Climate change and COVID-19: The double whammy for coastal community in Demak, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

In 2020 the coastal community in Demak-Indonesia faced two alarming events of their lives, the COVID-19 Pandemic and tidal flooding (Rob) events with a frequency and duration longer than usual. It is well-accepted worldwide that tidal flooding is one of the consequences of climate change caused by sea level rises. This paper will focus on the impact of a double whammy;climate change and COVID-19 Pandemic are in the coastal community. To analyze and describe the research question, we use the media analysis method of 21 Indonesian news articles from March to September 2020. Data from the media analysis using Discourse Network Analyzer (DNA) and open interview to describe the latest coastal community’s condition, including the socio-economic impact and response to the double whammy. The results show that this year’s tidal floods are the worst, seen from the duration, and the altitude is getting bigger than previous years. The tidal floods coupled with the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which made them economically locked down. Strengthening the resilience of the fisherman community in Demak is essential. It needs government policy support that considers ocean sustainability to improve their welfare and enhance preparedness in facing a double whammy in the future.