From vulnerability to resilience -
Bangladesh confronting climate challenges
Road to Bali Issue (5) December 2007

CLIMATE EXTREMES IMPACT BANGLADESH AGAIN AND AGAIN

Between this special Road to Bali issue and our last edition (July 2007), Bangladesh has experienced some of the worst climate bringing untold suffering to millions of people. As we go to the press (30 November 2007), newspapers and media continue reporting headlines and coverage on the aftermath of the cyclone SIDR which leveled human settlement and infrastructure to the ground along the coastal districts, leaving a trail of destruction along its path.

Rapid global warming has caused fundamental changes to our climate. No country and people know this better than Bangladesh, where millions of people are already suffering. Sudden, severe and catastrophic floods have intensified and taking place more frequently owing to increased rainfall in the monsoon. Over the last ten years, Bangladesh has been ravaged by floods of catastrophic proportion in 1998, 2004 and 2007. Heavy downpour over short spell has resulted in landslides. Cold spell claims human lives as well as damage crops. Droughts often affect even coastal districts. Bad weather keeps the coastal waters risky for fishing expeditions. Damages and losses due to climatic extremes like floods, cyclones, tornados, droughts are phenomenal to the victims as well as the state.

These are early signs of global warming effects. Sea level rise in the coming decades will create over 25 million climate refugees. This is larger than entire populations of many countries.

Bangladesh must move on in its pursuit to develop and strive as a nation, taking into account its vulnerability, susceptibility and capacity to manage climate risks and adaptation. In this respect, the government has taken bold steps to prepare and respond to the challenge already on us. To help the country and its people build necessary capacity and resilience, regional and international cooperation is essential. Major rivers that draws freshwater and sediment from upstream basin to the Bay of Bengal going through Bangladesh originate in neighboring countries and water flow during both summer and dry period is critical for agriculture and food and drinking water security. Collective actions are necessary now to understand risks and take actions. International efforts in planning responses to climate change must act urgently to avoid what is unmanageable and manage the unavoidable. The case of Bangladesh, one of the first and major victims of human induced global warming and climate change, should be taken seriously and addressed collectively.