Dr Mahfuzul Haque

Points for DiscussionGeographical Reality of BangladeshVulnerability of Bangladesh to CC4th IPCC Report on BangladeshAdaptationNAPA 2005BCCSAP 2009

Geographical realityThe geographic location and geo-morphological

conditions of Bangladesh have made the country one of the most vulnerable ones to climate change, particularly to Sea Level rise (SLR)

Bangladesh is situated at the interface of two different environments, with the Bay of Bengal to the south and the Himalayas to the north

This peculiar geography of Bangladesh causes not only life-giving monsoons but also catastrophic ravages of natural disasters, to which now added are climate change induced disaster including SLR

Geographical realityThe country has a very low and flat topography, except

the northeast and southeast regions. About 10% of the country is hardly 1 meter above the mean sea level (MSL), and one-third is under tidal excursions

Bangladesh has a humid, warm, tropical climate. Its climate is influenced primarily by monsoon and post-monsoon circulations.

Because of the very geographical situation of the country, a series of natural disaster; like, floods, cyclones, tornadoes, tidal bore, drought, desertification, river erosion regularly visit the country

Vulnerability of BangladeshA climate hazards calendar shows that Floods occur from May-October with severe

flooding during July-August periodFlash flood in April-June with severity in MayDrought from April to July with severity in

May-June; River bank erosion during June-October with

severity in July-September period Cyclones and tornadoes visit us in April-May

and August-November period; andCold wave in January

Vulnerability of BangladeshBangladesh is already facing the adverse impacts of

global warming and climate change. The following impacts are being observed:

Summers are becoming hotterMonsoon irregularUntimely rainfallHeavy rainfall causing water logging and landslidesVery little rainfall in dry periodIncreased river flow and inundation during monsoonIncreased frequency, intensity and recurrence of

floods

Vulnerability of BangladeshCrop damage due to flash floods and monsoon

floodsCrop failure due to droughtProlonged cold spellSalinity intrusion along the coast causing scarcity

of potable waterCoastal erosionRiverbank erosionDeaths due to extreme heat and extreme coldIncreased mortality, morbidityPrevalence and outbreak of dengue, malaria,

cholera and diarrhoea

Fourth IPCC Report 2007

According to Fourth Assessment Report of Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2007 the following changes have been observed in climate trends, variability and extreme events in Bangladesh:

Average temperature has registered an increasing trend of about 1 degree C in May and 0.5 degree C in November during the 14 year-period from 1985 to 1998

The annual mean rainfall exhibits increasing trends

Serious and recurring floods have taken place during 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007

Fourth IPCC Report 2007Cyclones originating from the Bay of Bengal

have been noted to decrease since 1970 but the intensity has increased

Water shortages has been attributed to rapid urbanization and industrialization, population growth and inefficient water use, which are aggravated by changing climate

Salt water from the Bay of Bengal is reported to have penetrated 100 km or more inland along tributary channels during the dry season

Fourth IPCC Report 2007The precipitation decline and droughts has

resulted in the drying up of wetlands and severe degradation of ecosystems

The IPCC Report said that the production of rice and wheat might drop in Bangladesh by 8 percent and 32 percent respectively by the year 2050

Bangladesh is especially susceptible to increasing salinity of groundwater as well as surface water resources, especially along the coast. Even under the most conservative estimate, the sea level will be about 40 cm higher than today by the end of 21st century

 

Fourth IPCC Report 2007Climate change impacts are already adding

significant stress to our physical and environmental resources. Impacts of observed changes are felt most in the following sectors: Water resources Coastal resources Agriculture Health Livelihoods Food security Habitat/Settlement security

Global Climate Risk Index 2010Global Climate Risk Index 2010 says, an

average of 8,241 people died each year in 244 cases of extreme weather events in Bangladesh with damages amounting to US$ 2 billion a year and a GDP loss of 1.81 percent during 1990-2008 period.

Climate change induced disasters affecting lives and livelihoods of at least 20 million people, while 200,000 people becoming homeless every year in Bangladesh

Mitigation MeasuresAre we ready to go for some mitigation and

adaptation measures for stabilizing GHGs? Mitigation measures are:Promotion of renewable energy (solar, hydro,

biogas, wind, wave etc) Conversion of automobiles to CNGUse of coal for brick kilns: improved model for

kilnsIncreased efficiency of fossil fuel burningIntroduction of Environmental Management

System (EMS) for domestic and industrial energy use

Way Out?Adaptation measures are:Agriculture : saline tolerant variety of crops;

floating gardens; rain water harvest; crop diversification; canal re-excavation

Habitat : Flood-proof homes; flood-proof drinking water and sanitation; cyclone shelters

Promote 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)

ADAPTATION

Adaptation for Flood and Riverbank Erosion

Cultivation in Sandbars: in the Charlands, cultivation of watermelon, pumpkin and vegetables in polythene bags

Cage Culture: Fish cultivation in cages not affected by flooding

Cluster Village: Such cluster of villages are well adapted to CC in the face of erosion in raised earth

Flood Proof Homes: They are well suited against wave action and floods

Floating Garden: Such floating gardens in water logged area are capable to grow vegetables on water hyacinth. This is also known as “ Baira”

Early transferable InfrastructureFlood Proof School can be used as shelter for cattle

heads on raised earthLivestock Shelter on School Ground (Killa)

Adaptation for Drought

Cultivation of rice with minor irrigation: rice grown in drought-prone areas

Digging of small ponds for water reservoir and cattle heads

Digging of mini pond in a crop landLess water consuming fruitsMango OrchardHomestead GardenCrop RotationCrop DiversificationDry Seed Bed for Transplanted AmanMaize CultivationImproved Stove

Adaptation for Flash Flood in Haor areas

Early variety of rice in flash flood prone areasSubmergible dyke to protect crops from flash

floodFlash flood proof rural marketCrop diversificationEarly Maturing Rice varietyVillage Mound ProtectionKarach Swamp (Pongamia pinnata) ForestDuck farming in HaorProtection of fish farmCanal re-excavation

Adaptation for Coastal Areas

Duck farmingSchool cum cyclone shelter centreEmbankment along the CoastlineChange in boat designAfforestation to protect the Chars and river

bank

Adaptation for Agriculture

Saline tolerant variety of cropsPure drinking water in saline areaFloating Garden- BairaRing based hanging gardenFlood proof drinking water and sanitationCrop storageRainwater harvestingMele chash Red CultivationCyclone Resistant HousingReinforced fishing boatsAbating Erosion from flash floodEarly warning

NAPA 2009National Adaptation

Plan of Action 2005 (updated in August 2009)

Related to adaptation measures to climate change

Country-wide consultation was held

NAPA MeasuresNAPA undertook some short-term and medium-

term projects on Adaptation. How to mainstream adaptation to climate change into various sectoral policies of the government. Other specific measures are as follows:

Adaptation to coastal crop agricultureAdaptation to coastal fisheriesAdaptation to Haor crops victims of flash floods

in NEAdaptation to floodsAdaptation to natural hazards

BCCSAP 2009Bangladesh Climate

Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009

A pro-poor climate change management strategy, which prioritizes adaptation and disaster risk reduction, low carbon development, mitigation and technology transfer

BCCSAP 2009BCCSAP built on following six pillars:1.Food Security, social protection and health to

protect people from CC impacts2.Comprehensive disaster management to

strengthen3.Infrastructure Development accommodating CC4.Research and Knowledge development on CC

prediction5.Mitigation and Low Carbon Development6.Capacity Building and Institutional Development

Further ReadingsMinistry of Environment and Forests,

Government of Bangladesh and UNDP, National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA), August 2009.

Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), 2009.

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Bangladesh, 2009.

Probable QuestionsWhat are the likely adverse impacts of

climate change on the Agriculture sector, discuss.

Discuss vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change

What are the adaptation measures related to climate change in coastal areas of Bangladesh?

Thank you