Sea Level Rise and the Test of Democratic Values

Context

• The 21st century is facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of climate change and one of its most visible manifestations is the continuous rise in sea level. As a result, coastal communities across the world are facing ecological disruptions and socio-political upheaval.
• India, with its vast coastline, is no exception. This phenomenon not only endangers lives and livelihoods but also poses fundamental challenges to democratic values ​​of inclusiveness, justice and equity.

Sea Level Rise: A Slow-Moving Disaster

• According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global sea levels have risen by about 20 cm since 1900 and the rate has accelerated in recent decades.
• In India, cities like Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai are becoming increasingly vulnerable to coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and flooding.
• Submergence of low-lying areas is causing displacement of millions of people.

The human cost of environmental change

• Rising sea levels disrupt the lives of millions of people. Coastal and island communities are often forced to migrate inland without formal resettlement policies.
  • For example, the Sundarbans is already experiencing climate-induced displacement.
• The loss of key livelihoods such as fishing and agriculture has led to a rise in economic inequality and a steady increase in the number of climate refugees.
  • Climate refugees are a group that has not yet been recognised under international law.
• These changes particularly affect marginalised groups (such as tribal groups, women and the poor) who have the least capacity to adapt.
• It also leads to inter-state migration and resource conflicts, putting pressure on urban infrastructure and social cohesion.

Test of democratic values

• Rising sea levels pose a serious challenge to democratic institutions.
• Democracies are based on the principles of participation, justice and rights. In this context, it is important to consider:
  • Do climate policies include vulnerable communities?
  • Is there equitable access to relief, rehabilitation and adaptation resources?
  • Are the opinions of affected communities considered in decision-making?
• Environmental governance remains top-down, technocratic and often ignores grassroots concerns.
• Displacement in the name of coastal development projects or eco-tourism further alienates vulnerable communities.
• Further, climate inaction or weak implementation of related policies reflects the failure of accountability mechanisms of democratic systems.

Suggestions

• To meet this challenge, India must prioritise mainstreaming climate justice in national and local policies. This includes:
• Participatory planning involving local communities in climate adaptation
  • Implementing a comprehensive climate refugee policy to protect displaced populations
  • Strengthening the Disaster Management Act to include slow-onset climate disasters
  • Enhancing urban resilience through smart infrastructure and inclusive housing policies
  • Investing in early warning systems, mangrove conservation and nature-based solutions
• At the international level, India should take the lead in climate negotiations in the interest of the global South, with an emphasis on loss and damage financing, technology transfer and climate equity.