The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reports that more than 70% of refugees and displaced people come from climate-vulnerable hotspots around the world. One of this hotspots is Bangladesh, with its low elevation and vulnerable geography, is a nation that finds itself at the forefront of this future crisis.Climate migration is slowly emerging as critical issue that require immediate attention.
Bangladesh, a country of 169.4 million people, is located in the world's largest delta, with the Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Meghna river systems flowing toward the Bay of Bengal. The country's low elevation makes it especially vulnerable to flooding and erosion, with as much as 75% of its land area affected by previous floods. Even in an average year, 18% of the country's landmass is inundated. The effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, are expected to displace millions of Bangladeshis and create a refugee crisis on an unprecedented scale.
The implications of Bangladesh's climate crisis extend beyond its borders, affecting not only its neighbors but the global community as a whole. With a rapidly growing population, the country's struggle to adapt to climate change will continue to have far-reaching implications for the international community.
The recent devastating floods in Pakistan have once again brought to light the urgent need to address the global crisis of climate change. With an estimated 20.6 million people, including 9.6 million children, in need of humanitarian assistance, it's clear that vulnerable populations are suffering the most. The 2004 floods in Bangladesh serve as another dark, not so recent but still relevant example of the catastrophic impact of flooding, with millions of people displaced and significant loss of life. Approximately 30 million Bangladeshis were left homeless that year, and 100,000 people alone in Dhaka suffered from diarrhea from the flood waters. 21st century events serve as stark reminders of the vulnerability of these nations.
Perhaps the most worrisome is the state of Bangladesh’s agriculture. A projected 20-30% decrease in crop yields by 2050, coupled with the fact that agriculture employs around 50% of the country's workforce, highlights the urgent need to address climate change in Bangladesh.
The issue of climate migration in Bangladesh presents a complex and nuanced balance of pros and cons. While the government and people have taken proactive steps towards climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness, such as the construction of cyclone shelters and floating gardens, they still face a multitude of challenges. The reliance on agriculture and water resources for livelihoods, which are highly exposed to climate and geophysical hazards, creates a constant state of vulnerability. This vulnerability is exacerbated by weak infrastructures and limited resilient measures. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the different climate and disaster risk scenarios to develop more effective measures for societal resilience in Bangladesh.
However, it is also important to acknowledge that some negative factors, such as small-scale flooding, have positive impacts on the agricultural industry. Natural flooding fertilizes fields and replaces costly artificial irrigation. The salt deposited on fields from high rates of evaporation is removed during floods, preventing the land from becoming infertile. This demonstrates that the issue of climate migration in Bangladesh is not just a matter of good versus bad, but rather a complex and interdependent system of pros and cons that must be analyzed and balanced carefully.
In conclusion, the threat of climate migration in Bangladesh due to the impacts of climate change is an urgent and complex issue that requires immediate attention. With a large portion of the population relying on agriculture and water resources, they are especially vulnerable to the effects of floods, rising sea levels, and salinization. However, despite the challenges, Bangladesh has taken a proactive approach to climate adaptation, with the government implementing policies and regulatory frameworks to build resilience and stimulate sustainable economic growth. The National Adaptation Plan of Bangladesh 2023-2050 sets out six national adaptation goals to achieve this vision, with a total investment of BDT 20,037 billion. For Bangladesh, it's not about climate mitigation anymore, but rather, about climate adaptation. As we move forward, it is essential to prioritize adaptation strategies that foster a robust society and ecosystems, as well as stimulate sustainable economic growth to ensure the well-being of future generations.