A brief account of manifestations of climate change impacts affecting socio-economy in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is highly susceptible to increase in flood, moisture stress, and salinity intrusion in a changed climatic scenario. These changes will be accompanied by direct impacts on major productive systems. All major user sectors of water will be affected in spite of the country’s very high per capita water quanta availability. Managing the country’s hydrological cycle would perhaps be the most critical physical problem for the country. Because of frequent natural disasters the coastal population are more poverty struck than other parts of the country in stead of greater contribution in national economy by the coastal zones. As a whole the rice varieties Aus, Boro, and Aman, and wheat production are projected to be affected severely under different scenarios of agro-climatic change. Projected significant increase in monsoon rainfall will aggravate monsoon flooding inflicting losses to fish farmers. Surface water temperature change will badly affect shrimp industry. Cyclonic storm surge, prolonged flood, and droughts are making livestock sector more vulnerable. Pathogen-induced diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue are projected to strike badly. House and sanitation infra-structure of population living below poverty level get frequently affected by more frequent natural disasters. Transport of contaminants can aggravate food safety problem. Subsistence agriculture and food security of the poor has been being placed at high risk. All of these impacts will deteriorate overall socio-economy and will be disproportionate to the poor. Adaptation and coping strategies must be addressed with development initiatives, thus policy and integration innovation are greatly required for sustainable development.