The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh is recognised worldwide as one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This is due to unique geographic location, dominance of floodplains, low elevation from the sea, high population density, high levels pf poverty, and overwhelming dependence on nature, its resources and services. Rapid global warming has caused fundamental changes to our climate. Millions of people of our country are suffering from this change in climate.

Some natural hazards that has vulnerability in Bangladesh due to changes in climate includes- floods, landslides, drought, cyclones, tornadoes, heavy coldness, sea level rising and many more devastating occurrences. Sudden, severe and catastrophic floods have intensified and taking place more frequently owing to rainfall in the monsoon.

Heavy downpour over short spell has resulted in landslides. Cold spell claims human lives as well as damage crops. Drought often affects most part of our country. Extreme cyclones and tornadoes are causing loss of life and property in each year. Global warming and climate change threatens settlements and the number of people displaced from their land due to riverbank erosion, permanent inundation and sea level rise is increasing rapidly every year.

Climate change impacts are already adding significant stress to our physical and environmental resources, our human ability, and economic activities. The impacts of observed changes are felt in the following sectors: Water resources; Agriculture & forestry; Industry & energy; Human health; Livelihoods; Food security and Habitat or settlement security.

The government considers climate change as a priority concern and is committed to take urgent and long term actions to reduce the vulnerability of its people. Thus for a better environment for the present and future generations, we must be aware about the impacts of climate change and should take effective steps for reducing the loss from changes in climate.

Manir Hossain

Santosh, Tangail