Dr Mahfuzul Haque. Points for Discussion Geographical Reality of Bangladesh Vulnerability of...
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Transcript of Dr Mahfuzul Haque. Points for Discussion Geographical Reality of Bangladesh Vulnerability of...
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