Nine million people could be displaced in Bangladesh by 2050 due to rising sea levels
About 0.9 million people in southern Bangladesh could be displaced by 2050 as sea level rise threatens the homes and livelihoods of coastal people.
The International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCAD) said in a recently released report that the situation could worsen by the end of this century, with 12 to 18 percent of Bangladesh’s coastal area threatened by rising sea levels.
A report on the impact of climate change in Bangladesh said it could have dire consequences for essential food grains and force more people to leave their homes. Currently, the estimated annual average loss due to cyclones is $1 billion, which is 0.7 percent of GDP.
Saber H Chowdhury, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOWR), Bangladesh, was quoted as saying in the report,
“Due to the geographical location of our country, we are witnessing issues like floods, depletion of water sources, rise in sea level and rise in salinity.”
According to the World Bank, millions of people may be displaced due to these reasons. Perhaps one-seventh of the population may face displacement.
If the sea level rises, it is feared that the rice production of the country will decrease by 6 to 9 percent. Rising salinity is expected to disrupt fisheries, affecting the livelihoods of poor coastal people. Fish is also one of the most important sources of meat for them.
Saline water can also seep into groundwater and surface water sources, affecting drinking water supplies and human health.
Professor AKM Saiful Islam, Director of Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), BUET, said, “Sea level will continue to rise around South Asia in the 21st century, increasing flooding in low-lying areas of Bangladesh.” It will destroy important food crops, forcing more people to leave their homes.’
The increasing impact of climate change in Bangladesh highlights the urgent need for international action against climate change.
According to the report, government adaptation policies and local initiatives have saved many lives and avoided the worst effects of climate change so far.
