Livelihood Vulnerability of Char Land Communities to Climate Change and Natural Hazards in Bangladesh: An Application of Livelihood Vulnerability Index

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the world. In general, Charland (Riverine Island) communities are frequently affected by floods, riverbank erosion, and other climatic hazards, which cause many to lose their sources of livelihoods and properties and making them more vulnerable. Using survey data of 262 rural households, this study investigates the extent of livelihood vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards of the Charland communities by applying the climate change vulnerability index (CVI) (i.e. UN-IPCC vulnerability framework) and the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) to develop context-specific interventions for building climate and livelihood resilience. The two approaches of vulnerability assessment were modified to incorporate local contexts and indigenous knowledge into 41 sub-components. The result shows that LVI and CVI values are different between Charland communities. The LVI index shows that households in Char Jotindro-Narayan (0.148) are more vulnerable than Char Kulaghat (0.139). The CVI values for Char Jotindro-Narayan (0.633) are slightly lower than for Char Kulaghat (0.639). The major vulnerability factors were identified as the social networks, food self-sufficiency, natural disasters, and climatic variability. The study also indicates that flood, riverbank erosion, unemployment, and access to communication, market, and basic service opportunities are the major biophysical and socioeconomic factors determining livelihood vulnerability. The context-specific sustainable policies and development initiatives are required to improve the adaptive capacity of Charland communities across Bangladesh and thereby building their climate and livelihood resilience.

Seabird-Derived Nutrients Supply Modulates the Trophic Strategies of Mixotrophic Corals

The ability of corals to modulate their nutrition strategy in response to variable nutrient supply remains poorly understood, limiting our understanding of energy flow in coral reef ecosystems and thus our comprehension of their resilience to global changes. We used a naturally occurring nutrient gradient along the reef flat of two seabird-inhabited islets in the SW Pacific to characterize spatiotemporal fluctuations in coastal nutrient availability, and how it modulates the trophic response of the mixotrophic coral Pocillopora damicornis. The clear gradients in dissolved [NOx] and δ15N values of macroalgae and both P. damicornis tissues and symbionts observed along the reef flat during the dry and the rainy season revealed that seabird-derived-N is supplied year-round to the reef flat. Yet, nitrogen isotope values of macroalgae show that the seabirds’ effect on coral reefs varies with sites and seasons. Metrics derived from the SIBER framework revealed that coral nutrition seasonally favored autotrophy when exposed to higher seabird guano concentrations and at inshore stations, while heterotrophy dominated in corals less exposed to seabird-derived nutrient supply. P. Damicornis is therefore able to cope with large changes in nitrogen supply induced by seabird island communities by switching between autotrophy and heterotrophy. These results shed light on the flexibility of resource sharing within the coral-algae symbiosis and highlight the importance of seabird populations to the functioning of coral reef ecosystems.

Introductory survey of the South Estonian language islands

The South Estonian language islands – Leivu, Lutsi, Kraasna – are three historically South Estonian-speaking exclaves located not only beyond the borders of Estonia, but also geographically separated from the main body of South Estonian speakers for at least several centuries. Two of these communities – Leivu and Lutsi – were located in present-day Latvia. The third community – Kraasna – was located near the northernmost Lutsi communities – only about 35 kilometres distant across the present-day Latvian border in Russia. This article acts as an introduction to the studies in this volume by describing the history and current state of the communities at its focus. It gives an overview of the location of the language island communities, their origins, linguistic status, and self-identity as well as provides a survey of their research history dating from its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present. Kokkuvõte. Uldis Balodis, Karl Pajusalu: Sissejuhatav ülevaade lõunaeesti keelesaartest. Lõunaeesti keelesaared – Leivu, Lutsi, Kraasna – on kolm ajaloolist lõunaeestikeelset enklaavi, mis ei jää üksnes väljapoole Eesti piire, vaid mis on olnud Lõuna-Eesti põhialast eraldatud vähemalt mitu sajandit. Kaks nendest keelesaartest – Leivu ja Lutsi – asuvad tänapäeva Lätis. Kolmas keelesaar – Kraasna – paiknes teisel pool Läti piiri Venemaal, jäädes põhjapoolsest Lutsi asualast ainult u 35 kilomeetri kaugusele. Artikkel tutvustab sissejuhatavalt selle erinumbri artiklite teemasid, kirjeldades lõunaeesti keelesaarte ajalugu ja praegust olukorda. Esitatakse ülevaade keelesaarte asendist ja päritolust, keelelisest staatusest, kõnelejate identiteedist ning ka uurimisloost 19. sajandist tänaseni.

A Geospatial Approach to Energy Planning in Aid of Just Energy Transition in Small Island Communities in the Philippines

Providing electricity in off-grid island communities is a big challenge, exacerbated by the high cost of transporting fossil fuels and the non-viability of extending grid connections. Installing renewable energy systems in these areas is deemed a practical solution, especially supporting just energy transitions in these communities. However, the lack of information about resource availability and the most suitable locations hinders effective planning. This paper aims to determine the sufficiency of available renewable energy sources to meet the electricity demand of off-grid island communities. It is achieved through a three-phased approach: (1) an assessment stage; (2) geospatial analysis; and (3) technical potential estimation. The approach is applied in three island communities in Palawan, namely Araceli, Balabac, and Cuyo, where a diesel power plant currently provides electricity to its households and commercial/institutional establishments. The results indicate that the three islands can be powered by 3, 1.5, and 11 MW solar photovoltaic farms, respectively, which is sufficient to meet the projected demand until 2030. The approach can be helpful, especially for off-grid island communities, as they plan to provide universal electricity access using renewable energy sources.

The Concept of Oceanian Sovereignty in the Context of Deep Sea Mining in the Pacific Region

Based on an interdisciplinary experience addressing traditional dimensions in marine resource management in the Pacific, the socio-ecological interconnectivity between island communities, the ocean realm and the legal context concerning the management of seabed resources (Tilot, 2006, 2010; Tilot et al., 2018, 2021a,b; Mulalap et al., 2020; Willaert, 2020a,b, c; 2021; DOSI, 2021), this paper proposes to discuss the relevance and efficacy of the concept of “Oceanian Sovereignty” (Bambridge et al., 2021) in the context of Deep Sea Mining, from the different legal, environmental, anthropological, social, political, and economic science perspectives. The policies and practices developed in the Pacific in this context could well serve as a suitable model elsewhere to reconcile competing perspectives in addition to sustaining the Human Well-being and Sustainable Livelihoods (HWSL) and the health of the Global Ocean.

Policing and Preventing Gender Violence in the Global South

This special issue is the product of a workshop on innovations in policing and preventing gender violence in the Global South, hosted by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Centre for Justice 3-4 December 2019. The event was attended by scholars from Brazil, Pacific Island communities, Bangladesh, Argentina, and several Australian jurisdictions. Hence the articles in this special issue reflect the diverse nationalities present at the event. A central aim of the workshop realised in this special issue is the stimulation of innovation in understanding the policing and prevention of gender violence through novel international collaborations and cross-fertilization. It reverses the assumptions that underpin the epistemic injustice of the social sciences, that innovations generally flow only from the Global North to the Global South. This special issue shows that it can be the other way round.

Relocating Tokelau: Recreating Island Villages in the Urban/Suburban Settings of New Zealand

<p>Many Pacific Island communities face having to leave their homeland to other countries due to effects of climate change, extreme weather events, rising sea levels and the subsequent economic impacts. Tokelau, a country comprised of three small atolls in the South Pacific represents one of these effected communities. The extreme cultural shift from an incredibly isolated and densely populated environment where collective culture, elder governance and multigenerational living thrive, to New Zealand’s capitalist economy and individualistic family living has considerably challenged the traditional Tokelau way of living. The aim of the thesis is to develop a greater understanding of the role that architecture can play in facilitating; successful cultural relocation and preservation, and the strengthening of migrated community groups in foreign contexts. The thesis argues that the essence of a Tokelau village can be captured in the design of a Tokelau community centre in the suburban setting of New Zealand through; understanding and interpreting the culture and lifestyle of the Tokelau community in New Zealand through participatory design; designing hybrid Tokelau architecture which draws from traditional Tokelau construction, contemporary design and the built environment of New Zealand; embodying sociocultural Tokelau principles in design; and lastly, designing resilient community facilities for collective use that accommodate the cultural practices of the Tokelau community and the desires of all age and gender groups.</p>

Relocating Tokelau: Recreating Island Villages in the Urban/Suburban Settings of New Zealand

<p>Many Pacific Island communities face having to leave their homeland to other countries due to effects of climate change, extreme weather events, rising sea levels and the subsequent economic impacts. Tokelau, a country comprised of three small atolls in the South Pacific represents one of these effected communities. The extreme cultural shift from an incredibly isolated and densely populated environment where collective culture, elder governance and multigenerational living thrive, to New Zealand’s capitalist economy and individualistic family living has considerably challenged the traditional Tokelau way of living. The aim of the thesis is to develop a greater understanding of the role that architecture can play in facilitating; successful cultural relocation and preservation, and the strengthening of migrated community groups in foreign contexts. The thesis argues that the essence of a Tokelau village can be captured in the design of a Tokelau community centre in the suburban setting of New Zealand through; understanding and interpreting the culture and lifestyle of the Tokelau community in New Zealand through participatory design; designing hybrid Tokelau architecture which draws from traditional Tokelau construction, contemporary design and the built environment of New Zealand; embodying sociocultural Tokelau principles in design; and lastly, designing resilient community facilities for collective use that accommodate the cultural practices of the Tokelau community and the desires of all age and gender groups.</p>

Infrastructure Resilience in the Samoas: Policy Approaches

<p>‘Resilience’ is a term that is increasingly being used regarding community development issues. It is a particular issue on Pacific Islands where development issues exist, and the exposure of communities to natural hazards is apparent. Climate change is increasingly affecting Pacific Island communities. Many Pacific Island communities live on low-lying atolls, and communities on ‘high’ islands are generally located close to the coast. Both sets of communities are therefore highly exposed to storm and high seas events. Additionally, earthquake, tsunami and volcanic hazards exist. Infrastructure is a key aspect of resilience. Policies and technical issues regarding infrastructure resilience globally are the subject of a literature review. Research presented compares the policies taken to resilient infrastructure in (Western) Samoa against those taken in American Samoa. These two territories shared common cultural histories until the 19th century, both are ‘high’ islands and both face a similar range of natural hazards faced due to their relative close proximity in the Pacific Ocean. Analysis highlights where lessons can be learnt both globally and from the Samoas’ approaches to resilient infrastructure. The lessons learnt in this thesis include the value of taking a holistic approach to disaster risk reduction, involving the community in hazard identification and disaster risk reduction, and working on these issues in a timely manner. Additionally, it is seen that careful long-term planning of land use with natural hazards in mind, which is found to be an economically sound approach, is of value in disaster risk reduction.</p>