📋 Group Discussion Analysis Guide

The Impact of Rising Sea Levels on Coastal Cities and the Need for Sustainable Infrastructure

🌍 Introduction to the Topic

• 🌐 Opening Context: “Rising sea levels, driven by climate change, are not just an environmental concern—they represent an existential threat to millions living in coastal cities worldwide. For B-school students, the issue offers a vital lens to explore sustainable development and disaster management.”
• 📖 Topic Background: Sea levels have risen approximately 21–24 cm since 1880, with a significant acceleration over the last three decades. Coastal cities like Jakarta, Miami, and Mumbai face inundation threats, necessitating investments in sustainable infrastructure to protect lives and economies.

📊 Quick Facts and Key Statistics

• 🌊 Global Sea-Level Rise: 3.3 mm/year (IPCC, 2023) – Reflects accelerated glacial melt and thermal expansion.
• 🏙️ Coastal Population: 40% of the global population resides within 100 km of coasts, highlighting vulnerability.
• 💸 Economic Risks: $14 trillion in assets at risk by 2100 in coastal cities (World Bank, 2023).
• 🏗️ Adaptation Costs: Projected $400 billion annually by 2050 for infrastructure upgrades (UNEP, 2023).

🌍 Stakeholders and Their Roles

• 🏛️ Governments: Policy-making and funding for infrastructure resilience.
• 🏢 Private Sector: Investment in green technologies and urban planning.
• 🌱 NGOs and Researchers: Advocacy, awareness, and innovative solutions.
• 👥 Citizens: Behavioral changes to reduce carbon footprints.

🏆 Achievements and Challenges

Achievements:

• 🌊 Netherlands: The Delta Works project safeguards against sea-level rise.
• 🏙️ South Korea: Busan Green U-City integrates climate-resilient design.
• 🌳 Mangrove Restoration: Reduces storm surges by 31% on average.

Challenges:

• 💸 High Costs: Jakarta’s seawall project requires $40 billion—beyond local budgets.
• 🌍 Displacement: Over 200 million people may be displaced by 2100.
• 🤝 Global Cooperation Gaps: Limited alignment on mitigation and adaptation funding.

💬 Structured Arguments for Discussion

• ✅ Supporting Stance: “Sustainable infrastructure investments are critical for protecting coastal economies and preventing human displacement.”
• ❌ Opposing Stance: “Current technologies and costs make widespread adaptation challenging and inequitable.”
• ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “While costly, sustainable infrastructure is an unavoidable necessity, with innovative financing models offering hope.”

🗣️ Effective Discussion Approaches

Opening Approaches:

• 📊 Present a startling fact: “Over 570 coastal cities are at risk of partial flooding by 2050.”
• 📖 Begin with a case study: “Jakarta is sinking at an alarming rate of 10 cm per year, forcing its capital relocation.”

Counter-Argument Handling:

• 💡 Rebut concerns about costs by citing economic benefits of disaster prevention.
• 🌍 Address equity by proposing global climate funds for vulnerable nations.

📊 Strategic Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses

• 💪 Strengths: Economic protection, enhanced resilience, global collaboration potential.
• ❌ Weaknesses: High costs, technical barriers, and slow policy implementation.
• 🌟 Opportunities: Carbon credits, green technologies, and global partnerships.
• ⚠️ Threats: Political resistance and escalating climate risks.

🎓 Connecting with B-School Applications

• 🌐 Real-World Applications: Integrate into finance (green bonds), operations (supply chain resilience), and strategy (sustainability).
• 🎯 Sample Interview Questions:
• “How would you balance costs and benefits in sustainable city planning?”
• “What lessons can be drawn from the Netherlands for Indian coastal cities?”
• 📘 Insights for B-School Students:
• Focus on innovative financing models like climate bonds.
• Research on urban planning projects integrating sustainability.