The city of Mumbai, situated off the Western coast of India, has relied on the sea to facilitate trade and transportation, promote tourism, and provide a food source. However, as sea levels continue to rise, the intrusion of water will cause detrimental effects on the economy and social fabric of this city.
Mumbai has served as a hub for maritime trade since 1000 BCE when the city was heavily involved in seaborne commerce with Egypt and Persia (Raghavan). As India’s financial and commercial center, Mumbai accounts for 40% of maritime trade and “is one of the world's top ten centers of commerce by global financial flow” (“Mumbai”). Through maritime trade, Mumbai imports copious amounts of petroleum, fertilizers, chemicals, and paper, which supports the production of automobiles, metals, chemicals, and papermaking. These manufacturing activities have provided a source of income as well as new opportunities for employment in Mumbai. The city’s exports include raw cotton and textiles, which yield more revenue to …show more content…
Severe weather events also limit access to food, which will contribute to the displacement of more individuals located in flood-susceptible zones. This movement of people will alter the portion of Mumbai’s population residing in coastal areas and will increase urbanization. Flooding will cause work disruptions for individuals who work near the coast and will leave an abundance of people stranded on the streets or at schools. Furthermore, human health is a major area for concern as sea levels continue to rise. Because “saltwater intrusion into fresh water increases salinity of groundwater basins and well water,” the risk of vector-borne and diarrheal disease is remarkably higher (“Sea Level Rise, Climate Change and Health”). These diseases will result in a loss of income for afflicted individuals due to non-working days and will lead to deaths among Mumbai’s
Mumbai has served as a hub for maritime trade since 1000 BCE when the city was heavily involved in seaborne commerce with Egypt and Persia (Raghavan). As India’s financial and commercial center, Mumbai accounts for 40% of maritime trade and “is one of the world's top ten centers of commerce by global financial flow” (“Mumbai”). Through maritime trade, Mumbai imports copious amounts of petroleum, fertilizers, chemicals, and paper, which supports the production of automobiles, metals, chemicals, and papermaking. These manufacturing activities have provided a source of income as well as new opportunities for employment in Mumbai. The city’s exports include raw cotton and textiles, which yield more revenue to …show more content…
Severe weather events also limit access to food, which will contribute to the displacement of more individuals located in flood-susceptible zones. This movement of people will alter the portion of Mumbai’s population residing in coastal areas and will increase urbanization. Flooding will cause work disruptions for individuals who work near the coast and will leave an abundance of people stranded on the streets or at schools. Furthermore, human health is a major area for concern as sea levels continue to rise. Because “saltwater intrusion into fresh water increases salinity of groundwater basins and well water,” the risk of vector-borne and diarrheal disease is remarkably higher (“Sea Level Rise, Climate Change and Health”). These diseases will result in a loss of income for afflicted individuals due to non-working days and will lead to deaths among Mumbai’s