Examining the climate vulnerabilities and risks prevalent in the Bay of Bengal region, this paper looks at human-induced challenges like marine pollution and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and evaluates the reasons why several of the collective promises in the region remain unfulfilled.
Author
Avinash Godbole, Associate Professor, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
There are three challenges specific to the Bay of Bengal region in the context of climate change. Firstly, this is a climate-sensitive region that sits on the brink of several climate and human-induced environmental changes and challenges.
Secondly, it is still a relatively understudied geographic area from the perspective of climate risks. Third, the process of securitisation of climate change and long-term risks to resources in this region has not taken place fully as traditional security challenges, geopolitics, and great power competition have become primary concerns.
This paper looks at the climate vulnerabilities and risks prevalent in this region. It also looks at human-induced challenges like marine pollution and IUU fishing. It then evaluates the reasons why several of the collective promises in the region remain unfulfilled. It is followed by a brief discussion on the security implications of climate change which is followed by a conclusion.
Published in: Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs
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