As global temperatures continue to climb and extreme weather events intensify, the stark reality of climate change confronts every nation and community worldwide. The recent keynote address by Prof. Buddhi Marambe from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Peradeniya, at the International Multidisciplinary Desk Research Conference 2024, organised by the University of Kelaniya and held on October 25, 2024, at the Faculty of Computer and Technology, University of Kelaniya, highlighted the dire impact of climate change and the urgent need for Sri Lanka to take decisive action.
Here are highlights from the speech.
A present and persistent crisis
Climate change is no longer a distant or hypothetical threat. Scientific consensus and rising temperature records affirm its presence. The year 2023 has already been recorded as the warmest in history, and the ten warmest years have occurred since 2010. Global temperature rises are directly linked to human activity, especially after the industrial revolution, driving significant and accelerating changes in the Earth’s climate.
Prof. Marambe said that while climate change cannot be completely halted, its progression can be mitigated. Even if greenhouse gas emissions were halted immediately, the effects of past emissions would continue to influence the environment for at least the next four decades. Sri Lanka, as a small island nation with diverse ecological zones, faces unique challenges in adapting to this new climate reality.
Lanka’s rising temperatures and changing climate
Since 1961, the average annual temperature in Sri Lanka has been rising at a rate between 0.01°C and 0.03°C per year. Although this increase may seem minor, its cumulative impact over decades is substantial, leading to increasingly warmer weather, even in traditionally cool areas such as Kandy. In the late 1990s, homes in Kandy did not require fans; today, however, fans have become a necessity as temperatures soar.
The escalating temperature is reshaping Sri Lanka’s climate zones and altering weather patterns. In recent years, the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, landslides, and high-intensity rainfalls has increased. The devastation caused by the 2016 Samasara landslide in Mawanella, where 93 people lost their lives, is just one tragic example of how climate change impacts human lives and infrastructure.
Crops at risk
One of the sectors most vulnerable to climate change is agriculture. Sri Lanka’s staple crops are threatened by unpredictable weather and temperature changes. For example, Rambutan, a popular local fruit, relies on a dry February to thrive. However, unexpected rainfall in this typically dry period has reduced yields, resulting in higher prices and scarcity.
High temperatures during July, traditionally known as Ähäla Pussa (or “infertile July”), are increasingly impacting crop pollination, with dried-out pollen preventing fertilisation. Drought-tolerant rice varieties, such as Bg251 and Bg314, have been developed to combat these issues, yet the extensive time and resources required to breed such resilient crops pose an ongoing challenge.
Even potatoes, typically grown in cooler climates like Nuwara Eliya, are at risk. For tubers to develop, a consistent 8°C difference between day and night temperatures is necessary. However, night temperatures in these regions are rising faster than daytime temperatures, compromising potato growth. The Department of Agriculture has been searching for new suitable locations, though the success remains limited.
Biodiversity in crisis
Sri Lanka boasts remarkable biodiversity, with more than 120 soil series, three major climatic zones, and 46 agro-ecological regions. It is a biodiversity hotspot, home to numerous endemic species, and leads Asia into species density. However, this diversity complicates climate solutions, as interventions suitable for one area may not be effective for others. Each unique ecosystem requires specific and often complex climate adaptation strategies to sustain both biodiversity and human development.
Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns disrupt ecosystems, affecting both wildlife and livestock. For instance, cattle are increasingly vulnerable to heat stress, which hampers their productivity and ability to graze. The adverse impacts on animal agriculture, in turn, threaten food security and economic stability.
Path to climate resilience
Sri Lanka’s Government has recognised the pressing need for climate action and has devised two comprehensive policies to guide the nation. The “Sri Lanka Climate Prosperity Plan 2022–2030” aims to build climate resilience and requires $26.53 billion for implementation. Meanwhile, the “Carbon Net Zero 2050” strategy sets an ambitious goal to make Sri Lanka carbon-neutral by 2050, an effort that would require $140 billion in funding.
The financial burden of these initiatives poses a challenge for Sri Lanka, a developing nation already grappling with substantial debt. Sri Lanka’s international partnerships and policy implementation will be crucial to achieving these objectives. Prof. Marambe said that while the nation is adept at drafting policies, effective implementation remains a critical area for improvement.
Balancing development with climate adaptation
As Prof. Marambe noted, climate adaptation must account for Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic diversity and varying regional needs. Solutions must be adaptable to local conditions and prioritise no-regret options that provide benefits under a variety of future climate scenarios.
Sri Lanka’s approach to climate change must integrate sustainable development goals with climate resilience efforts. Excessive rains in the Western region contrast with severe droughts in the dry zone, demanding differentiated strategies to manage water resources, sustain agriculture, and secure livelihoods.
Scientific research on climate solutions
Scientific research plays an indispensable role in guiding Sri Lanka’s climate response. Research efforts have already led to the development of drought-tolerant rice and tea cultivars. However, crop breeding is a long-term process that requires continuous investment. It can take up to 25 years to develop a resilient tea cultivar, underscoring the need for sustained support of scientific institutions and researchers.
Prof. Marambe urged the Sri Lankan public to distinguish between fact and fiction when it comes to climate science. Effective climate action requires evidence-based policies and initiatives. Fictionalised or exaggerated portrayals of climate phenomena can mislead, prompting rash decisions rather than well-planned, sustainable actions.
Call for collective action
Climate change represents one of humanity’s greatest challenges, demanding a united, global response. Sri Lanka, while relatively small in terms of global emissions, has the responsibility and the potential to contribute meaningfully to international climate goals. The nation’s unique environmental features, coupled with its vulnerability to climate impacts, make a strong case for targeted, locally adapted climate initiatives.
As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, the window of action narrows. Sri Lanka’s journey towards climate resilience will require substantial resources, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to science-backed solutions. Climate change is not merely a theoretical debate, it is a pressing, present-day crisis that demands an urgent and unified response from all sectors of society.
Ultimately, Sri Lanka’s climate response will shape not only the fate of its environment but also the wellbeing of its people and the prospects of future generations.
This article has been compiled by Amasha Nanayakkara, Communication and Media Unit, University of Kelaniya
