Resilience-Oriented Practices in Sea-LevelRise-Induced Human Migration in Coastal Bangladesh and Louisiana

Abstract

Sea-Level Rise (SLR) combines slow- and rapid-onset climatic events and produces both environmental-induced migration and forced displacement. The coastal areas of Bangladesh and of the U.S. state of Louisiana are vulnerable to coastal or tidal flooding, saltwater intrusion, and other climatic events, which might worsen because of SLR. These coasts are facing adversity with persistent resolve due to the displacement of people from the coast due to SLR. On the basis of a systematic literature review of secondary sources, this study found that national, federal, or local governments are implementing several structural and non-structural resilience-oriented practices to keep people in their existing place. The study emphasizes that flood insurance is a resilience tool to protect residents and to help them in their existing location, but it requires adequate implementation. The study found that both structural and non-structural resilience practices with the necessary policy measures; political will; maintenance of the status quo with proper implementation of policies, plans, and programs; integration of resilience-oriented practices with relevant plans, policies, and programs; local people participation in the policymaking and implementation processes can avert people from migrating from sea-level-rise-induced impacts in both studied areas. Restoring both delta regions and giving importance to socioeconomic, ecological, and cultural aspects will be a win-win approach.