By Rashidul Islam Shuvo
Bangladesh is situated on one of the biggest and most populated deltas in the world, where the Jamuna, Padma, and Meghna rivers meet, with the Bay of Bengal to the south and the Himalayas to the north. Bangladesh ranks highly on the list of nations most vulnerable to climate destruction due to its low-lying delta topography and geographic vulnerability. The global effects of climate change are examined in this editorial, along with the obstacles Bangladesh confronts in its adaptation efforts and suggestions for enhancing resilience to deal with these issues.
A cross-border phenomenon, climate change has an impact on ecosystems, economies, and societies all across the world. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human activities including burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes are mostly to blame for the roughly 1.2 degree Celsius increase in global temperatures since the late 19th century. Hurricanes, droughts, and floods are among the more extreme weather phenomena brought on by this warming.
The ramifications of climate change in South Asia are extensive. Millions of people’s access to water is threatened by melting Himalayan glaciers, and coastal towns are at risk of floods due to increasing sea levels. A crucial time for agriculture, the monsoon season has grown more unpredictable, resulting in both severe floods and protracted droughts. The effects extend beyond the environment; they also pose a threat to public health, economic stability, and food security.
Bangladesh alone will be affected by sea level rise, salinity problem, river direction change due to Himalayan ice melting, floods etc. In addition, the level of natural disasters is also very high. Maldives, Tuvalu, Tobago – Not all of these criteria apply. Moreover, the total population of Maldives is less than the population of many districts of Bangladesh. Therefore, in these four criteria, Bangladesh is at the top of the list of victims of climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index published by the international research institute German Watch in 2010, Bangladesh ranks first among the top 10 affected countries in terms of damage due to climate change. This survey was conducted from 1990 to 2009 on 193 countries. Note that Bangladesh is the most affected country in the 2007 and 2008 reports published by the organization. Global researchers have termed Bangladesh as the poster child for climate change-related damage caused by sea level rise.
Bangladesh is working to adapt to climate change, but there are a number of obstacles in the way. Lack of funding, Geographical Vulnerability, Infrastructure Challenges, Population Density etc are the significant obstacles. The government of Bangladesh cannot afford the expenditures of putting comprehensive adaptation methods into practice, such as investing in sustainable agriculture, developing early warning systems, and constructing resilient infrastructure. Although international financing and assistance are crucial, they frequently fall short of what is required. As well as, Institutional capability is another constraint. Bangladesh’s bureaucratic structure might make it more difficult to implement climate policy effectively. Developing an integrated climate action plan is made more difficult by corruption, a lack of cooperation across agencies, and a lack of technical expertise. Furthermore, while being disproportionately impacted by climate change, rural populations frequently lack the knowledge and tools necessary to properly adapt.
It is worth to mention that engagement and public awareness are also crucial in the perspective of climate resilience. The dangers posed by climate change and the actions that can be taken to lessen its consequences are not completely understood by many populations. Complacency and a lack of readiness to worsen the effects of climate-related calamities might result from this information gap. Furthermore, the socioeconomic situation in Bangladesh presents a special difficulty. Many are compelled to put short-term survival ahead of long-term planning since so many people live below the poverty line. Their inability to invest in adaptation strategies is a result of this poverty cycle, which increases their susceptibility to climate shocks.
In order to successfully adjust to the new normal brought about by climate change, Bangladesh needs to take a multifaceted approach. The following suggestions will help to increase its resilience: Governments must to look for international assistance and give climate funding top priority. This entails investing in long-term sustainability projects in addition to obtaining funds for short-term adaption programs. Resources and technical know-how can be increased by forming alliances with private companies, NGOs, and international organizations. Efficiency and accountability can be increased by streamlining government organizations engaged in climate action. To guarantee that activities are coordinated, a central coordinating organization for climate adaptation should be established. Programs that increase local governments’ and communities’ capacity will enable them to act proactively.
It is essential to construct infrastructure that is resistant to the effects of climate change. These include constructing seawalls in susceptible coastal areas, enhancing drainage systems, and creating roads that are resistant to flooding. In addition to encouraging sustainability, investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind can lessen dependency on fossil fuels.
It is becoming more and more evident that adaptation is not only required but also a key component of Bangladesh’s resilience as it negotiates the difficulties presented by climate change. Bangladesh may turn weaknesses into strengths by making investments in environmentally friendly infrastructure, raising community awareness, and putting in place sensible legislative measures. In addition to protecting its citizens’ means of subsistence, this proactive strategy establishes a standard for other countries dealing with comparable dangers. In the end, a sustainable future that enables Bangladesh to prosper despite environmental uncertainty will depend on embracing innovation and teamwork.
The Writer is a Member of Social Research Group (SRG) and an Undergradute Student of Public Administration, Comilla University
