Calling: Earth #022 - Arsum Pathak, Environmental Scientist

In this seventh lightning interview, Arsum Pathak, a doctoral candidate in the USF School of Geosciences, discusses her research into climate change impacts on the management of small island developing states. More about Arsum can be found here: https://works.bepress.com/arsum-pathak/ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arsum_Patha

Climate Change and Sustainable Development within the Tourism Sector of Small Island Developing States: A Case Study for the Bahamas

The research literature suggests Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are vulnerable to climate change. Tourism in SIDS is sensitive to climate variations and dependence of the sector on natural resources (beaches, coral reefs) adds to their vulnerability. The purpose of this study is to assess climate impacts and adaptation within the tourism sector of a SIDS – The Bahamas that relies on tourism and faces climate vulnerabilities, as do other SIDS. Given the importance of tourism to their sustainable development by supporting economic growth and employment, this study identifies timely risks and adaptation planning for a tourism-based SIDS economy in the face of climate change. Three manuscripts in this dissertation examine impacts of climate change on tourism, assess businesses’ adaptive capacity, and evaluate climate adaptation in current plans and policies regarding tourism with a goal of evaluating the vulnerability and resilience of tourism-dependent SIDS. A social-ecological systems (SES) approach is crucial for coastal tourism where ecosystems are tied to socio-economic development, thereby, requiring an integrated approach. This mixed-method research, suited for SES, utilizes quantitative and qualitative methods such as geospatial mapping, statistical analysis, surveys, interviews, and policy analysis. Findings estimated many tourism properties lie in the storm-surge zone and their extent increases with 1m SLR causing potential losses in occupancy and revenue for the Bahamas. Considering damages from Hurricanes Matthew, Dorian, this fits within climate change literature that the damage potential of such hurricanes will be more consequential in the future. Survey findings revealed a disconnect between perceived impacts on their businesses, and existing adaptation measures limited to hurricanes and lacking priority for long-term climatic changes. Finally, a look into current adaptation planning through interviews revealed that there are currently no explicit policies for tourism and climate change in the Bahamas. While key policy actors demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and its impacts, policy implementation is hindered due to funding and human capacity. Through focusing on country-level analysis in SIDS, an underrepresented group treated homogeneously in literature, the study exemplifies its contribution to research in SIDS geographies. The subfield of environmental policy further benefits from adaptation planning to create a concerted response. Findings are vital for developing adaptation actions and policies for sensitive tourism-dependent economies

Measurement of Environmental Pollution: Types and Techniques

Since the onset of industrial revolution is up till the recent surge in technological processes, environmental pollution has grown at an alarming rate causing distress to living beings and irreplaceable damage to the earth. With the recognition of the severity of this environmental damage and increase in interest of using technological advancement, a number of successful pollution control strategies have emerged over the years. However, the measurement and quantification of environmental pollution is the most pragmatic first step for identifying various management and mitigation strategies to control environmental pollution. This chapter aims to study a range of proven measurement techniques for quantitatively determining the concentration of various environmental pollutants in the atmosphere. This is particularly important in the formulation of cost-effective control measures and strategies for environmental pollution. Furthermore, to elucidate the concept of pollution measurement, certain parameters which are considered of high importance for environmental monitoring and reflect the quality of a healthy (or unhealthy) environment, especially with respect to soil, water and air, are also discussed in the initial parts of the chapter

Key Considerations for the Use of Nature-Based Solutions in Climate Services and Adaptation

Nature-based solutions (NbS) involve the reliance on natural or nature-based systems to enhance community resilience through delivering both climate adaptation and mitigation outcomes. While NbS do not necessarily represent new “technology” or methods, the intentional incorporation of these approaches into climate adaptation and mitigation efforts is often considered novel, particularly within the climate services sector where interventions have historically prioritized structural infrastructure approaches. NbS can offer an effective replacement for or complement to such traditional infrastructure approaches. Additionally, natural and nature-based systems can respond to climate change in a manner that engineered solutions often cannot, providing long-term holistic adaptation and mitigation success with additional benefits to ecosystem services such as improved air and water quality, carbon sequestration, outdoor recreation, and biodiversity protection. The incorporation of NbS as a core component of climate services increases the likelihood of adoption and effective implementation, ensuring greater long-term effectiveness for both communities and the natural systems on which they depend. This article supports the adoption and effective implementation of NbS by climate service providers through presenting a set of seven “key considerations” for their use in community-based adaptation. These key considerations are based on a review of work in the field to date, both within the United States and globally. Although these key considerations were developed in support of US adaptation planning applications (specifically, the US Climate Resilience Toolkit), they have global relevance

Key Considerations for the Use of Nature-Based Solutions in Climate Services and Adaptation

Nature-based solutions (NbS) involve the reliance on natural or nature-based systems to enhance community resilience through delivering both climate adaptation and mitigation outcomes. While NbS do not necessarily represent new “technology” or methods, the intentional incorporation of these approaches into climate adaptation and mitigation efforts is often considered novel, particularly within the climate services sector where interventions have historically prioritized structural infrastructure approaches. NbS can offer an effective replacement for or complement to such traditional infrastructure approaches. Additionally, natural and nature-based systems can respond to climate change in a manner that engineered solutions often cannot, providing long-term holistic adaptation and mitigation success with additional benefits to ecosystem services such as improved air and water quality, carbon sequestration, outdoor recreation, and biodiversity protection. The incorporation of NbS as a core component of climate services increases the likelihood of adoption and effective implementation, ensuring greater long-term effectiveness for both communities and the natural systems on which they depend. This article supports the adoption and effective implementation of NbS by climate service providers through presenting a set of seven “key considerations” for their use in community-based adaptation. These key considerations are based on a review of work in the field to date, both within the United States and globally. Although these key considerations were developed in support of US adaptation planning applications (specifically, the US Climate Resilience Toolkit), they have global relevance