Growing impacts of climate change

This is not a far away phenomenon, climate change is already changing Bangladesh. Every part of this life is being changed: from its agriculture, its coastline. Let us take a closer look at the myriad ways in which climate change is affecting this populous, resource scarce nation.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the Bangladesh economy and the largest employer of the people. Yet, this sector is the most impacted by climate change. Examples of these challenges include unpredictable rainfall, heat waves, floods changing weather patterns are shuffling the farming calendar. Wet and dry outbreaks have caused flooding of crops and farmlands, or irrigation shortages in the case of extended dry spells. Rainfall has become unpredictable and weather extremes have devastatingly wiped out residual crop yields. This puts food security in jeopardy as the nation is more dependent on agriculture for both food and fiscal stability than ever before.

Perhaps the most climate change susceptible part of Bangladesh, are the coastal areas. Lowland areas in these regions have started being submerged due to an increase in sea level.–“Sea level rise beginning to swamp low-lying areas of these regions” This is causing rise in soil salinity, which hinders crop cultivation and freshwater resources are becoming scarce. On top of this, regular cyclones and tidal surges have rendered communities homeless and helpless. Akin to a natural catastrophe, coastal erosion is erasing whole villages and all the heritage they contain. These locations are home to millions of people, now climate refugees as their homes and means of subsistence dissolve into the sea.

The latest shocking consequence of climate change: people dying in big numbers from that climate change is getting worse and worse, and that constellation of deadly health effects it delivers. The warmer and more humid climate provides ideal conditions for breeding and spread of water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid. Moreover, erratic rains and more standing water have also exacerbated the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. The extreme heatwaves, particularly in cities like Dhaka, are now unbearable for the urban poor and the elderly. Demand for care has gone up and the stretched-thin healthcare system is struggling to keep up. The health sector is not out of the woods yet, but only time will tell.

Solutions: Reimagining Bangladesh’s Future

The challenges of climate change are daunting but not insurmountable, with solutions that go beyond policy alone, as citizens, businesses, and government are all part of the answer. This is how Bangladesh can live up to the call of the hour and lead towards a new sustainable future.

Switching to renewable energy is one of the most powerful tools Bangladesh has to fight climate change. In particular, solar has great promise. Given the abundance of sunlight in the country, it would be especially useful to provide rural communities with energy access using solar energy. Increasing the use of solar energy, at both the individual and industrial scales, can help Bangladesh lessen its dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate emissions, and increase access to energy for people, communities, and areas with an energy deficit. By expanding or increasing both wind and biomass energy, the energy portfolio of the country is diversified, making it more resistant to energy shortage and volatility of prices in the world market.

The easiest and most straight-forward way to fight against climate change is to plant trees. Due to rapid urbanisation and forest destruction, Bangladesh needs large scale afforestation. Not only does it absorb carbon dioxide and help alleviate global warming, but it also protects from flooding and prevents soil erosion. Mangrove forests: protect land from storm surges and erosion in coastal zones Efforts from the government, local communities and NGOs should be stepped up in order to enhance green cover in the most vulnerable regions, which will provide sustained benefits in terms of environment.

Bangladesh needs to develop climate-resilient agriculture which is adaptable to climate change. It includes the use of crops with water stress resistance, enhanced irrigation systems, as well as sustainable agricultural methods with reduced environmental interactions. Methods such as rain water harvest and organic fertilizers can restore the health of the soils and keep the productivity intact. In addition, the need to equip farmers with climate-smart farming practices and options to manage things accordingly has to be fulfilled so that agriculture continues to survive under the mission of climate change.

Start of awareness and habits: One of the most fundamental points of combating climate change Citizens must realize how serious this is and how to make it different. Climate education should be spearheaded among schools, universities, media, and social platforms. Individual actions like consuming less, conserving water and using energy-efficient devices can bring about substantial cumulative results. The government should also spend on public awareness campaigns that demonstrate climate science well and conversation as a subject against science.

Smooth transition: Global action on climate change This is a global challenge which demands a global solution. Bangladesh will require extensive coordination with other countries, especially developed ones, to obtain climate finance and technology forcefully. The Paris Agreement provides such a framework for cooperation, in which countries have committed to remain well below 2°C of global warming. Developed countries need to deliver on their promises and provide support to developing countries like Bangladesh, a country who is already suffering at the hands of climate change. Third, in global contexts, Bangladesh must take part in global conversations, a body responsible for coming up with this set of solutions for a more resilient planet.

Bangladesh faces a near impossible climate crisis though it also stands to gain from radical change. Working together in creative and bold ways, through renewable energy, afforestation, climate-resilient agriculture, and enhanced awareness, the nation can get on track for a sustainable future. Not just getting by on the adverse effects of climate change, but doing great in the new inclusive green economy. Bangladesh could lead on climate adaptation, a pioneer for other countries that have losses and damages they cannot avoid. United, we can transform change’s wasteland into a stream of hope. Now is the time to do something for the only planet we are ever going to have and for future generations.

Md Shihab Uddin

Volunteer, UNICEF Bangladesh

The author is an independent researcher and a student of Folklore and Social Development Studies at the University of Rajshahi.He may be contacted at shihab.fsds@gmail.com