Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in India

This article presents the factors that help build the adaptive capacity of individuals to reduce vulnerability from natural threats. The findings are based on primary data on individuals engaged in various livelihood practices in the Digha-Sankarpur- Mandarmoni region along the eastern coastline of...

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Main Authors: Satabdi Datta, Joyashree Roy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Climate
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2022.1007780/full
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author Satabdi Datta
Joyashree Roy
author_facet Satabdi Datta
Joyashree Roy
author_sort Satabdi Datta
collection DOAJ
description This article presents the factors that help build the adaptive capacity of individuals to reduce vulnerability from natural threats. The findings are based on primary data on individuals engaged in various livelihood practices in the Digha-Sankarpur- Mandarmoni region along the eastern coastline of the Bay of Bengal in India. Coastal communities have their individual perceptions about their vulnerability to natural threats and associated risks to various assets. Based on perception survey responses, “adaptive capacity” is measured and the determining factors are analyzed with an aim to provide policy guidelines for strengthening the adaptive capacity of people dependent on coastal ecosystem-based livelihoods. Findings show that income security for individuals in coastal systems can be achieved through a livelihood diversification strategy. The scope for individuals to build personal savings, have access to financial institutions, and engage in collaborative actions with immediate neighbors in the community help to prevent multiple losses at the individual level aids in their adaptive capacity. Government actions to provide institutional and governance support and incentives to promote livelihood diversification and personal savings would enhance adaptive capacity through institutional actions. Public investment in public goods and services, including protection and monitoring of natural coastal ecosystems, infrastructure development, technological intervention, providing access to information, and community empowerment, have important roles to play in enhancing adaptive capacity.
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spelling doaj.art-cbf45d596efa4b2abbcfafed57c52c502022-12-22T04:41:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Climate2624-95532022-12-01410.3389/fclim.2022.10077801007780Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in IndiaSatabdi Datta0Joyashree Roy1South and South East Asia Multidisciplinary Research Network on Transforming Societies of Global South, School of Environment, Resource and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Khlong Nueng, ThailandSouth and South East Asia Multidisciplinary Research Network on Transforming Societies of Global South, School of Environment, Resource and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Khlong Luang, Thailand and Global Change Programme, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, IndiaThis article presents the factors that help build the adaptive capacity of individuals to reduce vulnerability from natural threats. The findings are based on primary data on individuals engaged in various livelihood practices in the Digha-Sankarpur- Mandarmoni region along the eastern coastline of the Bay of Bengal in India. Coastal communities have their individual perceptions about their vulnerability to natural threats and associated risks to various assets. Based on perception survey responses, “adaptive capacity” is measured and the determining factors are analyzed with an aim to provide policy guidelines for strengthening the adaptive capacity of people dependent on coastal ecosystem-based livelihoods. Findings show that income security for individuals in coastal systems can be achieved through a livelihood diversification strategy. The scope for individuals to build personal savings, have access to financial institutions, and engage in collaborative actions with immediate neighbors in the community help to prevent multiple losses at the individual level aids in their adaptive capacity. Government actions to provide institutional and governance support and incentives to promote livelihood diversification and personal savings would enhance adaptive capacity through institutional actions. Public investment in public goods and services, including protection and monitoring of natural coastal ecosystems, infrastructure development, technological intervention, providing access to information, and community empowerment, have important roles to play in enhancing adaptive capacity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2022.1007780/fulladaptive capacityvulnerable coastal populationcoastal ecosystem-based livelihood practicesincome securityBay of Bengal
spellingShingle Satabdi Datta
Joyashree Roy
Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in India
Frontiers in Climate
adaptive capacity
vulnerable coastal population
coastal ecosystem-based livelihood practices
income security
Bay of Bengal
title Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in India
title_full Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in India
title_fullStr Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in India
title_full_unstemmed Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in India
title_short Exploring adaptive capacity: Observations from the vulnerable human-coastal environmental system of the Bay of Bengal in India
title_sort exploring adaptive capacity observations from the vulnerable human coastal environmental system of the bay of bengal in india
topic adaptive capacity
vulnerable coastal population
coastal ecosystem-based livelihood practices
income security
Bay of Bengal
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2022.1007780/full
work_keys_str_mv AT satabdidatta exploringadaptivecapacityobservationsfromthevulnerablehumancoastalenvironmentalsystemofthebayofbengalinindia
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