Bangladesh and global warming
Unfortunately countries
like Bangladesh which is the least responsible
for the phenomenon are suffering the most
According to experts, the next decade will see a rise in the sea level leading to increasing incidences of floods and cyclones. This is most alarming news for a country which is regularly ravaged by natural disasters. In this newspaper we have often pointed out the fact that global warming and climate change in general poses a major threat to Bangladesh. Scientists have predicted that by 2050 Bangladesh could go under the sea.
The delta falls between the Himalayas in the north and the Bay of Bengal to the south and is most vulnerable to natural disasters due to the frequency of extreme climatic events and the high population density. Bangladesh will definitely be affected by devastating floods, melting glaciers in the Himalayas and cyclones that originate in the Bay of Bengal, as well as water contamination and ecosystem destruction caused by rising sea levels.
The rise in sea level will destroy normal characteristics of coastal soil and water. It would change the location of the river estuary and would cause a great change in fish habitat and breeding ground.
The catastrophes will not be limited to destruction of life and property but also another greater tragedy in the form of environmental refugees. A 30-45cm sea-level rise will force the migration of about 35 million people living in coastal regions. Many of them will migrate to Dhaka, and other urban localities to eke out a meagre living.
Climate change is definitely real and happening. Ironically Bangladesh contributes less than one per cent of the worlds green house gas emission that is mostly responsible for global warming. Unfortunately, countries like Bangladesh which is the least responsible for the phenomenon are suffering the most. The developing countries which emit the most green house gases do have a responsibility to help Bangladesh in its fights against the disastrous impact of climate change.
As it is impossible for Bangladesh to stop climate change in tracks the solution lies in adaptation. Bangladeshis have proved time and again that they are a determined and resilient people. The government has also taken up the matter seriously. Already the government has invested 10 million taka to build cyclone shelters and create a storm early-warning system. Earlier this year, it allocated another $50 million to the countrys agriculture and health budgets to help climate-proof certain development sectors. Local community should be motivated to be involved and the local government should value their involvement in adaptation against climate change.
