Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate-related hazards such as cyclones and floods, despite its negligible contribution to global warming (less than 0.47% of global emissions). The rise of sea levels by 1-2 feet by the end of the century poses a risk of flooding to 17% of its land area. The frequency and damage caused by natural disasters have increased 4-5 times and 6 times, respectively, since the 1950s. The increasing temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns have reduced crop yields by up to 20% in some areas and caused saltwater intrusion, affecting over 2 million people in coastal areas and reducing access to drinking water. The costs of natural disasters could increase from 0.5% of GDP in 2010 to 2% of GDP by 2050. Scientists predict that 1.5°C of global warming will result in heat waves, changes in seasons and precipitation patterns, affecting flooding and drought occurrences. Climate sensitive agrarian economies of the region will face serious crisis unless the temperature is checked and new technologies, practices and lifestyles are adapted. Climate change adaptation will sustain food security, increase resilience to disaster and climate change, protect and enhance local ecosystems, and enhance human resources, reducing overall vulnerability. To cope with this Bangladesh is taking various actions to address climate change, such as promoting renewable energy, implementing coastal zone management strategies, increasing public transportation, developing alternative livelihood options, and increasing awareness and education. Additionally, they are planting more trees, enhancing disaster risk reduction, encouraging energy-efficient technologies, investing in early warning systems, and collaborating with international organizations.
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INTRODUCTION
VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE: is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, and
unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes.
Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude and rate of climate change and variation to
which a system is EXPOSED, its SENSITIVITY, and its ADAPTIVE CAPACITY (IPCC) .
CO2
concentration
Highest
In at least
2 million years
Glaciers
retreat
Unprecedented
In at least
2000 years
Sea level
rise
Fastest rates
In at least
3000 years
Temperature
rise
Extreme heat
since
1975
Source: IPCC(AR5)
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INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate-related hazards such as
cyclones and floods. UNISDR estimated the average annual losses to disaster at around $3 billion, or
around 1% to 2% of GDP, UNISDR (2018).
Source: Climate Risk Index (GermanWatch, 2021)
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OBJECTIVES
To know the causes of climate change and vulnerability.
To know the possible impacts of climate change on different sectors.
To know how Bangladesh responses to minimize the extreme effect of
climate change.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
Source
Google
SAU Digital library
Time Frame
05 to 08 February, 2023
Papers published from
2000 to 2022
Materials
Research papers
Books
Different org. articles
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RESULT AND DISCUSSION
141
86
5 5 9
22
29
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
No
of
Events
Natural Disaster
No. of Events
Figure 1. Frequency of Natural Disaster in Bangladesh since 1972 (EM-DAT/CRED).
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Impacts of Natural Disasters
Table 1. Impacts of Natural Disasters on Bangladesh Since 1972 (EM-DAT)
Source: STM Journals, 2018
Disaster Type Total Deaths Total Affected
Flood 4,22,79 30,42,56,323
Storm 17,42,88 6,34,45,949
Epidemic 10,188 30,42,429
landslide 263 1,36,470
Extreme Heat 2440 4,14,200
Earthquake 45 19,395
Drought 18 2,50,02,000
Total 22,95,21 39,63,16,766
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Recent Cyclone in Bangladesh
Table 2. Recent Cyclone in Bangladesh
Source: ReliefWeb (a humanitarian information portal), 2022
Year Cyclone Deaths of people
Economic loss
(US$)
Nov 15, 2007 Sidr 10,000 1,700 billion
May 27-29, 2009 Aila 190 269.28 million
May 16-17, 2013 Mahasen 17 35.3 million
Jul 29, 2015 Komen 45 18.1 million
May 21, 2016 Roanu 30 19.3 million
May 29-31, 2017 Mora 7 34.2 million
May 4, 2019 Fani 3 63.6 million
Nov 9, 2019 Bulbul 25 31 million
May 20, 2020 Amphan 23 131 million
May 26, 2021 Yaas 2 21.3 million
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Fig. 2: Frequency of Flood in Bangladesh on the Basis of
their Types (EM-DAT/CRED)
Reverine flood
54%
Flash flood
13%
Coastal Area
2%
Others
31%
Reverine flood Flash flood Coastal Area Others
Flood in Bangladesh
Table 3. Total Impacts of Flood Since 1972 (EM-DAT/CRED).
Total
Event
Total
Deaths
Total Affected
Total Area
Affected (km2)
86 42279 396316766 747230.11
Source: STM Journals, 2018
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Sea level rises due to climate change
Source: IPCC, 2019
Fig. 3: Sea level rises due to climate change in Bangladesh:
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Sea level rises due to climate change
Fig. 4: Sea level rises due to climate change in Bangladesh
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Annualized rice yield loss in Bangladesh
Figure 6: Cumulative annualized rice yield loss in Bangladesh accounting for 14 yield-loss-determinants
at different phases of production systems.
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Impacts of Climate Change:
Source: IPCC(AR5)
Table 4: Vulnerability of Bangladesh to the Impacts of Climate Change:
Impacts Projection
Rising sea levels
sea levels rise by 1-2 feet by the end of the century,
17% of Bangladesh's land area at risk of being flooded.
Increased frequency and
severity of natural disasters
increased by 4-5 times since the 1950s, and the
damage has increased by 6 times over the same period.
Impacts on agriculture
changes in temperatures and rainfall patterns have
reduced crop yields by up to 20%
Economic impacts
costs of natural disasters in Bangladesh could increase
from 0.5% of GDP in 2010 to 2% of GDP by 2050.
Increased water scarcity
Around 80 percent of the people in the coastal region
of Bangladesh are deprived of drinking water and the
situation is expected to worsen as sea levels rise
Saltwater intrusion
saltwater intrusion has affected over 2 million people
in coastal areas
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Overall effects of climate change
Figure 8: The overall effects of climate change on food security in Bangladesh
Climate
Change
Temperature,
Rainfall,
Sea level Rise
Flood,
Drought,
Cyclone,
Salinity
Food Security
(Agriculture,
Fishers &
Livestock)
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BANGLADESH’S RESPONSE
Policy Response at National Level:
1. Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), 2009 (Updated in 2022)
2. Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Act, 2010
3. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), 2015 (Enhanced & Updated in 2021)
4. Bangladesh Delta Plan, 2100
5. National Adaptation Plan (NAP), 2023-2050
6. Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) 2022-2041
7. Plan of Action to Implement Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
8. National Solar Energy Roadmap, 2021-2041
9. Bangladesh Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan up to 2030
10.National Action Plan for Clean Cooking, 2020-2030
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BANGLADESH’S RESPONSE
Adaptation Measures in Agriculture: Government of Bangladesh has undertaken research on the
development of drought, cold, waterlog, diseases, pest and salt tolerant crop varieties to cope with the
changing climate.
1. Early harvest short duration rice varieties: BRRI dhan 62 (100 days)
2. Drought tolerant early varieties: BRRI dhan 42, BRRI dhan 43
3. Salt tolerant rice varieties: BRRI dhan 23, BRRI dhan 40, BRRI dhan 41
4. Flooding tolerant varieties: BRRI dhan51, BRRI dhan52
5. Stress tolerant other crop varieties: BARI Gom 22(heat tolerant);
BARI Hybrid Maize 16 (salt tolerant);
BARI Hybrid Maize 12, 13(drought tolerant).
6. Floating Agriculture: vegetables and spices
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CONCLUSION
IPCC projects climate change to worsen with increasing heat waves, altered seasons, and changes
in precipitation affecting floods and droughts in all regions with 1.5°C of global warming.
The future of food security is threatened by the increasing risk of severe disasters due to climate
change.
Rising temperatures, climate-sensitive agrarian economies in the region will face serious
crises.
Bangladesh is taking proactive measures to address the impacts of climate change by implementing
adaptation strategies to enhance food security, increase resilience to disaster and climate risks,
protect local ecosystems, and reduce overall vulnerability.
Risk reduction measures, such as drought-proofing, flood protection, saline embankments, bio-
shields, and alternative livelihood development, must be developed and adapted to changing climate
scenarios.
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Climate Smart Agriculture:
Bangladesh should take steps to develop integrated food security and
sustainable production by using Climate Smart Agriculture.
Strengthen Research and Development:
Bangladesh should Increase investment in research and development for
climate-resilient technologies
Strengthen adaptation measures:
Bangladesh should continue to invest in and implement effective
adaptation measures, including the expansion of disaster risk reduction
and early warning systems, and the development of climate-resilient
infrastructure.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Enhance mitigation efforts:
Bangladesh should take steps to reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions, including through the promotion of clean energy, energy
efficiency, and sustainable transportation
Promote public-private partnerships
Bangladesh should encourage public-private partnerships to support
the implementation of climate change initiatives, including financing
for renewable energy and other climate-friendly projects.
Increase climate education and awareness:
Bangladesh should invest in education and awareness-raising
initiatives to increase public understanding of climate change and to
build the capacity of communities to respond to its impacts.
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