KOCHI: The first day of the month of December brought with it a new experience for the people of Kochi. The climate resembled that of a hill station. Fog and mist accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature blanketed the city sending people searching for the long forgotten blankets. The sudden change in the climate again points towards the undeniable fact that life and climate are linked together. According to experts, the climatic variations prove that Kochi is very vulnerable.
In a recent study conducted by Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Kochi is a city which expanded rapidly and thus heavily stressed its environmental perspectives. They warned that the situation will have “harmful effects” on the population as well as the coastal ecosystem. The adverse climate will have a visible impact on fishing, agriculture and other socio-economic activities.
‘Kochi coast will erode’
If the sudden variation in temperature is any indication of the climatic changes in store for the city, then there is no doubt that it will have to tackle some key factors to which it is vulnerable, warns a study titled ‘Asian Cities Adapt: Impacts of Climate Change in Target Cities in India and Local Adaptation Strategies’. Meanwhile, a study by the NIO scientists predicts that rising sea levels caused by global warming will submerge large swathes of coastal land in Kochi in another 100 years. The city has a coastal belt spanning over 47.5 kilometres. One of the major reason for this prediction is the increasing number of Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) violations across the state, especially in Kochi.
Need for Awareness
The public should be educated on how to deal with climate change impacts and protect themselves from its adverse consequences. Efforts should be made by the respective local bodies, considering the geographic specifications of each area. “The success of any climatic adaptation strategy lies in mobilising vulnerable social groups and other supporting factors to recognise the potential threats and partner in the implementation of adaptation measures. Local governments need to define who they should talk to, what these people need, and what is the best way of communicating with them. It is important to properly tailor climate change messages to different target groups to achieve better uptake,” said experts.
weather chart
On Thursday, 20 degree Celsius was the lowest temperature recorded in Kochi as against the historical average of 24 degree Celsius for December 1. According to accuweather.com, the average low temperature predicted for Saturday is 24 degree Celsius while the high temperature is 31 degree Celsius against a historic average of maximum of 32 degree c and a minimum of 24 degree Celsius
The direct and indirect impact of climate change include: