Cyclone Remal has severely impacted the coastal areas of Bangladesh, putting over 8.4 million people at risk in terms of health, nutrition, sanitation, and security, including 3.2 million children. The state minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Mohibbur Rahman, reported that the cyclone caused damages amounting to Tk6,880 crore across 20 districts. Cyclone Remal struck on May 26, leading to floods in several coastal regions, submerging these areas in water. Additionally, 16 lives were lost, and numerous roads, embankments, houses, and social institutions were damaged.
In recent years, Bangladesh has faced frequent natural disasters such as cyclones, tidal waves, and floods. Climate scientists warn that these recurring natural disasters signal a dire future for Bangladesh if planned measures are not implemented. Despite contributing less than 1% of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, Bangladesh ranks among the highest in climate change risk.
The impact of climate change has been evident in Bangladesh for two decades. Due to its geography, Bangladesh has always been prone to disasters, and global warming has exacerbated the severity of these events. Natural disasters such as extreme heat, sea cyclones, floods, droughts, salinity in coastal areas, river erosion, and lightning have increased alarmingly, disrupting normal life.
According to the Global Climate Index 2021 report, Bangladesh has experienced 185 climate change-related disasters in the last 20 years, including floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and landslides, resulting in 11,450 fatalities and an economic loss of $372 million.
A report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that unless global temperatures are reduced immediately, the world will soon face severe consequences and Bangladesh is already grappling with significant problems due to global climate change.
Environmentalists have long warned that Bangladesh will be heavily impacted by climate change and rising sea levels. Various natural resources in Bangladesh are gradually depleting due to climate change, leading to the extinction of many species, including trees, fish, birds, flowers, and fruits. According to Unescos report, 75% of the Sundarbans could be destroyed due to global climate change factors, including sea level rise.
Bangladesh, an agriculture-based country once characterized by six distinct seasons with suitable temperatures for farming, is now facing drastic changes in rainfall and temperature patterns due to climate change. This has led to the disappearance of traditional seasons and poses significant threats to agriculture.
Problems such as irregular and insufficient rainfall, inadequate irrigation water, unpredictable monsoon seasons, coastal flooding, rising sea levels, and saline water intrusion threaten the future of Bangladesh's agriculture. Climate change will also impact livelihoods dependent on the natural environment, leading to increased unemployment.
The IPCC report predicts that by 2050, the annual average temperature in Bangladesh will rise by 1.4 degrees Celsius compared to the present. The increase in winter temperatures will be higher than that in the monsoon season, leading to milder winters and hotter summers. This could reduce the country's six seasons to just four distinct ones.
According to a World Bank report, by 2050, 13.3 million people in Bangladesh's coastal areas will be displaced due to climate change, and 10 million people have already become climate refugees. This displacement is caused by rising sea levels, increased river salinity, and more frequent natural disasters such as river erosion and storm surges. Every year, 400,000 people leave rural areas for cities, with 70% of them being climate refugees.
Who is responsible for the extensive damage Bangladesh faces due to climate change? Environmentalists point to China and the United States as the largest carbon emitters, accounting for about 50% of global emissions. They are followed by Russia, India, Germany, Brazil, and other industrialized nations, with Australia being the largest per capita emitter. In contrast, Bangladesh's carbon emission rate is very low, at only about 0.2%. Despite this, Bangladesh is among the countries most affected by climate change.
Bangladesh ranks seventh among the 10 countries most affected by climate change. This crisis is primarily due to the carbon emissions of developed countries over the past two centuries of industrialization. Developed nations had agreed to provide financial compensation to affected countries, but they have not fulfilled their promises. Instead of compensation, they are offering loans with various terms, which is simply unfair. Bangladesh needs $12bn by 2025 to combat climate damage, but has received only $1,1bn from climate funds, with ADB providing a loan of $400m in 2023.
Bangladesh is already grappling with various economic crises, including depleting reserves, inflation, and unemployment. Adding to these challenges, the burden of debt is increasing, prolonging our economic difficulties. For around 200 years, Western countries have contributed to global warming by emitting carbon for their development, yet we are being made to shoulder the responsibility for the resulting damage.
Despite the commitments made in the Paris Agreement, these countries continue to exacerbate global warming. By shifting the responsibility of covering the damage onto us, they are worsening our debt burden. To handle future climate change challenges, we need grants, not loans. Developed countries, which are historically responsible for global warming, must compensate. We should not be saddled with debt.
