Liberia
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Context: In Liberia group of senators have submitted a proposal to the government to relocate it's capital city Monrovia.
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Recent Development
- A group of senators in Liberia, situated along the coast of western Africa, has proposed to relocate the country’s capital city Monrovia due to recurring flash floods.
Reason behind this proposal
- Rising sea levels and Coastal erosion : In the West Point slum of Monrovia alone, sea level rise and coastal erosion displaced more than 6,500 people, and destroyed 800 houses between 2013 and 2018.
- World Bank Report: By 2030, the Greater Monrovia District is expected to witness a sea level rise of 16 cm. This would put nearly 675,000 people and 9,500 hectares of land at risk.
- Projections show that the frequency of intense rainfall will spike in the country, which will contribute to flooding.
Indonesia changing its capital
On January 18, 2022, Indonesia passed a bill to move its capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan.
The reason behind this is Jakarta is sinking.
The northern part of Jakarta that meets the Java sea has been sinking 25 centimetres a year and it is affecting the 10 million people living in the city.
Rising Sea Level
- As temperatures across the world continue to soar, more and more glaciers and ice sheets are melting and adding water to the ocean.
- Global warming is also making the ocean warmer, which is leading to something called thermal expansion ,when water becomes warmer, it expands in volume. This is contributing to sea level rise as well.
Instances of adaption and mitigation of sea level rise.
- In New Zealand, climate adaptation policies are being designed to ensure public housing is not built near areas prone to climate hazards.
- Sea walls, surge barriers and other coastal defences are being built and strengthened in several countries including Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom.
- South Korea and the islands of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean are experimenting with floating homes.
- China, India and other nations are finding ways to absorb and store storm water for reuse.
- More drastic action is taking place in Fiji, where government officials are making plans to relocate whole villages because of rising sea levels - 42 villages have been recommended for relocation in the next five to 10 years, while six have already been moved to safer ground.
Sources:
TheHindu.
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the reasons for rising sea levels with some data showing the rise and implications of rising sea levels on coastal regions of India. 150 words |