Impact of Climate Change in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

8/11/2019 Impact of Climate Change in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

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Saving Lives and Resources

Impact of Climate Change on

Coastal Area in Bangladesh


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Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

A Report on

Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Area in Bangladesh:

Saving Lives and Resources

Prepared By

Sadia Anjum Tisha (201116014)

Makduma Zahan Badhan (201116015)

Shazzadur Rahman (201116016)

Abir Mohammad (201116017)

Md. Nazmus Sakib (201116018)

Abu Bakar Siddique (201116019)

Submitted To

Md. Murshikul Alam

Head of Department, Department of Humanities

Md. Abdur Rouf

Lecturer, Department of Humanities

February 22, 2014


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Table of Contents

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Topic Page Number

Forwarding Letter i

Table of Contents ii-iii

List of Illustrations iv

Abstract v

1. Introduction 1

2. Discussion 1

2.1. Causes of Climate Change 1

2.1.1. Natural Causes 1

2.1.1.1. Ocean Current 1

2.1.1.2. Life 2

2.1.1.3. The Earths Orbital Variations 2

2.1.1.4. Volcanism 2

2.1.1.5. Plate Tectonics 2

2.1.2. Human Causes 22.1.2.1. Carbon dioxide 3

2.1.2.2. Methane 3

2.1.2.3. Nitrous oxide 4

2.2. Indicators of Climate Change 4

2.2.1. Rise in Temperature 4

2.2.2. Rise in Sea Level 5

2.2.3. Seasonal Variation 5

2.2.4. Salinity Intrusion 5

2.2.5. Typhoons and Storm Surge 6

2.2.6. Water Acidification 7

2.3. Consequences 7

2.3.1. Loss of Lives 7

2.3.2. Consequence on Fisheries 8


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Table of Contents

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Topic Page Number

2.3.3. Consequence on Agriculture 9

2.3.4. Consequence on Health 10

2.3.5. Scarcity of Fresh Water Availability 10

2.3.6. Consequence on Water Resources and Hydrology 10

2.3.7. Consequence on Biodiversity 10

2.3.8. Coral Bleaching 11

2.4. Saving Lives and Resources 11

2.4. 1. Adaptation Measures 11

2.4.2. Precautionary Measures 12

2.4.2.1. Raising Awareness 12

2.4.2.2. Changes of Attitude of the Peopleand the Government 13

2.4.2.3. Long-term Strategy 13

2.4.2.4. Activation of Kyoto Protocol and

Other International Negotiations 13

2.4.2.5. Initiative of Research and

Development Programs 13

2.4.2.6. Training and Educational Programs 13

3. Conclusion 14

4. Recommendations 14

5. Appendix 15

5(A) Questionnaire 15

5(B) Abbreviations 16

6. List of References 17

7. Glossary 18


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List of Illustrations

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Name of the Figure Page Number

Figure-1: A figure showing how the Greenhouse Effect is created 3

Figure -2: Global fossil carbon emissions since the year 1800 3

Figure -3: Rise of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide

and methane in atmosphere 4

Figure -4: Global rise in temperature 4

Figure -5: Rise in temperature with rise in CO2 4

Figure -6: Sea level rise due to global warming 5

Figure -7: The possible impacts of salinity in river water 6

Figure -8: Number of cyclones over the year 6

Figure -9: Biological and physical pumps of carbon dioxide 7

Table-1: Some notable flood and cyclone induced storm surge

events and losses 8

Figure -10: Casual loop diagram of sea level rise impacts on

coastal fisheries sector 9

Table-2: Declining rice production because of soil degradation 9

Figure -11: Sunderbans after cyclone SIDR in 2007 11


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Abstract

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This report reviews the climate change impacts on the coastal zone of Bangladesh, on the basis

of available secondary sources. The resources includes books, government reports, internationalreports, scientific journals, maps and news articles that highlighted sea level rise related issues in

Bangladesh. Some studies of the same field in other parts of the globe were also considered forthe task. The report tries to seek for both qualitative and quantitative impacts and also tries to

find out some solutions that would help Bangladesh to adapt to the problems. Both livelihoodoptions of coastal communities and the natural environment of the coastal zone will be affected

by the anticipated climate change. It will also affect national and food security of the country.Mitigation and adaptation are two options to minimize the impacts. A combined effort of

Bangladesh Government, Bangladeshs people and International communities is emerging needfor survival.


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1. Introduction:

Climate change is an important issue nowadays. Various human activities are making the worldhot to hotter. The ultimate result is global warming, i.e. climate change. Rising temperature inthe atmosphere causes sea level rise and affects low lying coastal areas and deltas of the world.

In 1990, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that with a business-as-usualscenario of greenhouse gas emission, the world would be 3.30C warmer by the end of the nextcentury, with a range of uncertainty of 2.2C to 4.9C. With rise in temperature, sea level willrise because of thermal expansion and ice melt.Sea level rise has various impacts on Bangladesh, a coastal country facing 710 km long coast tothe Bay of Bengal. It already has affected Bangladesh by land erosion, salinity intrusion and lossin biodiversity. Its potential threats are coming even strongly in the future. Sea level rise willcause river bank erosion, salinity intrusion, flood, damage to infrastructures, crop failure,fisheries destruction, loss of biodiversity, etc. along this coast.Adaptation and mitigation are two options for Bangladesh. Of which the first one is countryspecific, or even local specific, but mitigation demands collective efforts of global communities.

Development of adaptation policies for different sectors will help Bangladesh to face the crucialhazards of sea level rise. Lobby in the international communities will be helpful to mitigate CO2emissions, which is responsible for global warming and sea level rise. Proper mitigation plan andformulating adaptation policies are emerging need to minimize sea level rise impacts on thecountry.

2. Discussion:

Climate change has been a major issue in recent days. Increased pollution and other factors haveincreased the change in a radical rate. Our coastal area has become most vulnerable because ofthese changes in climate. Many short term and long term measures have been taken to reduce the

loss of lives and resources.

2.1. Causes of Climate Change:Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weatherpatterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in averageweather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions.

2.1.1. Natural Causes:

2.1.1.1. Ocean Current:

The oceans are a major component of the climate system. They cover about 71% of the Earth andabsorb about twice as much of the sun's radiation as the atmosphere or the land surface. Onlonger time scales, alterations to ocean processes such as thermohaline circulation play a key rolein redistributing heat by carrying out a very slow and extremely deep movement of water and thelong-term redistribution of heat in the world's oceans.


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2.1.1.2. Life:

Life affects climate through its role in the carbon and water cycles and such mechanisms asalbedo, evapotranspiration, cloud formation, and weathering. Examples of how life may haveaffected past climate include: glaciation 2.3 billion years ago triggered by the evolution ofoxygenic photosynthesis,glaciation 300 million years ago ushered in by long-term burial ofdecomposition-resistant detritus of vascular land plants (forming coal) termination of thePaleocene-Eocene thermal maximum 55 million years ago by flourishing marine phytoplankton,reversal of global warming 49 million years ago by 800,000 years of arctic azolla blooms, andglobal cooling over the past 40 million years driven by the expansion of grass-grazer.

2.1.1.3. The Earths Orbital Variations:The earth makes one full orbit around the sun each year. It is tilted at an angle of 23.5 to theperpendicular plane of its orbital path. For one half of the year when it is summer, the northernhemisphere tilts towards the sun. In the other half when it is winter, the earth is tilted away fromthe sun. If there was no tilt we would not have experienced seasons. Changes in the tilt of theearth can affect the severity of the seasons - more tilt means warmer summers and colderwinters; less tilt means cooler summers and milder winters.

2.1.1.4. Volcanism:Volcanic eruptions release gases and particulates into the atmosphere. Eruptions large enough toaffect climate occur on average several times per century, and cause cooling (by partiallyblocking the transmission of solar radiation to the Earth's surface) for a period of a few years.The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20thcentury (after the 1912 eruption of Novarupta) affected the climate substantially. Globaltemperatures decreased by about 0.5C (0.9F). The eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 causedthe Year Without a Summer.

2.1.1.5. Plate Tectonics:

Over the course of millions of years, the motion of tectonic plates reconfigures global land andocean areas and generates topography. This can affect both global and local patterns of climateand atmosphere-ocean circulation.

2.1.2. Human Causes:

Anthropogenic factors are human activities which affect the climate. The term climate changehas become synonymous with anthropogenic global warming. The primary human activity

affecting the amount and rate of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions from the burning offossil fuels. The most important Greenhouse Gases directly emitted by humans include CO2,Methane(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and several others.


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Figure-1: A figure showing how the Greenhouse Effect is created

2.1.2.1. Carbon dioxide:Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas that is contributing to recent climate change. CO2is absorbed and emitted naturally as part of the carbon cycle, through animal and plantrespiration, volcanic eruptions, and ocean-atmosphere exchange. Human activities, such as theburning of fossil fuels and changes in land use, release large amounts of carbon to theatmosphere, causing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere to rise.

Figure -2: Global fossil carbon emissions since the year 1800

2.1.2.2. Methane:

Methane is produced through both natural and human activities like natural wetlands,agricultural activities, and fossil fuel extraction and transport all emit CH4. Methane is moreabundant in Earths atmosphere now than at any time in at least the past 650,000 years. Due tohuman activities, CH4 concentrations increased sharply during most of the 20th century and arenow more than two-and-a-half times pre-industrial levels. In recent decades, the rate of increase


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has slowed considerably.

2.1.2.3. Nitrous oxide:

Nitrous oxide is produced through natural and human activities, mainly through agricultural

activities and natural biological processes. Fuel burning and some other processes also createN2O. Concentrations of N2O have risen approximately 18% since the start of the IndustrialRevolution.

Figure -3: Rise of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in atmosphere

Bangladesh is the most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change over the next 30years, according to calculations by the British global risks analysis company Maplecroft. This isbased on the analysis of impacts of major climate events that occurred around the world in thetwenty-year period since 1990. The reasons are complex and extremely intertwined.

2.2. Indicators of Climate Change:

2.2.1. Rise in Temperature:As climate change has warmed the Earth, oceans have responded more slowly than landenvironments. But scientific research is finding that marine ecosystems can be far more sensitiveto even the most modest temperature change.Global warming caused by human activities that emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide has raised theaverage global temperature by about 1F (0.6C) over the past century. In the oceans, this changehas only been about 0.18F (0.1C). This warming has occurred from the surface to a depth ofabout 2,300 feet (700 meters), where most marine life thrives.

Figure -4: Global rise in temperature Figure -5: Rise in temperature with rise in CO2


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Perhaps the ocean organism most vulnerable to temperature change is coral reefs. There isevidence that reefs will bleach (eject their symbiotic algae) at even a slight persistent temperaturerise. Bleaching slows coral growth, makes them susceptible to disease, and can lead to large-scale reef die-off.

2.2.2. Rise in Sea Level:When water heats up, it expands. Thus, the most readily apparent consequence of higher seatemperatures is a rapid rise in sea level. Sea level rise causes inundation of coastal habitats forhumans as well as plants and animals, shoreline erosion, and more powerful storm surges thatcan devastate low-lying areas.

Figure -6: Sea level rise due to global warming

2.2.3. Seasonal Variation:Bangladesh is one of the most victimized countries of the world due to the Climate Change. Sixseasons of Bangladesh now turns three seasons- Summer, Rainy and Winter. But those threedoes not continue to function with as usual rules - during summer it is so hot, during winter it isunbearable cold. Cold is regularly breaking old record and making new records. There ispossibility that people of Bangladesh will see snowing soon. There trend of long duration of thecold in winter and too warm in summer season. But rain is coming in undue t ime and most of thetime it lasts for short time. As a results; peasants start Amon paddy plant so late. Seasonalvariation has many hazardous impacts on the coastal area of our country, which can be brieflylisted as:

2.2.4. Salinity Intrusion:Salinity intrusion refers to the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, which can leadto contamination of drinking water sources and other consequences. Saline intrusion occursnaturally to some extent in most coastal aquifers, due to the hydraulic connection betweenseawater and groundwater. As saltwater has a higher mineral content than freshwater, it is denserand has a higher water pressure. So, saltwater can push inland beneath the freshwater andcontaminate it easily.


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Figure -7: The possible impacts of salinity in river water

2.2.5. Typhoons and Storm Surge:Typhoons are tropical revolving storms. They are called `Cyclones' in English, when they occurin the Indian Ocean area. The coastal regions of Bangladesh are subject to damaging cyclonesalmost every year, generally in early summer (April-May) or late rainy season (October-November). Cyclones originate from low atmospheric pressures over the Bay of Bengal.

The stress exerted by wind on water underneath is proportional to the square of the windvelocity. Thus an increase of it due to climate change will lead to higher risk of tropical storms inlow-lying coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Figure -8: Number of cyclones over the year

A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system,typically tropical cyclones and strong extra tropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily


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by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher thanthe ordinary sea level. In Bangladesh, storm surge heights in excess of 10 m are not uncommon.

2.2.6. Water Acidification:Water acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake

of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. An estimated 3040% of the carbon dioxidereleased by humans into the atmosphere dissolves into oceans, rivers and lakes. To achievechemical equilibrium, some of it reacts with the water to form carbonic acid. Some of these extracarbonic acid molecules react with a water molecule to give a bicarbonate ion and a hydroniumion, thus increasing ocean "acidity" (H+ion concentration).

Figure -9: Biological and physical pumps of carbon dioxide

Most of the top soils in the cultivated/deforested areas of the hills, terraces and other flood plains

are acidified to variable extent. Very severe forms of acidification have been observed in the

coastal areas in about 62000 ha of active acid sulphate soils. As a consequence of drainage

improvement, extreme acidity (pH 2-4) has developed along with aluminum toxicity and

phosphate fixation through microbial oxidation of pyritic sulphides to sulphates and sulphuric

acid. Potential acid sulphate soils are reported to occupy some 8000 ha in the adjoining young

tidal lands.

2.3. Consequences:

2.3.1. Loss of Lives:Country has experienced seventeen highly damaging floods in the 20th century. Sinceindependence in 1971, Bangladesh has experienced floods of a vast magnitude in 1974, 1984,1987, 1988, 1998, 2000 & 2004. The largest recorded flood in depth and duration of flooding inits history was occurred in 1998 when about 70% of the country was under water for several


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months. Area affected in percent of the total area during major flood event inundating more than20% of the countrys land area. Damages during some severe floods are presented in Table-1.

Table-1: Some notable flood and cyclone induced storm surge events and losses

2.3.2. Consequence on Fisheries:Sea level rise would change the location of the river estuary, causing a great change in fishhabitat and breeding ground. Penaid prawns breed and develop in brackish water, where saltwater and fresh water mix. Sea level rise would turn this interface backward, changing habitat ofprawn. There are 60 shrimp hatcheries and 124 shrimp processing plants in the coastal zone. Aflood, which ravaged the southwestern part of Bangladesh in 2000 caused damage or losses of at

least US$500 million to crops, fish farms, property and infrastructure. The shrimp sector was themost affected sector, losing shrimp fields of equivalent US$230 million. After the flood,representative of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters There are some areas in the coastal zonethat are far from city or fisheries service centre and have no icing facilities. Fishermen of suchareas dry fishes in open sunlight to avoid spoilage. Locally these dry fishes are known asShutki. Dry fishes are rich in nutrient value and a popular dish among the coastal people,especially in the southeastern coastal zone. The dry fish industry will also be affected by


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anticipated sea level rise.

Figure -10: Casual loop diagram of sea level rise impacts on coastal fisheries sector

2.3.3. Consequence on Agriculture:Salinity intrusion due to sea level rise will decrease agricultural production by unavailability offresh water and soil degradation.Saline containing water reduces plant growth throughconcentrating salt in the root zone of plant and resulting in nutrients imbalance and yield loss.Saline soils contain very low organic matter content such as nitrogen, phosphorus andmicronutrients like zinc and copper, resulting in huge loss of fertility. Due to lack of salt tolerantcrops, it limits crop choices. On the other hand, due to extensive cultivation of a particularcultivar of crop year after year makes the crop susceptible to pests and diseases attack.

Table-2: Declining rice production because of soil degradation

Rice is the staple food of the people of Bangladesh. It was estimated earlier that farmers of thecountry have 10,000 rice varieties in their collections. A study by BARC concluded thatsalination will cause a reduction of wheat production equivalent to US$ 586.75 million.


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Royal Bengal Tiger will face extinction. The ecosystem of the only coral island of the St.Martins island may also be affected. The coastal length covered by mangrove forest will beexposed to cyclones and storm surges.

Figure -11: Sunderbans after cyclone SIDR in 2007

2.3.8. Coral Bleaching:Coral reefs are extremely important for biodiversity, providing a home to over 25% of all marinelife. They are also vital for people and business. They provide nurseries for many species ofcommercially important fish, protection of coastal areas from storm waves, and are a significantattraction for the tourism industry.When sea surface temperatures will increase by more than 1C, coral reefs will be impacted upondetrimentally. The coral bleaching events of 1997-1998 were the most geographicallywidespread with coral reefs throughout the coastal area being affected leading to death of somecorals.

2.4. Saving Lives and Resources:

To save the lives and resources of the coastal area in Bangladesh many short term and long termmeasures have been taken, among which some are adaptation measures whereas some areprecautionary measures.

2.4. 1. Adaptation Measures:Adaptation seeks to reduce the adverse effects of sea level rise on living organisms, includinghuman and the environment. The ability to adapt and cope is a function of wealth/income,technology, scientific and technical knowledge and skills, information, infrastructure, policy andmanagement institutions and equity.

Physical adaptations aim at improving the run-off from land after flooding, whichrequires mainly two steps: (i) bringing water from the land into the main drainage systemand (ii) draining water to the sea. Step (i) presently is done under gravity, mostly throughregulators which open during low tides. When higher water levels impede this process,pumping remains the main option. Step (ii) requires a well maintained drainage network,and continuous dredging.


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Specific recommendations for adaptation to drainage congestion include physical

interventions and institutional measures. Physical adaptation includes increasing drainagecapacity of infrastructure, new regulators, tidal basins, and pumped drainage.

Tidal basins stand out as a preferred option from an environmental and maintenance

perspective. More specifically, the tidal basin experience in Khulna-Jessore DrainageRehabilitation Project should prove the feasibility of this approach in south-westBangladesh.

Specific physical adaptations for the salinity problem should focus on increasing surfacewater flows from upstream, resuscitation of river networks, increasing local storagecapacity of fresh surface or groundwater, and desalinization plants and equipment.Resuscitation of river networks, in spite of the physical constraints, could be meaningfulin the short-term especially in the south-west (e.g. Satkhira).

Land use practice can be influenced by incentives to change agricultural practices so thatagricultural demand for fresh water goes down. Therefore, a cohesive approach is

necessary with an intensification of extension services to promote changes in land-useand farm management techniques.

For the impact of increased morphological dynamics, several methods can be adopted.Physical adaptations to the threat of increased erosion would include mangrovegreenbelts, cross dams and/or river training works.

Improvement of the forecasting system seems highly promising, though implementation

could be deterred by institutional and communication problems. Increased lead time indisaster forecasting would help in preparing to meet potential dangers.

Embankments need to be maintained on a regular basis. Therefore, even thoughmaintenance of embankments is effective, they do not score high on feasibility because ofcosts and organization needed to maintain them. For its role in saving lives and property,this has been slotted as a high priority future incremental action.

2.4.2. Precautionary Measures:In decision making, the precautionary principle is considered when possibly dangerous,irreversible, or catastrophic effects are identified, but scientific evaluation of the potentialdamage is not sufficiently certain, and actions to prevent these potential adverse effects need tobe justified. Worst-case scenarios should always be considered and planned for. Even if climatechange turns out to not be as deleterious as originally thought, the precautions put in place willbe to advantage no matter what the scenario.

2.4.2.1. Raising Awareness:Awareness is an important factor for public movement and community participation. There is aneed to increase awareness of the emerging problems of climate change and sea level rise,consequently how this sea level could be mitigated or adapted with more resource utilization incoastal Bangladesh. Public awareness campaigns should focus on taking advantage of thecountrys indigenous knowledge and experience in coping with such extreme events that have


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occurred in the past, and using that to prepare for the future eventualities.

2.4.2.2. Changes of Attitude of the People and the Government:The government needs to change the existing institutional and political attitudes as to how tophase in energy intensive industries from the renewable energy sources, how to change the

behavior of the energy supply industries, how to change the behavior of energy consumers, andhow to ensure that more energy-efficient buildings and appliances are available on the localmarket, little real change can be expected.

2.4.2.3. Long-term Strategy:Climate change adaptation in coastal Bangladesh needs long-term strategy rather than a reactiveshort-term approach.

2.4.2.4. Activation of Kyoto Protocol and Other International Negotiations:Industrialized countries, including USA, the European Union, Russia, Japan and Australia, emit55% of the whole GHGs emissions. Although USA has denied ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the

treaty can still come into force. The Kyoto mechanisms are the provisions of developed countriesresponsible for most of the GHGs emission. Once operation of the CDM is left to the marketforces alone, CDM projects and transfer of technology will tend to be concentrated in developingcountries such as Bangladesh. The World Bank already launched the Prototype Carbon Fund(PCF) in January 2000, with a potential capital of $150 million, the worlds first market-basedmechanism of emission reduction efforts.

2.4.2.5. Initiative of Research and Development Programs:Adaptation or mitigation of climate change scenarios should come through extensive researchand development programs. Tidal power project is the outcome from such an innovative researchin coastal areas of Bangladesh, but there is need for further research for its broader application

throughout all the coastal areas of Bangladesh as well as other coastal areas.

2.4.2.6. Training and Educational Programs:At this moment, nobody has any practical experience on what sort of consequences would becoming from climate change. Scientists have described different consequences from climatechange. These scenarios should be communicated the other people for adequate precaution.Livelihood pattern of the local inhabitants can be improved through:

Alternative income generating activities (nakshi-kantha, utilization of micro

credits and uptake of local manpower, handicraft development through locallyavailable raw materials).

Food storage and preservation techniques, safe water supply and sanitation,

health and safety practices, better locally available low-cost but long durationhousing model etc.


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3. Conclusion:Nature and human induced changes in the global climate and associated sea level rise are widelyaccepted with policy makers and scientists. Model studies anticipate climate change in thecoming century well beyond the natural variability of the climate in the past millennia and apossibility of a climate not experienced for tens of millions of years (more than 5C warming).

Although the exact magnitude of the changes in the global climate is still uncertain and subjectof worldwide scientific studies, it is broadly recognized that Bangladesh, as a country, maysuffer the most severe impacts from climate change. To protect human societies and ecosystemsof Bangladesh, especially in coastal areas, from these risks, from these challenges, climatechange should be kept within limits. Achieving success in responding to the challenges ofclimate change for Bangladesh will rely, to a greater or lesser extent, on the nature and quality ofthe institutional arrangements that emerge or are put in place. Risk management planning shouldbe diverted towards disaster management as a major consideration in regional developmentplanning. For this, further developments of partnerships involving scientists, stakeholders and thepublic, are crucial in achieving effective climate risk management. Also as a developing countryof the third world, it is important for Bangladesh to get the assistance of the international

community, whose cooperation will surely help the country to mitigate the effects of climatechange. We can only hope that Bangladesh will be able to establish an elaborate and experienceddisaster management system against climate change, to save the lives and resources from itsdestructive effect.

4. Recommendations:

The impacts of climate change will materialize gradually over the next century and

beyond, by taking action now we have time to develop a well considered, well

managed, and staged adaptation plan to reduce risks and avoid creating new risks.

States, territories, local government, industry and communities will play a vital role inon-ground coastal adaptation action. In particular government roles in planning and

setting benchmarks will be central to risk management and in managing the large

number of public assets in the coastal region.

Improving forecasting, warning, adapting land use and development policy response

relate to an improved emergency preparedness for coastal storms.

Land use development policy seems an effective tool.

Awareness is an important factor for public movement and community participation.

There is a need to increase awareness of the emerging problems of climate change and

sea level rise.

Electronic and print media can play a pivotal role in raising public awareness.

The government should change the existing institutional and political attitudes as to

how to phase in energy intensive industries from the renewable energy sources, how to

change the behavior of the energy supply industries, how to change the behavior of the

energy consumers etc.


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5. Appendix

Questionnaire

1. Is climate change a threat to the existence of coastal area of Bangladesh?

Yes

No

2.

Will climate change cause heavy life loss is our coastal area?

Yes

No

3. Is climate change affecting our economy?

Yes

No

4. Is climate change causing harm to coastal biodiversity?

Yes No

5. Is public health of coastal area at stake due to salinity intrusion?

Yes

No

6. Do we need green belt surrounding coastal area?

Yes

No

7. Do you think people need to be more cautious about environment pollution?

Yes

No

8. Do you think strict laws should be imposed concerning industrial pollution in coastal area?

Yes

No

9. Do you think government-people partnership is required for the survival of coastal people?

Yes

No

10.Do you think existing adaptation measures are sufficient to mitigate future loss of lives and

resources?

Yes

No


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5. Appendix

Abbreviations

THC- Thermohaline Circulation

GHG- Greenhouse GasCDM- Clean Development Mechanism

WB- World Bank

PETM- Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

GDP- Gross Domestic Product

BRRI- Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

IRRI- International Rice Research Institute

BARC- Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council

BCCSAP- Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

BCCRF- Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund

UNFCCC- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change


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6. List of References

1. Kiran Pandey, Mainul Huq, Malik Fida Khan, M.M. Zahid Ahmed, Nandan Mukherjee,

Susmita Dasgupta, Zahirul Huq Khan. (2010). Vulnerability of Bangladesh to Cyclones in aChanging Climate.

2. Keith D Cundale. (2008). Climate Change and its impact on Bangladesh : Technical appraisalof the institutional implications and considerations.

3. Anwar Ali. (1999). Climate change impacts and adaptation assessment in Bangladesh.

4. Jeroen P. van der Sluijs & Wim C. Turkenburg. (2006). Climate change and the Precautionary

Principle.

5. Jerker Tamelander and Arjan Rajasuriya. (2007). Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia:Bangladesh, Chagos, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

6. Sirajur Rahman Khan. (2009). CYCLONE HAZARD IN BANGLADESH.

7. Md. Golam Mahabub Sarwar. (2005). Impacts of Sea Level Rise on the Coastal Zone of

Bangladesh.

8. Lubna Seal & Mohammed Abdul Baten. (2012). Salinity Intrusion in Interior Coast: A NewChallenge to Agriculture in South Central part of Bangladesh.

9. NCDO. (2012, April 4). Climate Change & its Impacts on Bangladesh. Retrieved

from the NCDO website: http://www.ncdo.nl

10. Wikipedia. (2014, February 19). Climate change. Retrieved from the Wikipedia website:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change

11. Wikipedia. (2013, July 12). Climate change in Bangladesh. Retrieved from the Wikipediawebsite: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Bangladesh


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7. Glossary

Thermohaline circulation It refers to the flow of ocean water caused by change in density

Albedo - It is the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it

Evapo-transpiration Evapo-transpiration is the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration

from the Earth's land and Ocean surface to the atmosphereWeathering - Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soil and minerals as well as artificial

materials through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters

Glaciation - It is an interval of time (thousands of years) within an ice age that is marked by

colder temperatures and glacier advances

Oxygenic photosynthesis - The type of photosynthesis which releases oxygen

Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum - It refers to a time interval that began at the temporal

boundary between the Paleocene and Eocene epochs

Phytoplankton Microscopic plant-like organisms which are the base of the marine food web

Azolla It is a unique plant that can help reduce man-made climate change and provide

biofertilizer, livestock feed, food and renewable energy anywhere in the world

Tectonic plate It is a massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock

Topography - The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area

Anthropogenesis The scientific study of origin and development of humans

Fossil The preserved remains of traces of animals, plants and other organisms from the remote

past

Penaid A type of shrimp

Micronutrient - Micronutrients are nutrients required by humans and other organisms

throughout life in small quantities to orchestrate a range of physiological functions

Hydrology - Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earthand other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed

sustainability

Tidal basin It is a partially man made reservoir

Documents

Impact of Climate Change in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh