Pollution and climate change are two serious challenges which Sri Lanka is facing and will continue to battle for decades to come. While the State and communities often react to incidents of pollution and climate change-related disasters, there is a visible lack of a coherent long-term strategy to address both issues. 

While climate change is a global – juggernaut which Sri Lanka can do little to stop, pollution both at home, sea and in the air is something the island can actively address. The climate change issue is also one Sri Lanka needs to build awareness on, build resilience to weather. Climate change can have serious consequences on our fragile marine and coastal ecosystems and communities and can impact our flora and fauna. The impact from climate change has already been felt at home and at the dinner table, with Sri Lanka suffering a food security crisis in the recent past, which was partly helped by climate change and related shifts in weather patterns.

A recent report about climate change and its impact on Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystem, funded by the UK Government points to evidence of how Sri Lanka’s coastal region and seas are impacted. According to the report published in February this year, it points to bleaching of coral reefs, the result of invasive species, and impact on fish breeding grounds and other marine life. The cost to the ecosystem, society and economy from climate change is an area where Sri Lanka is yet to build awareness on. “Key findings of risks to marine and coastal species and habitats include decreasing plankton productivity levels; threats to breeding sea turtle populations; changes to fish assemblages; increasing threat of severe bleaching to coral reefs; changes in extent and species composition of mangroves and seagrass meadows; changes to sandy shorelines; and increasing risk of invasion by marine non-native species. Risks to societal and economic sectors include declining fisheries; damage and disruption to critical coastal infrastructure and services; threats to tourism notably eco-tourism; impact on seagrass habitats and fishery catch potentials; and loss of natural protective coastal habitats,” the report stated, painting the serious challenge the island is facing.

The impact on the coastal belt and the oceans should be taken seriously by the Government and the public. Our large exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of more than 517,000 square kilometres, supplies over 80% of the nation’s fish catch and supports the livelihoods of many thousands of Sri Lankans who are directly or indirectly employed or benefit from maritime industries. It goes without saying that while the island has many tourist attractions, the coastal region underpins a major share of the industry. “Sri Lanka’s coastal zone contributes approximately 40% to the national GDP (in 2021). Marine and coastal fisheries contribute 80% of the total fish catch and provide 2.4 million direct and indirect jobs, as well underpinning as 70% of the animal protein intake for the populace. Fisheries contribute approximately 1.2% to Sri Lanka’s GDP (Annual Report 2019, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2019),” the report highlights. 

This year, World Environment Day is operating under the global theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. Sri Lanka is one of the biggest polluters of the ocean in the Indian Ocean, and much of the waste that ends up polluting the oceans from Sri Lanka, are plastics. As such, Sri Lanka needs to wake up to the fact that the threat is real, and that we need to act now.

With global warming increasing the ocean’s temperature, the increase in ocean levels adds to risk of coastal erosion, flooding and significant displacement of coastal communities. With most of our population concentrated on the coastal belt, Sri Lanka’s vulnerability is evident. The time for talking has almost run out, it is time for action.