The role of adaptation in the vulnerable Coastal India

NCAER hosted an online lecture titled “The role of adaptation in vulnerable Coastal India” presented by Dr. Sweta Sen (Assistant Professor at MSE) and discussed by Dr. Saudamini Das (Full Professor at IEG), as part of its Virtual Dialogue Room Webinar Series moderated by Dr. Isha Dayal and chaired by Dr. Souryabrata Mohapatra on Friday, 26 July 2024, at 4:00 pm IST.

 Abstract:

The changing climate has heightened the intensity of cyclonic disturbances and increased vulnerability. Projections indicate at least one severe cyclonic storm will occur over the Bay of Bengal each year until 2050. Our findings reveal that the vulnerable population grows by more than 15% with each tropical cyclone. Particularly, impoverished and vulnerable communities, such as fishermen, require more focused attention and incentives. A critical question arises: Why can the vulnerable population not adequately prepare? We examine various strategies adopted by coastal households, specifically coping and adaptation mechanisms. Using Cumulative Prospect Theory, we provide evidence of loss aversion behaviour, which contributes to a vulnerability trap. Individual behaviour significantly influences household adaptation strategies. Therefore, promoting and incentivising ‘Lifestyle for Change,’ which supports behavioural change for a sustainable lifestyle, is essential for mitigating climate change in coastal India.

For information, see: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103834

Speaker quotes

•  “There is a need to change the adaptive behaviour of the households in Coastal India to transform them into a sustainable livelihood. Incentivising vulnerable communities, especially fishers, to adapt strategies, especially if any cyclonic disaster occurs at a micro-level, should be prioritised.”—says Dr. Sweta Sen
• “Ex-ante cyclone preparedness should include livelihood protection along with lives and properties. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana can be extended to loss of livelihood assets, including fishery.”—says Dr. Saudamini Das

Short bios:

¹ Dr. Sen is an Assistant Professor at the Madras School of Economics (India), specialising in the economics of coastal disasters, environmental and ecological economics, development and behavioural economics. She has a keen interest in remote-sensing satellite data and GIS, which is evident in several of her research outputs. Her work has been published in esteemed journals such as Empirical Economics (ABDC A), International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (ABDC A), Journal of Social and Economic Development, World Development Perspectives, and GeoJournal (×2). Dr. Sen has received very positive feedback from peers by presenting her research findings at renowned academic events, including those organised by the American Geophysical Union. In addition to her research, she presently teaches fundamental and advanced Microeconomics and a course on Sustainable Development at the postgraduate level. Following her PhD, Dr. Sen worked as a Sr. Researcher at the Institute of Economic Growth—IEG on a G-20 project. She has been involved in numerous projects focusing on financial inclusion, food insecurity, and the impact of the MNREGA scheme.

² Dr. Das is a full professor in the Indian Economic Services (IES) Section of the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) and was the Institute’s NABARD Chair Professor from 2016-21. She is a fellow of the South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE, Kathmandu) as well as the Indian Society for Ecological Economics (INSEE) and has worked as a Mälar Scholar (2011-12) at the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Stockholm). She is a Senior Research Fellow of the Centre for Research on the Economics of Climate, Food, Energy, and Environment (CECFEE) at the Indian Statistical Institute (Delhi) and the global network Environment for Development (EfD) at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden). Her research areas are Climate change adaptation, assessment of loss and damage to livelihood due to climate change, valuation of ecosystem services, coastal vulnerability analysis, mangroves, and evaluation of public policy. She is presently an Editor for the Elsevier journal Ecological Economics and Cambridge University Press Journal Cambridge Prism: Coastal Futures.