The IPCC’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate What’s in it for South Asia?

The document outlines the impacts of human-induced climate change on the oceans and cryosphere, specifically focusing on the vulnerabilities of South Asia. It details the degradation of coral reefs, rising sea levels affecting coastal megacities like Mumbai, and the melting of glaciers in high mountain Asia. The report emphasizes that while some changes are inevitable, urgent greenhouse gas mitigation and early investment in adaptation—such as nature-based 'blue carbon' solutions and integrated governance—can significantly reduce future risks and costs.

• Human-driven climate change is altering ocean chemistry and temperature, with the oceans absorbing over 90% of the climate system's excess heat and 20% to 30% of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions since the 1980s, leading to increased acidification.
• Ocean warming and acidification are destroying coral reefs and other calcium-based species; even at 1.5°C of global warming, the diversity and composition of shallow coral reefs will change, impacting food, tourism, and coastal protection.
• Global sea levels are currently rising at 3.6 mm per year, which is twice the rate of the 20th century. By 2100, sea levels could rise by 29-59 cm if emissions are sharply reduced, or 61-110 cm if emissions continue to increase at current rates.
• South Asian coastal areas face a 'coastal squeeze' where built environments and rising seas trap ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses. Low-lying coastal megacities, such as Mumbai, are at serious risk.
• In high mountain Asia, glacier retreat and permafrost degradation are altering river runoff, which impacts hydropower and agriculture. These changes increase the risk of landslides and glacial lake outburst floods.
• Climate-driven environmental changes in high mountain regions are contributing to human displacement. In Nepal, some villages have permanently resettled after springs dried up and snowfall decreased, affecting agriculture and pastoralism.
• Women in Pakistan are disproportionately affected by climate hazards due to limited access to resources, information, and land rights, and are more prone to sexual offences in the Indus area during disasters.
• Investing in disaster risk reduction is more cost-effective than recovery; a global estimate suggests every dollar invested saves US$2-US$4 in recovery costs.
• Coastal 'blue carbon' ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass meadows, can mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and provide adaptation benefits like storm protection, though their effectiveness is limited if global warming is too high.
• Effective adaptation requires transformative governance that integrates disaster risk management with climate change adaptation and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2019). The IPCC’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate What’s in it for South Asia? https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/IPCC-Oceans_South-Asia_WEB_0.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. The IPCC’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate What’s in it for South Asia? 2019. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/IPCC-Oceans_South-Asia_WEB_0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=The IPCC’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate What’s in it for South Asia? |date=2019 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/IPCC-Oceans_South-Asia_WEB_0.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2019ipccs, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{The IPCC’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate What’s in it for South Asia?}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2019}, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/IPCC-Oceans_South-Asia_WEB_0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }