditions. The effects of these disasters are being exacerbated by climate change, and immediate action is required to address the underlying causes of this issue.
What is sea level rise and why does it matter to our future?
© Unsplash/Omar Eagle
Global coastal communities face a serious threat from the rise in sea level brought on by climate change. Compared to previous eras, the rate of increase in the last ten years has doubled, with ocean levels rising by about 20–23 cm since 1880. The melting of ice sheets and glaciers and ocean warming are to blame for this rise. Sea levels would rise and affect millions of people even if global warming is kept to 1.5°C. In particular, the effects are severe for densely populated coastal areas and small island developing states (SIDS). Rising sea levels cause seawater floods, which harm infrastructure, agriculture, and habitats. Moreover, it ruins livelihoods, contaminates freshwater supplies, and may even force mass migration. The occurrence intensifies the effects of other climate-related factors, generating a “threat multiplier.” Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, constructing protective infrastructure, re-establishing natural barriers, and moving vulnerable communities are the main objectives of mitigation measures. The UN is spearheading global efforts to address sea level rise and assist impacted countries through programs like the Paris Agreement and the Loss and Damage Fund. To keep up with the times, measures for catastrophe risk reduction have been developed together with financial support.
Bali’s water temple priests guide a sustainable rice production system
The traditional rice-irrigation technique known as the subak system in Bali is closely linked to the Balinese philosophy known as Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between the gods, nature, and mankind. A key component of Balinese religion, water is managed through subak, a system in which farmers group into local units to maintain a complex irrigation system that is controlled by priests and water temples through the use of “ritual technology.” Modern problems, though, pose a threat to this structure. Due to the disruption of traditional practices brought about by the introduction of hybrid rice and agrochemicals during the Green Revolution, there are social and environmental problems. Many farmers continue to employ modern inputs even if the water temples have regained control. In addition, pressures from tourism and development are depleting agricultural land and water supplies, and young Balinese are becoming less interested in farming and more drawn to tourist-related occupations. The goal of preserving subak is being pursued despite these obstacles. Certain farmers are advocating for organic farming and heritage rice types, such as I Made Chakra Widia. A sustainable future for subak may also be provided by a recent program to lower methane emissions and raise rice yields, which may inspire younger people to take up farming. Nevertheless, the delicate equilibrium between customs and contemporary demands persists.
Coal mining has led to a 35% loss of native land cover in India’s central coal belt
A recent study shows how coal mining in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh over a three-decade period significantly degraded the terrain, harming agricultural land, water bodies, and forest cover. Researchers from multiple institutes conducted the study, which shows that coal mining has decreased agricultural land and water bodies as well as the amount of forest cover, which has declined by 7.32%–17.61%. The lack of comprehensive legal and quantitative frameworks in present rules, even though they require land reclamation post-mine closure, complicates restoration efforts. With India aiming to phase out coal by 2070, the study, which was published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, highlights the difficulties of rehabilitating mined-out terrain. The results show that while plantations have covered a tiny portion of lost forest land, reclamation efforts, such as planting native species, have been insufficient. Additionally, the study created a Land Degradation Vulnerability Index, which illustrates how mining makes land more vulnerable to climatic changes and erosion. The adoption of native species that maintain regional biodiversity is encouraged by experts, who stress the need for improved reclamation planning and monitoring. Enhancing reclamation techniques is crucial to reducing the environmental effect of coal mining as India makes the transition to a just energy system.
References
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/08/1153726
