Coastal zones in Tamil Nadu are important habitats for biodiversity and provide a livelihood for thousands of artisanal fishermen and -women. Communities here are feeling the effects of climate change. With erratic rainfall and summer temperatures rising, the number of crops grown annually has diminished, so that incomes are no longer stable. Storm surges occur more frequently, and rises in sea level will further affect coastal zones: the resulting salinization of land and ground water will…