{"id":14982,"date":"2022-12-22T11:58:50","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T11:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/india\/?p=14982"},"modified":"2025-06-23T14:38:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T14:38:19","slug":"climate-adaptation-lets-go-glocal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/india\/en\/story\/14982\/climate-adaptation-lets-go-glocal\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate adaptation: Let\u2019s go glocal!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In May 2021, as India grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic that was assuming unmanageable proportions during the second wave, another disaster was taking form in the Arabian Sea. Cyclone Tauktae hit India\u2019s western coast, and became the fifth strongest<\/a> storm to hit the Arabian Sea since 1998. States from Gujarat to Kerala and Lakshwadweep were deeply impacted by the ravaging storm, claiming 178 lives and $2.12bn<\/a> in damages. The quaint coastal village of Chellanam was one of the sites of this devastation, with hundreds of inundated homes and displaced villagers. Despite the warning and preparations which involved stacking of sandbags, and artificial sea-walls, Tauktae inflicted massive damages on the community that they are yet to recover from. <\/p>\n\n

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According to a recent report<\/a>, India endured extreme weather events on 88 percent of the days in the first nine months of 2022. The global trend of frequent and increasingly intense extreme weather disasters, from heatwaves in Europe to devastating floods in South Asian countries, are holding up the mirror of the human cost of the climate crisis. In fact, according to a recent research article<\/a>, in the 19 year period between 2001 and 2019, the frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea has increased by 52 percent and the intensity has jumped 20 to 40 percent. For countries in the global south, particularly vulnerable to such disasters and their impacts, it is high time we acknowledge the urgent need for community-led climate adaptation measures. <\/p>\n\n

On November 8, 2022, the fishing community in Chellanam, along with Greenpeace India, sent out this message of climate justice to world leaders participating in COP27 at Egypt. We unfurled a banner on the open waters of the Chellanam Harbour, which read \u201cUNITED FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE\u201d. Holding up the 60 Ft banner, climate-impacted fisherfolk highlighted the devastating impact climate change was having on their lives, and their right to just adaptation measures. <\/p>\n\n

The public action was part of a larger series of events which witnessed a Roundtable Conference among critical stakeholders from climate-impacted communities as well as a Youth Storytelling Workshop for community members to document and retell climate stories from their own lens. In the interactions with Chellanam\u2019s residents during these events, their resilience against climatic impacts was felt to be truly inspiring by all. In fact, their persistence in the face of climate change\u2014and numerous demonstrations\u2014eventually earned them the attention of the High Court of Kerala and the state government for the implementation of effective coastal conservation measures.<\/p>\n\n

While global leaders in summits such as the Conference of Parties debate a just and equitable climate response through climate adaptation pathways and loss and damage funds, it is critical to bring communities into the core of our climate response plans. Since climate change manifests itself in myriad ways<\/a> within local ecosystems, it only follows that a just climate response must be rooted in decentralised pathways that enable grassroots communities to respond to their needs effectively. Further, community action carries incredible potential for social innovation and adaptation measures that are indigenous and feasible.<\/p>\n\n

The local as the playing field<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Community-based climate action challenges the common perception of looking at impacted communities as vulnerable and dependent. Instead, it foregrounds the agency, deep knowledge and active participation of these communities in mitigating and adapting to climate disasters. A paper<\/a> on the subject highlights how the energy and creativity of disaster-affected communities\u2014as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods\u2014is far more effective and affordable than when done by external agencies. <\/p>\n\n

Communities across India\u2014from Kerala to the deserts of Kutch in Gujarat\u2014have adopted measures that build their resilience in the face of climate adversities. While some communities practise traditional climate-resilient architecture, indigenous agriculture is another area where grassroots initiatives have proven the sustainability of indigenous knowledge. The Annapurna Seed Library<\/a> in Assam is one such initiative, for instance, that harbours more than 400 varieties of native seeds in an effort to conserve and encourage climate-resilient, local seed varieties. The quaint island of Kadamakkudy in Ernakulam, Kerala, provides another example of community resilience to climate change. Here, a unique endemic salt-tolerant variety of rice called \u2018pokkali rice\u2019 is being revived and celebrated by the villagers due to its high resilience to climatic impacts.<\/p>\n\n

While highlighting the importance of community action, it is essential to stress that a gendered approach to climate justice needs to become the norm too. Climate change disproportionately impacts women<\/a> in comparison to men because women are more directly dependent on natural resources but with lower ownership or access. Even though the impetus of climate action very often falls on women, systemic negligence and a lack of representation continue to stand in the way of a gender-just climate response.<\/p>\n\n

Therefore, devising climate adaptation measures that empower vulnerable citizens\u2014such as women, children, differently-abled and aged\u2014will make our society inclusive, climate resilient and just. When grassroots communities are empowered and heard, they carry the knowledge and skills to tackle climate change. Climate adaptation can be achieved through the right combination of a bottom-up approach of community action and a top-down approach of policies that are community-centric.<\/p>\n\n

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Amruta S. N.
Climate And Energy Campaigner
Greenpeace India<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n