By Abu Bakar Siddik
When the conditions of a milder country are excessive hot in summer and excessive cold in winter, it is understood that there has been a change which we call climate change. Climate change is the long-term alteration of Earth’s climate, mainly due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, causing global warming and extreme weather events.
Climate change impacts are increasing all over the world, the melting of polar ice caps and the rise in sea level, resulting in coastal flooding, people are losing their homes and cropland due to this flooding. So the physical change is not only a disaster for the coastal people but also a huge threat to the country’s economy. Therefore, sustainable solutions are needed.
Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries due to its geographic location and low-lying coastal areas. Rural communities face frequent cyclones, floods, and rising sea levels, which threaten their homes, livelihoods, and health. While some efforts can improve climate resilience, significant challenges remain.
According to Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department, the frequency of severe cyclones has doubled in the last 30 years. Cyclones like Sidr (2007), Aila (2009), and Amphan (2020) caused devastating damage.
Data from the World Bank shows that over 2.5 million hectares of coastal land are affected by salinity, reducing agricultural productivity. The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that about 14% of Bangladesh’s workforce depends on agriculture, which is highly affected by climate change.Rising sea levels have displaced around 500,000 coastal residents, as per a 2022 UN study.
Only 30% of households in coastal areas have access to safe drinking water, with contamination worsening due to rising salinity levels.
Due to this Climate effects in Bangladesh we should recommend some points which implementation might reduce the rate of overall losses.
Promote crops like saline-resistant rice varieties to improve food security in salinity-prone . Upgrade and maintain embankments to reduce flooding and cyclone damage. Use eco-friendly materials and ensure regular monitoring.
Expand early warning systems and provide cyclone shelters to ensure safety during disasters. Involve local communities in planning and, train coastal communities in non-agricultural skills like fishing, handicrafts, or renewable energy technology to diversify income sources.
Build desalination plants, install rainwater harvesting systems, and improve sanitation infrastructure to provide safe drinking water. Expand mangrove forests to act as natural barriers against storms and reduce coastal erosion.
We should Create awareness campaigns to teach communities about climate risks and adaptive practices.
Bangladesh has made progress in climate resilience, such as developing cyclone shelters and adaptive farming techniques. However, noticing challenges like salinity, and livelihood loss can provide sustainable solutions. With proper implementation and community involvement, the coastal population can achieve greater resilience and stability. Raising sea level is not only problem for Bangladesh but also it is the mejor problem of most of the country, So the political leaders or responsible people of Bangladesh can create an example by taking effective initiative against climate diversity which will influence and inspire others country to take urgent steps against this change. Therefore we can expect a world where there is no rural communities whom are effected by the disastrous flood near costal areas due to sea level raising.
The Writer is a Member of Social Research Group (SRG) and an undergraduate Student of Public Administration, Comilla University. This is a work in progress.
