Affiliations: Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Institute
(SEADPRI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia | Institute of Climate Change (IKP), Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia | Faculty of Economics and Management (FEP), Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia | Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and
Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 Selangor, Malaysia
Abstract: Sea level rise (SLR) due to global warming would severely affect
the coastal areas of many countries of the world through inundation of coastal
areas and islands, shoreline erosion, and destruction of important ecosystems
such as wetlands and mangroves. A significant increase of sea level would
hamper the economy, trade, tourism, biodiversity and livelihood. This article
attempts to highlight a snapshot of physical, economic and social impacts of
SLR and adaptation measures needed in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the total mangrove
would be lost with 90 cm rise in the sea level and destruction of coastal bunds
could inundate 1000 km^2 agricultural lands. Malaysia would be needing 5750
million US$ PPP additional economic cost for SLR in 2030. In addition, Malaysia
would lose 7000 km^2 land area and more than 0.05 million population would be
displaced by 1 m SLR in 2100 if no adaptation measures are taken. The country's
total cost of SLR with and without adaptation would be 160.92 and 655.09
million US$/year respectively under A2 scenario. Thus, adaptation measures are
necessary to reduce the possible impacts of SLR in coastal zones. Adaptation
measures such as coastal defenses, beach nourishment, offshore barriers, flood
gate, mangrove creation etc. should be taken to limit the negative impact of
SLR in Malaysia. These adaptation measures and responses should be mainstreamed
with local policy, planning and resilience-building strategies.
Keywords: Sea level rise, impacts, adaptation measures, Malaysia
