Saving Lives and Resources

Impact of Climate Change on

Coastal Area in Bangladesh



Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology


A Report on

Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Area in Bangladesh:
Saving Lives and Resources





Prepared By
Sadia Anjum Tisha (201116014)
Makduma Zahan Badhan (201116015)
Shazzadur Rahman (201116016)
Abir Mohammad (201116017)
Md. Nazmus Sakib (201116018)
Abu Bakar Siddique (201116019)

Submitted To
Md. Murshikul Alam
Head of Department, Department of Humanities
Md. Abdur Rouf
Lecturer, Department of Humanities

February 22, 2014
Forwarding Letter

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February 22, 2014
Md. Murshikul Alam
Md. Abdur Rouf
Department of Humanities,
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology,
Dhaka.

Dear Sir

It is an honor and pleasure to submit our report entitled Impact of Climate Change on Coastal
Area in Bangladesh: Saving Lives and Resources to your supremacy. We would like to
express our gratitude towards you for your kind support and encouragement.

We all are aware of the fact that Bangladesh ranks first as the nation most vulnerable to the
impacts of climate change in the coming decades. While preparing the report we found that in
coastal areas the effect is going to be the worst. In this report, we tried our level best to point out
the present situation of coastal areas of Bangladesh due to climate change. We pointed out the
causes behind it, and also the indicators of the change, both human and nature based. We also
tried to point out the required mitigation policies to fight the climate change. With necessary
illustrations, figures and statistics, we hope that you will find this report purposeful. We believe,
this report will provide a basic thinking on saving the lives and resources of people living in
coastal areas of Bangladesh from the danger of climate change.

We apologize for any unintentional mistake in the report due to time constraint. We hope you
will kindly consider those.

Yours sincerely,

Sadia Anjum Tisha (201116014)
Makduma Zahan Badhan (201116015)
Shazzadur Rahman (201116016)
Abir Mohammad (201116017)
Md. Nazmus Sakib (201116018)
Abu Bakar Siddique (201116019)

Level-2, Term-1
Department of Water Resources Engineering.
Table of Contents

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Topic Page Number
Forwarding Letter i

Table of Contents ii-iii

List of Illustrations iv

Abstract v

1. Introduction 1

2. Discussion 1
2.1. Causes of Climate Change 1
2.1.1. Natural Causes 1
2.1.1.1. Ocean Current 1
2.1.1.2. Life 2
2.1.1.3. The Earths Orbital Variations 2
2.1.1.4. Volcanism 2
2.1.1.5. Plate Tectonics 2
2.1.2. Human Causes 2
2.1.2.1. Carbon dioxide 3
2.1.2.2. Methane 3
2.1.2.3. Nitrous oxide 4
2.2. Indicators of Climate Change 4
2.2.1. Rise in Temperature 4
2.2.2. Rise in Sea Level 5
2.2.3. Seasonal Variation 5
2.2.4. Salinity Intrusion 5
2.2.5. Typhoons and Storm Surge 6
2.2.6. Water Acidification 7
2.3. Consequences 7
2.3.1. Loss of Lives 7
2.3.2. Consequence on Fisheries 8

Table of Contents

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Topic Page Number

2.3.3. Consequence on Agriculture 9
2.3.4. Consequence on Health 10
2.3.5. Scarcity of Fresh Water Availability 10
2.3.6. Consequence on Water Resources and Hydrology 10
2.3.7. Consequence on Biodiversity 10
2.3.8. Coral Bleaching 11
2.4. Saving Lives and Resources 11
2.4. 1. Adaptation Measures 11
2.4.2. Precautionary Measures 12
2.4.2.1. Raising Awareness 12
2.4.2.2. Changes of Attitude of the People
and the Government 13
2.4.2.3. Long-term Strategy 13
2.4.2.4. Activation of Kyoto Protocol and
Other International Negotiations 13
2.4.2.5. Initiative of Research and
Development Programs 13
2.4.2.6. Training and Educational Programs 13

3. Conclusion 14

4. Recommendations 14

5. Appendix 15
5(A) Questionnaire 15
5(B) Abbreviations 16
6. List of References 17

7. Glossary 18
List of Illustrations

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Name of the Figure Page Number

Figure-1: A figure showing how the Greenhouse Effect is created 3
Figure -2: Global fossil carbon emissions since the year 1800 3
Figure -3: Rise of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide
and methane in atmosphere 4
Figure -4: Global rise in temperature 4
Figure -5: Rise in temperature with rise in CO2 4
Figure -6: Sea level rise due to global warming 5
Figure -7: The possible impacts of salinity in river water 6
Figure -8: Number of cyclones over the year 6
Figure -9: Biological and physical pumps of carbon dioxide 7

Table-1: Some notable flood and cyclone induced storm surge
events and losses 8
Figure -10: Casual loop diagram of sea level rise impacts on
coastal fisheries sector 9
Table-2: Declining rice production because of soil degradation 9
Figure -11: Sunderbans after cyclone SIDR in 2007 11
Abstract

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This report reviews the climate change impacts on the coastal zone of Bangladesh, on the basis
of available secondary sources. The resources includes books, government reports, international
reports, scientific journals, maps and news articles that highlighted sea level rise related issues in
Bangladesh. Some studies of the same field in other parts of the globe were also considered for
the task. The report tries to seek for both qualitative and quantitative impacts and also tries to
find out some solutions that would help Bangladesh to adapt to the problems. Both livelihood
options of coastal communities and the natural environment of the coastal zone will be affected
by the anticipated climate change. It will also affect national and food security of the country.
Mitigation and adaptation are two options to minimize the impacts. A combined effort of
Bangladesh Government, Bangladeshs people and International communities is emerging need
for survival.


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1. Introduction:
Climate change is an important issue nowadays. Various human activities are making the world
hot to hotter. The ultimate result is global warming, i.e. climate change. Rising temperature in
the atmosphere causes sea level rise and affects low lying coastal areas and deltas of the world.
In 1990, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that with a business-as-usual
scenario of greenhouse gas emission, the world would be 3.30C warmer by the end of the next
century, with a range of uncertainty of 2.2C to 4.9C. With rise in temperature, sea level will
rise because of thermal expansion and ice melt.
Sea level rise has various impacts on Bangladesh, a coastal country facing 710 km long coast to
the Bay of Bengal. It already has affected Bangladesh by land erosion, salinity intrusion and loss
in biodiversity. Its potential threats are coming even strongly in the future. Sea level rise will
cause river bank erosion, salinity intrusion, flood, damage to infrastructures, crop failure,
fisheries destruction, loss of biodiversity, etc. along this coast.
Adaptation and mitigation are two options for Bangladesh. Of which the first one is country
specific, or even local specific, but mitigation demands collective efforts of global communities.
Development of adaptation policies for different sectors will help Bangladesh to face the crucial
hazards of sea level rise. Lobby in the international communities will be helpful to mitigate CO2
emissions, which is responsible for global warming and sea level rise. Proper mitigation plan and
formulating adaptation policies are emerging need to minimize sea level rise impacts on the
country.

2. Discussion:
Climate change has been a major issue in recent days. Increased pollution and other factors have
increased the change in a radical rate. Our coastal area has become most vulnerable because of
these changes in climate. Many short term and long term measures have been taken to reduce the
loss of lives and resources.

2.1. Causes of Climate Change:
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather
patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average
weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions.

2.1.1. Natural Causes:

2.1.1.1. Ocean Current:
The oceans are a major component of the climate system. They cover about 71% of the Earth and
absorb about twice as much of the sun's radiation as the atmosphere or the land surface. On
longer time scales, alterations to ocean processes such as thermohaline circulation play a key role
in redistributing heat by carrying out a very slow and extremely deep movement of water and the
long-term redistribution of heat in the world's oceans.




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2.1.1.2. Life:
Life affects climate through its role in the carbon and water cycles and such mechanisms as
albedo, evapotranspiration, cloud formation, and weathering. Examples of how life may have
affected past climate include: glaciation 2.3 billion years ago triggered by the evolution of
oxygenic photosynthesis,

glaciation 300 million years ago ushered in by long-term burial of
decomposition-resistant detritus of vascular land plants (forming coal) termination of the
Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum 55 million years ago by flourishing marine phytoplankton,
reversal of global warming 49 million years ago by 800,000 years of arctic azolla blooms, and
global cooling over the past 40 million years driven by the expansion of grass-grazer.

2.1.1.3. The Earths Orbital Variations:
The earth makes one full orbit around the sun each year. It is tilted at an angle of 23.5 to the
perpendicular plane of its orbital path. For one half of the year when it is summer, the northern
hemisphere tilts towards the sun. In the other half when it is winter, the earth is tilted away from
the sun. If there was no tilt we would not have experienced seasons. Changes in the tilt of the
earth can affect the severity of the seasons - more tilt means warmer summers and colder
winters; less tilt means cooler summers and milder winters.

2.1.1.4. Volcanism:
Volcanic eruptions release gases and particulates into the atmosphere. Eruptions large enough to
affect climate occur on average several times per century, and cause cooling (by partially
blocking the transmission of solar radiation to the Earth's surface) for a period of a few years.
The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th
century (after the 1912 eruption of Novarupta) affected the climate substantially. Global
temperatures decreased by about 0.5C (0.9F). The eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 caused
the Year Without a Summer.

2.1.1.5. Plate Tectonics:
Over the course of millions of years, the motion of tectonic plates reconfigures global land and
ocean areas and generates topography. This can affect both global and local patterns of climate
and atmosphere-ocean circulation.

2.1.2. Human Causes:
Anthropogenic factors are human activities which affect the climate. The term climate change
has become synonymous with anthropogenic global warming. The primary human activity
affecting the amount and rate of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of
fossil fuels. The most important Greenhouse Gases directly emitted by humans include CO2,
Methane(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and several others.


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Figure-1: A figure showing how the Greenhouse Effect is created

2.1.2.1. Carbon dioxide:
Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas that is contributing to recent climate change. CO2
is absorbed and emitted naturally as part of the carbon cycle, through animal and plant
respiration, volcanic eruptions, and ocean-atmosphere exchange. Human activities, such as the
burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use, release large amounts of carbon to the
atmosphere, causing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere to rise.

Figure -2: Global fossil carbon emissions since the year 1800

2.1.2.2. Methane:
Methane is produced through both natural and human activities like natural wetlands,
agricultural activities, and fossil fuel extraction and transport all emit CH4. Methane is more
abundant in Earths atmosphere now than at any time in at least the past 650,000 years. Due to
human activities, CH4 concentrations increased sharply during most of the 20th century and are
now more than two-and-a-half times pre-industrial levels. In recent decades, the rate of increase


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has slowed considerably.

2.1.2.3. Nitrous oxide:
Nitrous oxide is produced through natural and human activities, mainly through agricultural
activities and natural biological processes. Fuel burning and some other processes also create
N2O. Concentrations of N2O have risen approximately 18% since the start of the Industrial
Revolution.

Figure -3: Rise of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in atmosphere

Bangladesh is the most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change over the next 30
years, according to calculations by the British global risks analysis company Maplecroft. This is
based on the analysis of impacts of major climate events that occurred around the world in the
twenty-year period since 1990. The reasons are complex and extremely intertwined.

2.2. Indicators of Climate Change:
2.2.1. Rise in Temperature:
As climate change has warmed the Earth, oceans have responded more slowly than land
environments. But scientific research is finding that marine ecosystems can be far more sensitive
to even the most modest temperature change.
Global warming caused by human activities that emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide has raised the
average global temperature by about 1F (0.6C) over the past century. In the oceans, this change
has only been about 0.18F (0.1C). This warming has occurred from the surface to a depth of
about 2,300 feet (700 meters), where most marine life thrives.

Figure -4: Global rise in temperature Figure -5: Rise in temperature with rise in CO2


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Perhaps the ocean organism most vulnerable to temperature change is coral reefs. There is
evidence that reefs will bleach (eject their symbiotic algae) at even a slight persistent temperature
rise. Bleaching slows coral growth, makes them susceptible to disease, and can lead to large-
scale reef die-off.

2.2.2. Rise in Sea Level:
When water heats up, it expands. Thus, the most readily apparent consequence of higher sea
temperatures is a rapid rise in sea level. Sea level rise causes inundation of coastal habitats for
humans as well as plants and animals, shoreline erosion, and more powerful storm surges that
can devastate low-lying areas.

Figure -6: Sea level rise due to global warming

2.2.3. Seasonal Variation:
Bangladesh is one of the most victimized countries of the world due to the Climate Change. Six
seasons of Bangladesh now turns three seasons- Summer, Rainy and Winter. But those three
does not continue to function with as usual rules - during summer it is so hot, during winter it is
unbearable cold. Cold is regularly breaking old record and making new records. There is
possibility that people of Bangladesh will see snowing soon. There trend of long duration of the
cold in winter and too warm in summer season. But rain is coming in undue time and most of the
time it lasts for short time. As a results; peasants start Amon paddy plant so late. Seasonal
variation has many hazardous impacts on the coastal area of our country, which can be briefly
listed as:

2.2.4. Salinity Intrusion:
Salinity intrusion refers to the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, which can lead
to contamination of drinking water sources and other consequences. Saline intrusion occurs
naturally to some extent in most coastal aquifers, due to the hydraulic connection between
seawater and groundwater. As saltwater has a higher mineral content than freshwater, it is denser
and has a higher water pressure. So, saltwater can push inland beneath the freshwater and
contaminate it easily.


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Figure -7: The possible impacts of salinity in river water

2.2.5. Typhoons and Storm Surge:
Typhoons are tropical revolving storms. They are called `Cyclones' in English, when they occur
in the Indian Ocean area. The coastal regions of Bangladesh are subject to damaging cyclones
almost every year, generally in early summer (April-May) or late rainy season (October-
November). Cyclones originate from low atmospheric pressures over the Bay of Bengal.

The stress exerted by wind on water underneath is proportional to the square of the wind
velocity. Thus an increase of it due to climate change will lead to higher risk of tropical storms in
low-lying coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Figure -8: Number of cyclones over the year

A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system,
typically tropical cyclones and strong extra tropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily


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by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than
the ordinary sea level. In Bangladesh, storm surge heights in excess of 10 m are not uncommon.

2.2.6. Water Acidification:
Water acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake
of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) from the atmosphere. An estimated 3040% of the carbon dioxide
released by humans into the atmosphere dissolves into oceans, rivers and lakes. To achieve
chemical equilibrium, some of it reacts with the water to form carbonic acid. Some of these extra
carbonic acid molecules react with a water molecule to give a bicarbonate ion and a hydronium
ion, thus increasing ocean "acidity" (H
+
ion concentration).

Figure -9: Biological and physical pumps of carbon dioxide

Most of the top soils in the cultivated/deforested areas of the hills, terraces and other flood plains
are acidified to variable extent. Very severe forms of acidification have been observed in the
coastal areas in about 62000 ha of active acid sulphate soils. As a consequence of drainage
improvement, extreme acidity (pH 2-4) has developed along with aluminum toxicity and
phosphate fixation through microbial oxidation of pyritic sulphides to sulphates and sulphuric
acid. Potential acid sulphate soils are reported to occupy some 8000 ha in the adjoining young
tidal lands.

2.3. Consequences:
2.3.1. Loss of Lives:
Country has experienced seventeen highly damaging floods in the 20th century. Since
independence in 1971, Bangladesh has experienced floods of a vast magnitude in 1974, 1984,
1987, 1988, 1998, 2000 & 2004. The largest recorded flood in depth and duration of flooding in
its history was occurred in 1998 when about 70% of the country was under water for several


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months. Area affected in percent of the total area during major flood event inundating more than
20% of the countrys land area. Damages during some severe floods are presented in Table-1.

Table-1: Some notable flood and cyclone induced storm surge events and losses

2.3.2. Consequence on Fisheries:
Sea level rise would change the location of the river estuary, causing a great change in fish
habitat and breeding ground. Penaid prawns breed and develop in brackish water, where salt
water and fresh water mix. Sea level rise would turn this interface backward, changing habitat of
prawn. There are 60 shrimp hatcheries and 124 shrimp processing plants in the coastal zone. A
flood, which ravaged the southwestern part of Bangladesh in 2000 caused damage or losses of at
least US$500 million to crops, fish farms, property and infrastructure. The shrimp sector was the
most affected sector, losing shrimp fields of equivalent US$230 million. After the flood,
representative of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters There are some areas in the coastal zone
that are far from city or fisheries service centre and have no icing facilities. Fishermen of such
areas dry fishes in open sunlight to avoid spoilage. Locally these dry fishes are known as
Shutki. Dry fishes are rich in nutrient value and a popular dish among the coastal people,
especially in the southeastern coastal zone. The dry fish industry will also be affected by


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anticipated sea level rise.

Figure -10: Casual loop diagram of sea level rise impacts on coastal fisheries sector

2.3.3. Consequence on Agriculture:
Salinity intrusion due to sea level rise will decrease agricultural production by unavailability of
fresh water and soil degradation. Saline containing water reduces plant growth through
concentrating salt in the root zone of plant and resulting in nutrients imbalance and yield loss.
Saline soils contain very low organic matter content such as nitrogen, phosphorus and
micronutrients like zinc and copper, resulting in huge loss of fertility. Due to lack of salt tolerant
crops, it limits crop choices. On the other hand, due to extensive cultivation of a particular
cultivar of crop year after year makes the crop susceptible to pests and diseases attack.

Table-2: Declining rice production because of soil degradation

Rice is the staple food of the people of Bangladesh. It was estimated earlier that farmers of the
country have 10,000 rice varieties in their collections. A study by BARC concluded that
salination will cause a reduction of wheat production equivalent to US$ 586.75 million.


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2.3.4. Consequence on Health:
Sea level rise may increase the risk of health hazards like diarrhea, cholera, etc. Cholera is an
infectious disease of the small intestine of human beings and is common in the coastal area of
Bangladesh. Vibrio cholerae is the causing microbe of cholera that survive longer with salinity
level ranging from 2.5 ppt to 30 ppt and need Sodium ion (Na+) for growth. Average salinity of
sea water is 35 ppt or 3.5%. Most of the salt present in the sea water is sodium chloride (NaCl)
that breaks up into Na+ and Cl-ion when dissolved in water. For the reason, coastal area is
breeding and nursery ground of cholera disease. Water salinity of the coastal area of Bangladesh
varies from 0 ppt to 20 ppt. Water salinity and its distribution in the coastal area is increasing
with the increase of sea level rise. With the increased density and distribution of salinity, cholera
germs are getting favorable habitat and spreading in the coastal area. This hypothesis is also
supported by that states, most major epidemics (of Cholera) that have occurred during the last 50
years originated in coastal region. So, coastal water and its saline environment have close
association with cholera disease. Outbreaks of cholera often occur after flooding, because the
water supply becomes contaminated.

2.3.5. Scarcity of Fresh Water Availability:
Low river flows and increased evapo-transpiration in the dry period will reduce the amount of
fresh water that is available. In the coastal zone there is the additional effect of saline water
intrusion into the estuaries and into the groundwater as a result of low river flow, sea level rise
and local over-abstraction. Since shallow groundwater is fully replenished in the wet season,
drainage congestion does not improve fresh water availability. Reduced availability will become
a serious constraint to development that is aggravated by growing demands from population
growth, economic development and by climate change because of increased evapo-
transportation. Reduced fresh water availability as a result of reduced supply and growing
demand, is a threat to all sectors in Bangladesh.

2.3.6. Consequence on Water Resources and Hydrology:
In a high density country like Bangladesh, the effects of Climate Change on the Surface and
ground water resources will be very severe and alarming. Changes to water resources and
hydrology will have a significant impact on the countrys economy, where people mostly depend
on the Surface water for Irrigation, Fishery, Industrial production, Navigation and similar other
activities.

2.3.7. Consequence on Biodiversity:
Bangladesh has the single largest mangrove area in the world. It is known as the Sundarbans and
has an area of about 577,000 ha. There are patches of mangroves in other parts of the coastal
area. One of them, known as Chokoria Sundarbans (about 7,000 ha) has been completely
denuded due to human interference.
Change in climate will also have serious impacts on the mangrove forests. The rise in sea level
and availability of less fresh water particularly during winter when rainfall will be less will cause
inland intrusion of saline water. As a result, many mangrove species, intolerant of increased
salinity, may be threatened. The Sundarbans may be completely inundated by a 1m rise in sea
level. A wide range of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and above all the


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Royal Bengal Tiger will face extinction. The ecosystem of the only coral island of the St.
Martins island may also be affected. The coastal length covered by mangrove forest will be
exposed to cyclones and storm surges.

Figure -11: Sunderbans after cyclone SIDR in 2007

2.3.8. Coral Bleaching:
Coral reefs are extremely important for biodiversity, providing a home to over 25% of all marine
life. They are also vital for people and business. They provide nurseries for many species of
commercially important fish, protection of coastal areas from storm waves, and are a significant
attraction for the tourism industry.
When sea surface temperatures will increase by more than 1C, coral reefs will be impacted upon
detrimentally. The coral bleaching events of 1997-1998 were the most geographically
widespread with coral reefs throughout the coastal area being affected leading to death of some
corals.

2.4. Saving Lives and Resources:
To save the lives and resources of the coastal area in Bangladesh many short term and long term
measures have been taken, among which some are adaptation measures whereas some are
precautionary measures.

2.4. 1. Adaptation Measures:
Adaptation seeks to reduce the adverse effects of sea level rise on living organisms, including
human and the environment. The ability to adapt and cope is a function of wealth/income,
technology, scientific and technical knowledge and skills, information, infrastructure, policy and
management institutions and equity.
Physical adaptations aim at improving the run-off from land after flooding, which
requires mainly two steps: (i) bringing water from the land into the main drainage system
and (ii) draining water to the sea. Step (i) presently is done under gravity, mostly through
regulators which open during low tides. When higher water levels impede this process,
pumping remains the main option. Step (ii) requires a well maintained drainage network,
and continuous dredging.


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Specific recommendations for adaptation to drainage congestion include physical
interventions and institutional measures. Physical adaptation includes increasing drainage
capacity of infrastructure, new regulators, tidal basins, and pumped drainage.
Tidal basins stand out as a preferred option from an environmental and maintenance
perspective. More specifically, the tidal basin experience in Khulna-Jessore Drainage
Rehabilitation Project should prove the feasibility of this approach in south-west
Bangladesh.
Specific physical adaptations for the salinity problem should focus on increasing surface
water flows from upstream, resuscitation of river networks, increasing local storage
capacity of fresh surface or groundwater, and desalinization plants and equipment.
Resuscitation of river networks, in spite of the physical constraints, could be meaningful
in the short-term especially in the south-west (e.g. Satkhira).
Land use practice can be influenced by incentives to change agricultural practices so that
agricultural demand for fresh water goes down. Therefore, a cohesive approach is
necessary with an intensification of extension services to promote changes in land-use
and farm management techniques.
For the impact of increased morphological dynamics, several methods can be adopted.
Physical adaptations to the threat of increased erosion would include mangrove
greenbelts, cross dams and/or river training works.
Improvement of the forecasting system seems highly promising, though implementation
could be deterred by institutional and communication problems. Increased lead time in
disaster forecasting would help in preparing to meet potential dangers.
Embankments need to be maintained on a regular basis. Therefore, even though
maintenance of embankments is effective, they do not score high on feasibility because of
costs and organization needed to maintain them. For its role in saving lives and property,
this has been slotted as a high priority future incremental action.
2.4.2. Precautionary Measures:
In decision making, the precautionary principle is considered when possibly dangerous,
irreversible, or catastrophic effects are identified, but scientific evaluation of the potential
damage is not sufficiently certain, and actions to prevent these potential adverse effects need to
be justified. Worst-case scenarios should always be considered and planned for. Even if climate
change turns out to not be as deleterious as originally thought, the precautions put in place will
be to advantage no matter what the scenario.

2.4.2.1. Raising Awareness:
Awareness is an important factor for public movement and community participation. There is a
need to increase awareness of the emerging problems of climate change and sea level rise,
consequently how this sea level could be mitigated or adapted with more resource utilization in
coastal Bangladesh. Public awareness campaigns should focus on taking advantage of the
countrys indigenous knowledge and experience in coping with such extreme events that have


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occurred in the past, and using that to prepare for the future eventualities.

2.4.2.2. Changes of Attitude of the People and the Government:
The government needs to change the existing institutional and political attitudes as to how to
phase in energy intensive industries from the renewable energy sources, how to change the
behavior of the energy supply industries, how to change the behavior of energy consumers, and
how to ensure that more energy-efficient buildings and appliances are available on the local
market, little real change can be expected.
2.4.2.3. Long-term Strategy:
Climate change adaptation in coastal Bangladesh needs long-term strategy rather than a reactive
short-term approach.

2.4.2.4. Activation of Kyoto Protocol and Other International Negotiations:
Industrialized countries, including USA, the European Union, Russia, Japan and Australia, emit
55% of the whole GHGs emissions. Although USA has denied ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the
treaty can still come into force. The Kyoto mechanisms are the provisions of developed countries
responsible for most of the GHGs emission. Once operation of the CDM is left to the market
forces alone, CDM projects and transfer of technology will tend to be concentrated in developing
countries such as Bangladesh. The World Bank already launched the Prototype Carbon Fund
(PCF) in January 2000, with a potential capital of $150 million, the worlds first market-based
mechanism of emission reduction efforts.
2.4.2.5. Initiative of Research and Development Programs:
Adaptation or mitigation of climate change scenarios should come through extensive research
and development programs. Tidal power project is the outcome from such an innovative research
in coastal areas of Bangladesh, but there is need for further research for its broader application
throughout all the coastal areas of Bangladesh as well as other coastal areas.
2.4.2.6. Training and Educational Programs:
At this moment, nobody has any practical experience on what sort of consequences would be
coming from climate change. Scientists have described different consequences from climate
change. These scenarios should be communicated the other people for adequate precaution.
Livelihood pattern of the local inhabitants can be improved through:
Alternative income generating activities (nakshi-kantha, utilization of micro
credits and uptake of local manpower, handicraft development through locally
available raw materials).
Food storage and preservation techniques, safe water supply and sanitation,
health and safety practices, better locally available low-cost but long duration
housing model etc.



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3. Conclusion:
Nature and human induced changes in the global climate and associated sea level rise are widely
accepted with policy makers and scientists. Model studies anticipate climate change in the
coming century well beyond the natural variability of the climate in the past millennia and a
possibility of a climate not experienced for tens of millions of years (more than 5C warming).
Although the exact magnitude of the changes in the global climate is still uncertain and subject
of worldwide scientific studies, it is broadly recognized that Bangladesh, as a country, may
suffer the most severe impacts from climate change. To protect human societies and ecosystems
of Bangladesh, especially in coastal areas, from these risks, from these challenges, climate
change should be kept within limits. Achieving success in responding to the challenges of
climate change for Bangladesh will rely, to a greater or lesser extent, on the nature and quality of
the institutional arrangements that emerge or are put in place. Risk management planning should
be diverted towards disaster management as a major consideration in regional development
planning. For this, further developments of partnerships involving scientists, stakeholders and the
public, are crucial in achieving effective climate risk management. Also as a developing country
of the third world, it is important for Bangladesh to get the assistance of the international
community, whose cooperation will surely help the country to mitigate the effects of climate
change. We can only hope that Bangladesh will be able to establish an elaborate and experienced
disaster management system against climate change, to save the lives and resources from its
destructive effect.
4. Recommendations:
The impacts of climate change will materialize gradually over the next century and
beyond, by taking action now we have time to develop a well considered, well
managed, and staged adaptation plan to reduce risks and avoid creating new risks.
States, territories, local government, industry and communities will play a vital role in
on-ground coastal adaptation action. In particular government roles in planning and
setting benchmarks will be central to risk management and in managing the large
number of public assets in the coastal region.
Improving forecasting, warning, adapting land use and development policy response
relate to an improved emergency preparedness for coastal storms.
Land use development policy seems an effective tool.
Awareness is an important factor for public movement and community participation.
There is a need to increase awareness of the emerging problems of climate change and
sea level rise.
Electronic and print media can play a pivotal role in raising public awareness.
The government should change the existing institutional and political attitudes as to
how to phase in energy intensive industries from the renewable energy sources, how to
change the behavior of the energy supply industries, how to change the behavior of the
energy consumers etc.

5. Appendix


Questionnaire


1. Is climate change a threat to the existence of coastal area of Bangladesh?
Yes
No
2. Will climate change cause heavy life loss is our coastal area?
Yes
No
3. Is climate change affecting our economy?
Yes
No
4. Is climate change causing harm to coastal biodiversity?
Yes
No
5. Is public health of coastal area at stake due to salinity intrusion?
Yes
No
6. Do we need green belt surrounding coastal area?
Yes
No
7. Do you think people need to be more cautious about environment pollution?
Yes
No
8. Do you think strict laws should be imposed concerning industrial pollution in coastal area?
Yes
No
9. Do you think government-people partnership is required for the survival of coastal people?
Yes
No
10. Do you think existing adaptation measures are sufficient to mitigate future loss of lives and
resources?
Yes
No
5. Appendix


Abbreviations


THC- Thermohaline Circulation
GHG- Greenhouse Gas
CDM- Clean Development Mechanism
WB- World Bank
PETM- Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
GDP- Gross Domestic Product
BRRI- Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
IRRI- International Rice Research Institute
BARC- Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council
BCCSAP- Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan
BCCRF- Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund
UNFCCC- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
6. List of References



1. Kiran Pandey, Mainul Huq, Malik Fida Khan, M.M. Zahid Ahmed, Nandan Mukherjee,
Susmita Dasgupta, Zahirul Huq Khan. (2010). Vulnerability of Bangladesh to Cyclones in a
Changing Climate.

2. Keith D Cundale. (2008). Climate Change and its impact on Bangladesh : Technical appraisal
of the institutional implications and considerations.

3. Anwar Ali. (1999). Climate change impacts and adaptation assessment in Bangladesh.

4. Jeroen P. van der Sluijs & Wim C. Turkenburg. (2006). Climate change and the Precautionary
Principle.

5. Jerker Tamelander and Arjan Rajasuriya. (2007). Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia:
Bangladesh, Chagos, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

6. Sirajur Rahman Khan. (2009). CYCLONE HAZARD IN BANGLADESH.

7. Md. Golam Mahabub Sarwar. (2005). Impacts of Sea Level Rise on the Coastal Zone of
Bangladesh.

8. Lubna Seal & Mohammed Abdul Baten. (2012). Salinity Intrusion in Interior Coast: A New
Challenge to Agriculture in South Central part of Bangladesh.

9. NCDO. (2012, April 4). Climate Change & its Impacts on Bangladesh. Retrieved
from the NCDO website: http://www.ncdo.nl

10. Wikipedia. (2014, February 19). Climate change. Retrieved from the Wikipedia website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change

11. Wikipedia. (2013, July 12). Climate change in Bangladesh. Retrieved from the Wikipedia
website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Bangladesh

7. Glossary


Thermohaline circulation It refers to the flow of ocean water caused by change in density
Albedo - It is the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it
Evapo-transpiration Evapo-transpiration is the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration
from the Earth's land and Ocean surface to the atmosphere
Weathering - Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soil and minerals as well as artificial
materials through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters
Glaciation - It is an interval of time (thousands of years) within an ice age that is marked by
colder temperatures and glacier advances
Oxygenic photosynthesis - The type of photosynthesis which releases oxygen
Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum - It refers to a time interval that began at the temporal
boundary between the Paleocene and Eocene epochs
Phytoplankton Microscopic plant-like organisms which are the base of the marine food web
Azolla It is a unique plant that can help reduce man-made climate change and provide
biofertilizer, livestock feed, food and renewable energy anywhere in the world
Tectonic plate It is a massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock
Topography - The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area
Anthropogenesis The scientific study of origin and development of humans
Fossil The preserved remains of traces of animals, plants and other organisms from the remote
past
Penaid A type of shrimp
Micronutrient - Micronutrients are nutrients required by humans and other organisms
throughout life in small quantities to orchestrate a range of physiological functions
Hydrology - Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth
and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed
sustainability
Tidal basin It is a partially man made reservoir