PI:   Dr. Aiswarya K. P.

Objective:

1. To identify long-term trends and analyse the spatial and temporal variability in the frequency and duration of monsoon breaks over Kerala.
2. To investigate the relationship between monsoon breaks and large-scale circulation patterns, assess associated temperature anomalies, and evaluate their compound impact on soil moisture, crop yield, and agricultural productivity in Kerala.

PI:   Dr. Sinan Nizar

Introduction:

Climate change is an urgent global issue that demands immediate attention and action. Its far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human well-being necessitate urgent action and a comprehensive understanding of its complexities. Apart from research, outreach activities play a pivotal role in raising awareness and mobilizing communities to take action. By reaching out to diverse audiences, including policymakers, stakeholders, students, and the general public, outreach activities can effectively communicate the urgency of climate change, its causes, and potential solutions. However, educating students requires a tailored approach that can effectively resonate with their mental maturity. Recognizing the need of such a framework, this project proposes to develop climate-related experiments and activities to capture students' interest to effectively disseminate climate change information.

Reviewing the outreach activities of major global institutes reveals a wide range of innovative approaches. From public lectures and workshops to community engagement programs, these institutions have effectively educated and empowered individuals to take action. However, at present, ICCS lacks a comprehensive outreach programme/material for climate awareness. Engaging students in climate-related activities is paramount. By fostering a sense of curiosity and understanding at an early age, we can shape a generation of environmentally conscious citizens. This project envisions interactive experiments, workshops, and educational campaigns that captivate students and inspire them to actively participate in climate action. Moreover, recognizing the power of technology in disseminating climate information, the project proposes to leverage innovative tools such as virtual reality, to create immersive experiences that covey climate related challenges to students.

Objective:

1.  Develop experiments and infrastructure to demonstrate climate/weather related phenomena.
2.  Design and implement an immersive virtual reality platform to effectively communicate climate-related information.
3.  Conduct extensive educational and outreach campaigns across the State to foster climate awareness among students.

PI:   Dr. C. C. Bajish

Problem Statement:

Coastal environments are dynamic and continuously changing due to the complex ocean, atmosphere, and land interactions. These interactions give rise to processes of erosion and accretion, leading to constant reshaping and repositioning of shorelines. Coastal regions hold significant economic importance for nations, serving as hubs for marine transportation, offshore energy drilling, fishing, tourism, and recreation. Additionally, these areas support diverse species and habitats, providing essential ecological and societal benefits. However, coastal areas are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, storm frequency and intensity changes, increased precipitation, and warmer ocean temperatures pose significant challenges. Climate-related factors exacerbate existing issues faced by coastal regions, including shoreline erosion, coastal flooding, and water pollution. Innovative approaches to land and water management, waste management, and ecosystem conservation are essential to address these challenges.

In Kerala, where approximately 80% of the population resides in coastal districts, the pressure on coastal areas has increased significantly due to agriculture, fisheries, tourism, business, and industrial activities. The ~600-kilometre shoreline is densely populated, and the impacts of habitation and anthropogenic activities on beaches have intensified over the past few decades. Understanding the ocean's role in shaping climate patterns is crucial as ocean system changes occur over longer periods than atmospheric changes. Ocean-atmosphere interactions and water movement within the oceans take place gradually, persisting for decades, centuries, or even longer. In recent decades, the Arabian Sea has experienced rapid warming at a rate faster than other tropical basins. This warming negatively affects primary productivity (Roxy et al., 2016), reduces rainfall in the Indian subcontinent (Roxy et al., 2015), and increases extreme rainfall and flooding over most parts of India (Mishra et al., 2020). Climate change-induced ocean temperature and current alterations have broader implications for global and regional climate patterns. Warmer waters contribute to the development of stronger tropical storms (Murakami et al., 2020), resulting in property damage and loss of life. Coastal communities, particularly in Kerala, face significant threats from sea-level rise and intensified storm surges, including inundation, coastal erosion, and the contamination of freshwater reserves and food crops. A comprehensive understanding of key ocean climatic variables such as sea surface temperature, ocean heat content, sea level changes, and waves is on a regional scale is essential to mitigate these risks. This knowledge will facilitate more accurate prediction and assessment of the associated risks, enabling effective adaptation strategies and safeguarding vulnerable coastal communities.

Objective:

1. Investigate the dynamics of key ocean climatic variables: The first objective is to investigate the dynamics of key ocean climatic variables, such as sea surface temperature, ocean heat content, sea level changes, and waves on a regional scale. This research will enhance our understanding of the factors driving climate change impacts in coastal regions of Kerala. It will involve studying long-term trends, patterns, and variations in these variables and their relationship to climate change-induced alterations in ocean systems.
2.  Assess the impacts of climate change on Kerala's coastal regions: The second objective is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of climate change on Kerala's coastal areas. This includes analysing the effects of rising sea levels, changes in storm frequency and intensity, increased precipitation, and warmer ocean temperatures on shoreline erosion, coastal flooding, and water pollution using remote sensing data and models. By understanding these impacts, effective mitigation and adaptation strategies can be developed.
3. Develop predictive models and strategies for coastal resilience: The third objective is to develop predictive models and strategies that can be used to enhance coastal resilience in Kerala. By integrating the knowledge gained from understanding the dynamics of key ocean climatic variables and assessing climate change impacts, this objective aims to develop tools and approaches for predicting and managing the risks associated with coastal challenges.

PI:  Dr. K. Rajendran

Project In-Charge: Dr. Sinan Nizar

Objective: Strengthening Climate Research by Enhancing Computing Infrastructure and Research Manpower

PI:  Prof. K. P. Sudheer

Co- PI: Dr. Sinan Nizar

Objective: 

1. Climate Monitoring, Analysis and Projection
2. Climate Change Impact Analysis and Adaptation

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PI: Prof. K. P. Sudheer

Co- PI: Dr. K. Rajendran, Dr. C. C. Bajish, Dr. Sinan Nizar

Collaborating Institutions: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,

Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM)
R & D Organization under KSCSTE
Govt. of Kerala

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
Pune, Maharashtra

Objective:

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PI:

Co- PI:

Objective:

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PI:  Prof. K. P. Sudheer

Co- PI: Dr. Sinan Nizar

Objective:

1. Develop a hydrological model for the Greater Pampa River Basin, to quantify hydrologic components in the basin.
2. Run the model with historic and projected climate data to analyse current and future water availability.
3. Propose policy changes and developmental plans to mitigate potential negative impacts on the future water availability and utilization in the basin

PI:  Prof. K. P. Sudheer

Co- PI: Dr. Sinan Nizar and Dr. Aiswarya K. P.

Objective:

1. Evaluate the water availability, flow patterns, and seasonal variations within the river basin.
2. Document all water uses, including agricultural, industrial, domestic, and ecological needs.
3.  Define key performance indicators to track the water utility’s progress on a year to year basis and set performance targets and benchmark performance with other water utilities

PI:  Prof. K. P. Sudheer

Co- PI: Dr. Sinan Nizar and Dr. Aiswarya K. P.

Objective:

1. To identify and analyse the legal constraints affecting the governance of the Periyar River Basin, including inter-state disputes, water-sharing agreements, and landmark judgments.
2.  To evaluate the roles and effectiveness of existing institutional mechanisms such as committees, commissions, and department-level coordination in managing the river basin.