According to a World Bank report, Bangladesh’s average annual temperature is predicted to increase by 1.0°C to 2.5°C. Experts envisage that such a rise in temperature will not only cost Bangladesh 6.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product and lower the living standards of more than one-third of its population by 2050 but also it will have a massive impact on environment, livelihood, irrigation, ecology and biodiversity.
The World Bank reports say that in order to deal with climate change, on an average Bangladesh will need an estimated fund of more than USD 166 million every year till the year 2050. However, the irony is that Bangladesh has done almost nothing to cause global warming unlike first world countries like the USA, Australia and Canada who bear a great deal of responsibility for carbon emission already in the atmosphere. Nevertheless, the country has to pay a much steeper price because of its geographical location.
As developed countries are accountable for the severe consequences of
climate change, they must provide necessary financial, technological and
intellectual support to the developing countries following the Paris Agreement
The world is now going through a situation where the most vulnerable countries, which deserve the highest level of priority, are failing to access whatever support that is being realised. Major emitters show extreme reluctance on mitigation, which may wreck the international climate regime and put the climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh at peril.
Human settlements have been affected in Bangladesh due to extreme climate events such as Cyclones Sidr and Aila over past years. One of the most adverse and prolonged impact of climate change in Bangladesh has been observed in the form of climate-migration. Therefore, international community should realize the need for formulating coherent and research-backed policy, legal and institutional framework at global scale to address climate migration in developing and climate vulnerable countries.
Immediate steps should be taken to protect people from environmental risks and reduce unwanted migration due to climate change.
