Bangladesh’s Struggle with Climate Change Impacts
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the world. It ranks seventh on the 2021 World Climate Risk Index, which means it is among the countries most affected by extreme weather events.
Bangladesh has a long coastline of about 580 km, and most of its land is less than 10 meters above sea level. This makes it prone to coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, storm surges, and flooding. According to some estimates, by 2050, one in seven people in Bangladesh will be displaced by climate change.
Bangladesh experiences frequent and intense cyclones, floods, droughts, and heat waves that cause loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. For example, in 2020, Cyclone Amphan affected more than 10 million people and caused damages worth $1.5 billion.
Bangladesh depends heavily on agriculture, fisheries, and livestock for its food security, but these sectors are susceptible to climate change. Changes in temperature, rainfall, soil moisture, and salinity affect crop yields, fish stocks, and animal health. Climate change also affects the availability and quality of freshwater resources, especially in coastal areas where salinity intrusion is a major problem.
Despite these challenges, Bangladesh is not a passive victim of climate change. It is a global leader in…
