Climate Change effects in Bangladesh and Solution Ideas.
In recent times, main topic discussed in the world is environment and climate change. Bangladesh is at high risk of climate change. According to the Global climate risk index published in 2010 by the International research organization German Watch, Bangladesh ranks first among to top 10 countries affected by climate change.
The survey was conducted from 1990 to 2009 on 193 countries. Note that Bangladesh is the most affected country in the 2007 ad 2008 reports published by the organization.
What is Climate change?
Climate is the long term (at least 30 years) average of the elements of the weather or atmosphere in a region. Climate change refers to long term and meaningful changes in the average climate of a place over period of 30 years or more.
What does climate change happen?
Climate change depends on a many natural processes. In all natural processes climate change is one of them various dynamic process on earth.
Excess carbon emissions are considered to the main causes of climate change. Due to which global warming has been increasing at the significant rate for decades. Few country of the world specially industrialized country are responsible for the highest rate of carbon emission. But it effects every country in the world.
The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement calls for reduction in carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption, but no country has yet taken these issues seriously. In this poor and developing country are facing severe economic losses.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department 2010 (44,447 mm) the lowest rainfall in the last 15 years (after1994) is even less than (9000mm) in 2009.
Problems caused by climate change:
Increase in Salinity:
Due to decrease in rainfall, water flow in revers is not at normal level during dry season. As a result due to the huge pressure of the river water, the salt water of the sea is not trapped in the area as much as it should be. Due to low flow of water the salt water of the sea comes to the land. As a result salinity increased in large areas of the coastal region of the country like Khulna, Mongla, Coxes Bazar, Patuakhali etc.
Abnormal temperature:
Bangladesh is the known as a country with temperate temperature, but the unusual behavior of temperature in the last 5 years is fading that reputation.
According to bdnews24.com in April 2024 the highest temperature recorded in the country on 15th April Monday was 43⸰ Celsius in Pabna Ishwardi.
Note that According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2010 was the warmest year in the world last 250 years. And the period from 2001 to 2010 was the warmest period in the world.
Desertification:
Rainfall is decreasing day by day, floods are not happening on time. In 2008 the average rainfall in Rajshahi are was 1150mm. Such low rainfall is increasing day by day. As a result of this, the ground water level will drop and a large number of people will be affected by a drought.
According to some around 80 lakh people will be displaced by drought by 2050 due to climate change.
Lack of fresh water:
In march 2009 United Nation according to the report by the Inter-Governmental panel of climate change (IPCC) on the impact of climate change on water resources. There will be an acute shortage of fresh water in several coastal countries including Bangladesh. Depleting ground water levels have led to shortage of fresh water in many areas.
Natural Disasters:
Various natural disasters have increased in Bangladesh due to climate change. Among them the increase in the level of Cyclones, Floods, River erosion and Landslides is significant.
Even the list of British Research Organization “Maple Craft” Bangladesh ranks first among the 15 countries at risk due to natural disasters.
According to the report of German Watch (2010) an international research organization about 254 major disasters have hit Bangladesh from 1990 to 2009.
A United Nation Development Program (UNDP) report on “Disaster risk reduction program” has shown Bangladesh to be among the top South Asian countries in terms of Cyclone related risks, among other risks.
According to the research report about 33 people die every year in Cyclones in Bangladesh. As the intensity of these floods increases on the due to climate change.
Cyclone Sidar hit Bangladesh on 15th Nov 2007. Before leaving it’s sever impact followed by Cyclone Nargis on 2nd May 2008. Cyclone Reshmi on 26th Oct, Cyclone Khaimuk on 15th November, Cyclone Nisa on 17th November 2009. In April Cyclone Bizley and Cyclone Aila on 25th May that year.
A large number of coastal people are Bangladesh are still living a dehumanized life with wounds of that Cyclone.
Due to the frequent occurrence of Natural disasters due to Climate change, people are losing everything and become helpless. The Bangladesh Government also have to spend money to rehabilitate them. But not enough possible to do Government alone. In this situation foreign NGO and Donor Organization with Bangladeshi privet NGO can take necessary step an active role together.
Solution Ideas:
Prevention of deforestation and planting of trees:
One of the most important things in maintaining the balance of the environment is Oxygen. And we get it easily from trees. Currently we can see tree cutting is going on at an increasing rate. As a result, biodiversity is under threat. So we should plant trees regularly. Tree should be planted around the house, on the side of road, on both side of railways lines. Beside the Government privet NGO can play important role in this regards.
Reduction in use of fossil fuels:
Use of fossil fuels (Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas) should be reduced. It is highly polluting, releasing Greenhouse gases like Carbon Dioxide and Methane gas. Which play a major role in climate.
Reducing the use of Engine driven vehicles:
Effort should be made to reduce the use of engine driven vehicles as much as possible. Because it releases a lot of Carbon Monoxide gas. Which is very harmful to the human body and the environment.
Recycle:
To environment by putting things in a specific place instead of dumping them using chemical methods and making them usable again.
Creating Public awareness:
Regular meetings and seminars should be organized by Government and privet NGO’s at various palace. Including educational institutions, Public ground, Bus stop, Local Government institute, effect and actionable aspects of climate change. Awareness should be created among all. Thus we all have to work on climate change and play an effective role in building a beautiful world.