Climate change

Photo: AFP

Bangladesh is tapped between the Himalayas in the north & the encroaching Bay of Bengal to the south. Bangladesh is most vulnerable to natural disaster due to the frequent extreme climate events & its high population density. In Bangladesh, climate change will affect many sectors, including water resources, agriculture & food security, ecosystem & biodiversity. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Bangladesh country representative Dr Ainun Nishat told that a three to four degrees Celsius rise in temperature will cut rice production by at least 30 percent. If there is an increase in temperature of 6 Celsius the greater flow of water through Bangladesh's three great rivers will lead to between 20& 40% more flooding. In my view, the government should take following steps to face the impact of climate change.
Strengthening capacities at different levels to interpret and communicate relevant climate information, and advise local communities how to prepare for risks and capitalize on opportunities; enhancing institutional and technical capacities of government institutions, civil society organisations and communities for localized risk and vulnerability assessments, and the formulation of climate sensitive development plans and policies; promoting development of practical adaptation options and demonstration of location-specific investments to foster development in the face of present climate variability and future climate change risks.