Small- scale fishing communities and climate change: A human rights perspective

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1 Small- scale fishing communities and climate change: A human rights perspective Chandrika Sharma International Collective in Support of Fishworkers Oceans and Climate Change - The scientific basis for meeting future challenges for coastal development and poverty reduction 12 October 2010 Stockholm, Sweden

2 Climate change and fisheries: anticipated impacts Sea- level rise, subsidence, erosion, flooding Rise in sea temperature, changes in upwellings, change in species distribution, range and productivity Ocean acidification, coral bleaching Loss of wetlands/ stress on mangroves Exposure to extreme weather events cyclones, typhoons Water stress, drying of rivers and lakes Fishing communities on the frontline victims not the cause

3 Fishing communities and climate change Fishing communities known to be disadvantaged Insecure access to land and fishery resources Exploitation by those who control inputs and trade of fishery products Poor access to basic services Competition from industrial fleets Pollution of inshore waters, environmental degradation Weak organizations, marginalized in decisionmaking Women disadvantaged in specific ways

4 Fishing communities and climate change Existing vulnerabilities likely to be exacerbated by the effects of climate change Existing vulnerabilities likely to affect ability for resilience and adaptation

5 Climate change and human rights The UN Human Rights Council addressed the connection between climate change and human rights in 2009 Policies adopted for dealing with climate change should be coherent with overall human rights objectives should protect, promote and fulfill rights to life and health, food and water, housing and property, a healthy environment, culture Actions taken to minimize and adapt to the effects of climate change must not infringe upon human rights.

6 Climate change policies and fishing communities Policies for adaptation to climate change should respond to existing vulnerabilities that exacerbate the impact of climate change, while enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity Bangkok Statement from Civil Society and Shared Gender Agenda provide clear pointers on issues that need to be addressed

7 Climate change policies and fishing communities Essential elements: Adaptation strategies developed in participatory ways, drawing on traditional and local knowledge and communities understanding of climate change Community- based disaster planning, early warning systems, safety at sea Decentralized co- management of resources, with greater ability and flexibility to respond to changes

8 Climate change policies and fishing communities Improvement of basic services also to improve ability to enhance and diversify livelihoods Access to information Accountability mechanisms in implementation of measures and policies Funds and other resources for adaptation and resources management available to communities

9 Climate change policies and fishing communities Effort should be to improve socioeconomic wellbeing, secure roles in decisionmaking, improve resource management, thereby enhancing adaptive capacity

10 Climate change policies and fishing communities Policies for adaptation and mitigation should not violate human rights of already disadvantaged communities Wind farms/ alternative energy/ nuclear energy MPAs as Blue Carbon Sinks relocation of populations from coastal/ low- lying areas Geoengineering solutions Mangrove conservation under REDD funding construction of coastal defences

11 Thank you Thank you Promoting sustainable SSF should be recognized as a good strategy to deal with climate change!