Skip to main content

Seventh most vulnerable nation, effects of climate change can be seen in Bangladesh

Mashrur Siddique Bhuiyan* 

From November 6–18, 2022, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt is hosting the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This two-week climate conference is critical for the globe because it occurs at a time when nations are coping with a global energy crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, rising inflation rates, and dwindling funding for climate adaptation. It also has great significance for Bangladesh, as the country's ability to maintain its economic growth depends on raising the necessary finances for urgent climate action and mitigation.
This year’s theme is "Delivering for People and the Planet," which aims to hasten global climate action by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, fostering resilience and preparing for climate change's unavoidable effects, and increasing the flow of climate finance to developing nations.
The goals of COP27 are based on the outcomes of COP21, which was held in Paris in 2015. At COP21, 196 parties committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to keep global warming to well below 2°C and, ideally, to 1.5°C. They also set emission reduction targets in their national plans and made financial resources available to carry out their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The developed nations want to concentrate on helping developing nations phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sectors, whereas the developing countries are in favor of a commitment to increase climate funds to mitigate the disasters caused by climate change they are already experiencing. As a result, the ultimate goal of this year's summit is in dispute. While the world's poorest climate-vulnerable regions are looking for new funding to make up for the economic losses brought on by worsening floods, storms, cyclones, and heat waves, the industrialized nations are reluctant to offer new funding out of concern that they might be held liable for the climate-related damages.
Thousands of millions of dollars have been spent on war and aggression around the world. However, the world's leaders have not yet followed through on the promises they made at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, last year. The majority of the COP 26 participant nations, particularly the least developed nations, who suffer the most, spoke out against the developed countries for failing to take action to keep the global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius and for delaying efforts to fulfill their commitment to providing $100 billion annually for underdeveloped and developing nations starting in 2020 as stipulated by the Paris Agreement.
The global climate summit in Glasgow came to an end with an ambitious plan known as the Glasgow Climate Pact, a collection of agreements on coal, carbon markets, money for developing countries, and national climate targets as well as a notable range of commitments on the forest, methane, car emissions, and private finance. However, these pledges have not yet been fulfilled.
Only two dozen countries upheld their pledges and promised stronger action, despite over 200 countries have agreed to "nationally determined contributions" to reduce emissions. High-income nations promised to provide $100 billion annually by 2020, but they have yet to fulfill their promises.
However, the CVF (Climate Vulnerable Forum), which has 48 members from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, and is now chaired by Bangladesh for 2020–2022, has been playing a crucial role in preparing a strong presentation for COP 27. The premier of Bangladesh, who is also the chair of the CVF, attended several sessions of COP 26 and spoke out strongly alongside others to keep global temperatures within reasonable ranges. He also asked rich nations to compensate the affected nations by calculating their losses and damages.
Although they make less of a contribution to the issue of climate change, the least developed nations bear the brunt of its negative effects, including sea level rise and natural disasters. Let's turn to Bangladesh's viewpoint. The effects of climate change are being seen in Bangladesh, the seventh most climate-vulnerable nation. It battles droughts, cyclones, storm surges, floods, and other catastrophic climate phenomena every year. Many farmers give up farming and look for alternative sources of income as a result of salt water seeping into many arable fields. When it comes to air quality, Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, has been named one of the most polluted cities in the world. Because of primarily the use of erratic fossil fuels, this has solely been for the greenhouse effect.
A few days ago, cyclone Sitrang badly struck Bangladesh, leaving 24 people dead, approximately 10,000 homes damaged or destroyed, and 1,000 shrimp farms washed away in a flood brought on by a cyclone-induced flood. Despite making great progress in lowering the number of people who die from climate disasters, Bangladesh continues to face serious and rising climate risks, according to a recent Country and Climate Development Report from the World Bank Group for Bangladesh. According to the World Bank, the nation's robust growth potential could be jeopardized if immediate action is not taken, including new funding for climate adaptation and resilience measures.
As a result, COP27 is crucial for Bangladesh and other nations that are vulnerable to climate change in order to accomplish their objectives and guarantee funds for climate mitigation. As they will be complying with COP27, it is anticipated that developed nations like the USA, China, Australia, and the KSA will make ambitious plans or NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) in 2022. The International Center for Climate Change and Development, or ICCCAD, can be crucial in helping each nation reach its objectives for the upcoming COP 27.
---
*Development worker and independent researcher, Dhaka

Comments

TRENDING

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Repeated failure to appoint Chief, other commissioners undermining RTI Act

By Anjali Bhardwaj, Amrita Johri* The post of the Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission (CIC) has fallen vacant with the retirement of Bimal Julka with effect from August 27, 2020. This is the fifth time in the last six years that the Commission has been rendered headless. Four posts of information commissioners are also vacant in the CIC. Currently more than 35,000 appeals and complaints are pending in the commission resulting in citizens having to wait for months, even years for their cases to be disposed, thereby frustrating peoples’ right to know. Since May 2014, not a single commissioner of the CIC has been appointed without citizens having to approach courts. The failure of the government to make timely appointments of commissioners is a flagrant violation of the directions of the Supreme Court. In its February 2019 judgment, the apex court had categorically stated that if the CIC does not have a Chief Information Commissioner or required strength

Ultimate champion in crisis, arguably best ever skipper: Created history in Aussie cricket

By Harsh Thakor  In the history of cricket few cricketers knit and propelled a cricket team or had such profound influence on the game as Ian Chappell. Ian Chappell was responsible for converting a bunch of talented individuals into a world beating side, giving a dramatic turn to Australian cricket. Few cricketers ever led such a renaissance.

BSF's unconstitutional, whimsical order violates life, livelihood of Dalits, minorities

Kirity Roy, Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), writes to the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission: *** I want to attract your attention towards the illegitimate restrictions on the life and livelihood of the villagers of Paschim Sahebganj village under Dinhata - II Block and Sahebganj police station in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal by the Border Security Force personnel attached with Dharala Border Out Post under 138 Battalion BSF. The population of Paschim Sahebganj village is around 1480, where almost 75 percent of the villagers belong from Hindu Scheduled Caste (Dalit) and 25 percent from minority Muslim backgrounds.The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. About 260 acres of cultivable land in the village that belongs to the villagers is located outside the border fencing, which is heavily guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF). The BSF regulates the ingress and egress of the villagers to their fields through the fencing gates that a

Largest democracy in world has become weakest at hands of fascist Hindutva forces

Note on “The Nazification of India”, a report released By Justice For All: *** This report, the Nazification of India, compares how Hindutva ideology not only is inspired by Nazis and Fascists of Europe, but their treatment of the Muslim minority closely follows developments that resulted in pushing Jews to the gas chambers. Situation is indeed quite alarming. The report says that the largest democracy in the world has become the weakest at the hands of the fascist Hindutva ideology. India today is ruled not just by a political party the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but its mother organization the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Because the BJP’s government policies are linked to extra-legal enforcement by RSS paramilitary street power, this report has coined the term “The BJP-RSS regime” to reflect their intrinsic links and collaborative relationship. The Nazification of India report marks the anniversary of the Gujarat pogroms of 2002 against Muslims which propelled the BJP-RSS

Varanasi social worker who has devoted her life for the ultra-poor and the marginalized

Passion Vista and its partners profile Founder and Managing Trustee Shruti Nagvanshi as  someone whom women leaders look up to: *** Shruti Nagvanshi, a social worker and human rights activist based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has devoted her life to reaching out to the ultra-poor and marginalized communities in India. Born in Dashashwmedh, Varanasi on 2 January 1974, she married Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi on 22 February 1992 and has a son, Kabeer Karunik, a Business management Graduate who is also a national level snooker player.

An approach to lake/pond restoration by Ramveer Tanvar, Pond Man of India

By Monami Bhattacharya*, Mansee Bal Bhargava**  Lakes/ ponds are often referred to as an elixir of life, a living ecosystem that adds incremental value to the larger biota. Across the tropical landscape of the country lakes/ ponds are a common sight. Lakes/ponds have always shaped the life and livelihood of those dwelling in and around it. The dependence of the local population on these natural resources of water is noticeable since time immemorial. However, they are fading fast in both rural and urbanscapes from the popular parlance with the advance of humanity. It has been a popular notion to value land more than the waterscape and hence these nurturers of life are under stress in several areas. In many instances, these once beautiful waterscapes referred as the ‘Eye of the Earth’ are mostly now only dilapidated garbage dump yards emitting foul smell with no sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Panchayat funds defrauded: Roads without potholes a fundamental right but not here

Kirity Roy, Secretary Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), and National Convenor (PACTI) Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity, writes to the chairman, National Human Rights Commission: *** Through this complaint, I want to draw your attention to the plight of the villagers of Nawdapara in the District of North 24 Parganas. The village is situated under the Bagdah Police Station, Bagdah Block and Mama Bhagina Post Office respectively. Nawdapara is a Muslim minority populated village. Indo Bangladesh Border Road (IBBR) passes through the middle of the village. There is a naka checking post of the BSF inside the village and BSF associated with Mama Bhagina Border Out Post, 68 Battalion, ‘B’ Company guard 24 hours in that check post. People have lived in this village since the independence of India. The market is about three to four kilometres away from Nawdapara village. One primary school is situated within the village but the high school is about five to six kilo

Urban crisis: Impact of erosion of democratic framework on Indian cities

By IMPRI Team  On 13th February, 2023, IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi in collaboration with ActionAid Association India arranged a book launch followed by lecture series under the title “India’s G20 Presidency & the Urban Agenda for the Developing Countries”. The event was held in Indian International Centre (IIC) Annex, New Delhi. The event began with the book inauguration session, under the honorary presence of Mr Sitaram Yechury, former Rajya Sabha member and General Secretary, CPI (M), accompanied by Mr Sandeep Chachra, executive director, ActionAid Association India. Session 1 | Book Launch: ‘Cities in Transition’ by Mr Tikender Singh Panwar The book launched was “Cities in Transition”, written by Mr Tikender Singh Panwar, former Deputy Mayor, Shimla and a Senior Fellow at IMPRI. Beginning with brief remarks on his book, Mr Panwar outlined the basic subject matter and the purpose behind writing the book, which he considers as a by-product of his experien

Riverscapes: mythology, iconography, folklore and origins amidst rising water problems

By Proshakha Maitra*, Mansee Bal Bhargava** Rivers are not just bodies of water and resources flowing across a landscape, but they are flows supporting a variety of cultural beliefs, values, and ways of life by linking people, places, and other forms of life (Anderson, et al., 2019). Since ancient times, rivers have been the ‘cradle of civilizations’ where the major civilizations of the world developed along the banks of the rivers. Even the earliest known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent, the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization developed along the banks of the Indus River that flows from the mountains of Tibet through India and Pakistan. Every river has its tales of mythology, iconography, folklore and origins which are worth knowing, especially in the current times when they are under severe distress of development. Since knowing these intangible aspects of the tangible resource/heritage is crucial to instigate emotional and spiritual connect which may in turn make people an