Bangladesh as a nation stands at ground zero in the face of climate change crunch. It is well supported with evidence that the unique geographical location with complex physical environment has put Bangladesh at the epicentre of one of the greatest threats that mankind has ever faced. Sited in the Bengal delta, it’s one of the most fertile regions on earth, but not prone to the natural calamities. Population in the area have been living under the natural calamities for generations; hence they have naturally developed strong individual and community resilience in a dynamic way. While the impacts of climate change are intensifying – increasingly people will have to build extra resilient communities to prepare for the worst.
I start to wonder if I am being too pessimistic and sounding more like the doomsday is approaching. May be it is too harsh but surely Bangladesh has got an impending crisis in its hand and bearing the biggest burnt of the impacts of climate change. From inundating low-lying coastal areas to stronger cyclones, increased coastal erosion and flooding, intrusion of saline water, changing patterns in crops and vegetation, risk of spread of infectious diseases and environmental refugee are among few noticeable problems. No doubt, it is a matter of great concern and The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has taken it very seriously. In 2005, the Government of Bangladesh developed the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) after extensive consultations with the public and private sectors, with different communities and other members of civil society. Subsequently Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) were also adopted in September 2008 with the aim to tackle climate change impacts for next 10 (2009 – 2018) years, also capacity building for next 20 - 25 years.
It says - ‘it’s better late than never’. Even if it is late but at best the mitigation and adaptation process and the overall national efforts to build resilience has started. Long before the unforeseen consequences of climate change, Bangladeshi people had to adapt themselves with the heavy rainfalls, floods, droughts, cyclones for generations. People built their houses on the mounds and raised the rural roads and paths where there have been risks of flooding. Farmers watched very carefully seasonal patterns before planting their crops, planting more water tolerant and high-yield crops (e.g. different varieties of rice, alternative cereals) as the knowledge and availability of seeds grew over the years, moving to temporary storm shelters, and also moving their domestic animals to safer places. Most of the cases no one had to teach them – life experiences have been their best teacher.
Among others, one of the biggest challenges that GoB has to tackle is the climate refugee issues. Comprehensive surveys carried out in 2010 by over 200 community-based organisations and coordinated by the remarkable efforts of the Association of Climate Refugees found that a staggering 6.5 million citizens (1.3 million households) of Bangladesh have already been displaced by the effects of climate change (Leckie et al, 2011). The need for solution for climate displacement people and improvement of data collection of migration from the affected areas are absolutely paramount.
However, there are no clear indications how population displacement problems will be addressed in the policies (Akter, 2009). In addition, there are no detailed action plans with a timeframe to tackle this problem. By and large, GoB has provided support and rehabilitation programmes when it is needed on the ground after the event of any natural disaster but this support has been somewhat peace-meal and sporadic basis. Negligence, corruption and favour people who support the same political party in power over others by the local disaster management authority should be avoided primarily for the greater benefit of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
Affected local communities should be recognised as the most important party to get involved in the community based adaptation process. First question needed to be asked – what the community wants and then choosing the right issues & methods to combat the impacts. Local community should be motivated to be involved and the authority (e.g. local government) should value their involvement, besides the authority need to be clear about how the community will be benefitted from participating in such initiatives. Using their local understandings and making sure that the right priority to the right community in adaptation measures is being deployed. Furthermore, non-biased participation is very much needed and not only government experts or the bureaucrats but also experts from wider public sector should be involved in the public participation process.
Last but not least, everything is meaningless if actions are not behind the words. Repeatedly, it’s been pointed out that having plethora of national policies to tackle climate change wouldn't help if they are not respected and implemented appropriately. Making people aware of climate change impacts by balance and accurate reporting on the newspapers, local and national radios and TVs, also communicating the causes of global warming and climate change, what government is doing about it and sharing community best practices in adaptation processes are absolutely crucial.
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