Climate Change in Bangladesh

 

Climate Change

 

What is Climate Change?

Climate change is the change of average weather in a particular region or area over a long period of time. Climate change is the long-term change of climate in a particular region or area. The earth's surface absorbs the sun's rays that fall on the earth every day. The absorbed sun rays are again radiated or reflected in space. This is the natural law of nature. Climate change occurs whenever there is an obstacle to this law of absorption and radiation of nature.

Climate Change in Bangladesh

The climate of Bangladesh has changed greatly in the recent years. It has a negative impact on the natural environment of this country. Bangladesh is a developing country. The Tropic of Cancer line has crossed the middle of Bangladesh. The country is largely dependent on geological features, weather and climate. More population pressures, people moving from villages to cities, higher demand on natural and energy resources, unplanned urbanization are all affecting the natural resources of this country. The negative effects of man-made activities are destroying the natural environment of this country seriously. Besides, as a result of global climate change, the people of Bangladesh are living a risky life today.

Causes of Climate Change

Climate change is mainly due to the increase in the average temperature of the earth. The average temperature of the earth rises for a number of reasons.  

Overuse of Fossil Fuels

People use fossil fuels excessively in mills and factories and vehicles.  Different types of fossil fuels — such as oil, gas, coal, etc. are used to run factories. The use of these fossil fuels is a major source of environmental pollution.

Emission of Industrial Smoke and Toxic Waste

Industrial fumes and toxic wastes pollute environment seriously. Industrialization, which is one of the main causes of environmental pollution increases global warming especially in the developing countries where modern technologies for waste management are insufficient. Exhaust fumes from vehicles such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and emission of carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide etc. are also two of many reasons for air pollution. Mills, factories powerhouses, automobiles produce a lot of smoke which pollutes environment greatly.

Tremendous Deforestation

Massive deforestation is caused by people. It is really due to urbanization and industrialization. Besides, deforestation is taking place to meet the growing demand for slum dwellers and to continue the supply of daily necessities. In order to meet the unlimited demand for fuel, houses, furniture, railway sleepers, sports equipment, ships and boats etc. trees are cut down indiscriminately. Man has been destroying immature trees in an unscientific manner to satisfy his own interests. As a result, the amount of forest is gradually declining. After all, it is mainly the unbridled greed and ignorance of human beings that is more responsible for deforestation.

Damage in Ozone Layer

CFCs damage the ozone layer which is a region in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation is protected by ozone layer of the environment. One of the main causes of global warming is ozone layer damage.

Excessive Use of Electronics

With the progress of civilization man use different types of artificial things. Various items (such as air conditioners) ready for human luxury living are polluting the environment. Man made electronics and other equipment cause great harm to natural environment.  

Earth's climate has changed in the past and will continue to change in the future, say climate scientists concerned.

 Global Impact on Climate Change

The most important of the challenges that the world will have to face in the coming decade is climate change and its adverse effects. Raising sea levels, food insecurity, rising hunger and poverty rates, declining the quality of agricultural products, cyclones, tidal surges, tornadoes, earthquakes, abnormal seasonal cycles, loss of biodiversity and ecology are the major threats to the animal species on earth. As a result of global warming, the natural climate of the earth's surface is changing. Polar ice is melting, sea levels are rising, and natural disasters are on the rise. The effects of global warming on the earth abolish dynamic structure and frame of ecology of the world and change the weather condition.

 Impact of Climate Change on Bangladesh

Climate change is affecting the natural environment in many ways around the world. In Bangladesh, too, the effects of climate change are threatening livelihoods. Significant effects of climate change such as excessive droughts, floods, deforestation, depletion of natural resources, etc. Climate change will have various negative effects on Bangladesh as well. The following are the effects of climate change on Bangladesh. As global temperatures rise every day, so does climate change. As a result of global warming, the characteristics of climate zones are also changing. As a result of these changes, great changes are being noticed in the flora and fauna.

Climate Refugees in Bangladesh

When people in a place are forced to leave their homes and move to other places permanently or temporarily due to various natural disasters or adverse conditions caused by climate change, they are called ‘Climate Refugees’. Although people in developing countries like Bangladesh are the victims, it is now happening in the developed countries of the West as well. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 21.5 million people have been displaced by climate change since 2010. Climate change adversely affects normal rainfall patterns, excess rainfall, droughts, droughts, floods, cyclones, wildfires and human settlements due to fires, rising sea levels, submergence of coastal houses and lands, and reduced water flow in rivers and canals in the country. Human society is now undergoing a climate crisis due to various reasons such as lack of irrigation water in crop lands due to rising salinity. An increasing number of people are becoming climate refugees. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC), five countries in the world have witnessed the highest number of displacements due to climate change in 2019. Bangladesh is one of them. The five countries in terms of displaced population are: India (50,18,000), Philippines (40,94,000), Bangladesh (40,86,000), China (40,34,000) and the United States (9,16,000). About Bangladesh, IDMC said that about seven lakh people are displaced in Bangladesh every year due to natural disasters.

 Threat to Agriculture

The biggest adversity or threat nowadays the people of Bangladesh face is climate change. The impact of climate change is being felt most in the agricultural sector. Over the last century, carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 23%, nitrous oxide emissions have increased by 19%, and methine emissions have increased by 100%. People of Bangladesh struggle hard with various adversities for their survival. Bangladesh is the most vulnerable to this change. Due to the coastal geographical location, overpopulated population, inadequate natural resources and over-dependence on it etc. Bangladesh is in dire straits. The fertility of agricultural land is decreasing. Bangladesh lacks arable land because of climate change.

Rising Sea Levels

One of the dire consequences of global warming is rising sea levels. As the temperature rises, the frozen barrier in the polar region is melting the ice, raising the sea level. This is likely to submerge the coastal lowlands. Global warming 10 sec. Scientists have warned that if it increases, 11% of Bangladesh's land will be submerged in the sea.

Desertification

As global warming and climate change have the potential to submerge sea level land, many areas will be transformed into deserts. As a result, agriculture and forest lands will be endangered. 4. Drought in large parts of the country, including the north,

Increase in Natural Disasters

Global warming and climate change are increasing sea storms and tidal surges. The magnitude of the disaster and the level of damage due to temperature changes are increasing compared to the past.

Biodiversity Destruction

When the climate changes, the normal life of the animals is disrupted. Biodiversity is under serious threat. Many species have become extinct or are on the verge of extinction as a result of rising temperatures, deforestation and disasters. The biggest example of the country's unique ecosystem is the Sundarbans, where biodiversity can be threatened seriously.

Decrease in River Flow

As a result of warming, river water flow is decreasing and as a result sediment is dying in the river. As a result, the normal flow of rivers is being disrupted.

Flood-Drought Increase

 As flash floods increase due to mountain slopes, so does flood stability. Floods are prolonged due to inability of water to be removed due to disruption of river flow. Again, just as heavy rains are causing floods, droughts are also causing droughts.

Increasing Salinity

Salinity is increasing in coastal lands and it causes extinction of fish and livestock such as fish species in this area. It is an alarming report that the amount of salinity will increase if new areas in the south are flooded due to rising sea level due to climate change. About 13% of the agricultural land in the coastal districts of Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira in the south-west of Bangladesh is already saline. It is expected to reach 16% by 2050 and 16% by 2100. Therefore, it can be said that the rise in sea level will affect Bangladesh in many ways and will create a crisis situation.

Abnormal Floods and Reducing River Flow

Floods are a normal occurrence in the climate of Bangladesh. Floods, on the one hand, do harm as well as benefit. But in recent times, climate change has led to frequent and prolonged floods. For example, floods visited Bangladesh in 1984, 1985, 1995, 1996 and 2007 were catastrophic and caused extensive loss of life and property. Besides, flood situation can be observed in different districts of the central part of the country including Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Sunamganj in 2017. If this trend of floods continues, it will have a long-term effect on the economy. It is also said by the researchers that the flow of river water in this country will be reduced a lot and it has already appeared in many rivers. Many rivers are active only during the monsoon and the water flow is reduced during the dry season.

Other Effects of Weather Change

The effect of climate change leads to higher temperature rise, falling groundwater level, crisis of clean drinking water etc. In addition, heavy rains, floods, urban waterlogging, deforestation and many other problems are related to climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate steps to protect the natural environment of this country and to save the life of plants and animals and to control the negative   effects of climate disorder by keeping people aware.

 Prevention of the Effect of Climate Change

What to do to prevent global warming and climate change: Global warming and climate change pose a threat to the very existence of the human race. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries that are affected by climate change. This is not possible for Bangladesh alone. In the interest of the human race, everyone must come forward together to prevent global warming. Here is what to do:

(i)  Extensive afforestation is required. Adequate trees should be planted in coastal areas and open spaces.

(ii) Unnecessary deforestation must be prevented. If a tree is cut down as per the need, it should be made compulsory to plant at least 5 trees.

(iii) Emissions of harmful gases to help increase the temperature of the atmosphere must be stopped.

(iv) Increase the use of environmentally friendly and renewable fuels.

(v) Measures have to be taken to close such industrial factories at the expense of the environment. Arrangements have to be made to treat the waste in the industrial waste treatment plant.

(vi) We have to build a social movement to protect the environment. In this case, everyone must come forward with a view to solving the problem.

Conclusion

Although mankind is at the peak of its development, it is on the verge of destruction due to global warming. This condition is basically man-made. At present it has assumed horrible shapes. It must be confessed that this problem leads to the great damage of the present civilization if the ecological balance is not confirmed. So, we have to come forward now to prevent climate change and global warming. It is imperative to make the people aware at all levels to protect Bangladesh from the potential dangers of climate change.

Written by 

Md. Monzurul Islam

B.A (Honours) M. A (English)

Assistant Professor of English &

 Vice Principal 

Dr. Abdur Razzak Municipal College, Jashore 

Email: amonzuruljb@gmail.com