ASEAN’S COASTAL SETTLEMENTS AT RISK
Researchers are urging countries to take action to address flooding caused by unavoidable sea level rise.
In particular, Southeast Asia is at serious risk of losing infrastructure and low-lying coastal settlements.
“People think with climate change and sea level rise that they have plenty of time,” said Tjitte Nauta, regional manager for Asia and Oceania at Dutch applied knowledge institute Deltares.
“But this is the time to study it and to make the right decision. I would encourage ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to move towards, indeed, more awareness, but also collaboration within the region. They can learn from each other, we can also learn from them.”
Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia are hotspots prone to flooding and coastal erosion.
“The whole city of Bangkok is extremely vulnerable,” said Nauta. “If 2m of relative sea level rise, some 28 per cent of the Thai population and 52 per cent of the GDP (gross domestic product) will be affected.
“So for Thailand, it should be very obvious to work on a long-term plan whether they make decisions of protecting the city or moving the city or whatever, but a study should already be there.”
In Indonesia, sea level rise has a profound negative impact on large swathes of low-lying peatland used for oil palm production.
Similarly in Vietnam, where agricultural output is important in the Mekong and Red River Delta, a 2m sea level rise will have a devastating effect on its people.
Malaysia’s coastal areas will not be spared either, according to satellite data.
Recently, Deltares set up an online platform and invited young diplomats from ASEAN to share their views on tackling climate issues.
“It’s very important to look at what the countries need, instead of us telling them you should do what we think you need to do,” said Josien Grashof, adviser on resilience and planning at Deltares.
“So by getting their ownership of this process, we can really work towards their highest priorities.”
Deltares highlighted problems plaguing some Southeast Asian countries, including the lack of funding and credible data for early warning systems, and differences in national priorities.
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