Humanity in Bangladesh is under threat due to its limited capacity to face the greatest risks of

climate vulnerability and requires international support to finance adaptation for creating the

most sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world without jeopardizing the needs of the future

generations.

Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Every year we become

the victim of vulnerable weather, including sudden temperature drops, cyclones, erosion,

droughts, earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc. In the year 2023, various natural catastrophes

attacked Bangladesh, including Cyclone Mocha, one of the strongest storms among them.

Frequent power cuts have hit millions of Bangladeshi citizens in recent months. On average,

cyclones happen about 4 times a year and the most affected regions are Khulna, Chittagong, and

Barisal. Since August 5, 2023, continuous monsoon rains have affected Chattogram, Cox’s

Bazar, Rangamati, and Bandarban in Bangladesh. 1.3 million people including 630,000 women

and 480,000 children (0-18 years old) are affected and 600,000 people are in need in four

districts (Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, and Bandarban), with 51 deaths reported by

UNICEF.

The geographical features like the Bengal Delta and Low-lying, smooth landscape make the

region more susceptible to flooding. According to the research report published by Grantham

Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and Centre for Climate Change

Economics, peak river flow could rise by 36% between 2070 and 2099 if global emission

continues at this rate. Nearly 60% of Bangladesh’s population is exposed to high flood risk. The

report further said that even if the emission level remains low, floods will surge by 16 percent

during this time compared to 1971–2000. The FFWC's data revealed that around 94 percent of

Sunamganj and over 84 percent of Sylhet were submerged by this flood. Over 7.2 million people

were affected, and hundreds of thousands of households were isolated by floodwaters


People in the north district area of Bangladesh especially Tetulia and Panchagarh Kurigram are

under the influence of a severe cold wave and have been experiencing severe cold coupled with

dense fog in the past few days, which has made the poor and low-income day laborers worse

sufferers amid the spine-chilling cold and compelling them to stay indoors.

Many studies occurred this year to identify the intensity of climate change, and all of them show

the massive and widespread impact of climate change on Earth due to human activities like the

burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas) increasing heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in

the Earth’s atmosphere.

According to the report of NYC Environmental Protection in “Overview of Climate Change in

New York City,” carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion and

industrialization (primarily coal, fuel oil, or natural gas) are the primary causes of climate

change. These are the main contributors to climate change because they release planet-warming

greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide when burned for energy.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come almost entirely from the combustion of fossil fuels to

provide energy. Methane (CH4) has a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide


(CO2). Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual

balance of nature, posing many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth.

The aforementioned impacts of environmental change indicate the urgent need for immediate

action, not only to reduce temperature rise but also to limit global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F)

across all sectors

According to the IPCC report in “CLIMATE CHANGE 2023” Global GHG emissions in 2030

implied by nationally determined contributions (NDCs) announced by October 2021 make it

likely that warming will exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century and make it harder to limit

warming below 2°C. Due to this global warming uncontrollable and devastating impact of

climate has become an inseparable part of our day-to-day calendar all around the world. Human

activity, characterized by industrialization, the relentless clearing of land for agriculture, and

unabated population growth, stands as the principal catalyst behind the earth's pervasive and

extreme climate fluctuations. This threatening arc poses a potent threat to global stability,

pushing temperatures extremely close to a tipping point.

As the impact of climate change intensifies every year we should come forward at both

individual and government levels to start a movement for bringing positive changes. Much

research is conducted and many discussions are organized all around the world, to spread

awareness and motivate others to take action. In these circumstances, national leaders worldwide

are coming together to develop sustainable development goals and urging individuals to

contribute separately to slowing climate change.

UN Climate Change conferences (COPs) which is a multidimensional decision-making forum on

climate change take place every year. The COP 28 conference for this year was held in Dubai,

United Arab Emirates (UAE). Initially scheduled to run from November 30 to December 12,

2023, it extended by a day. Several countries, including the US, UK, EU, and nations particularly

vulnerable to climate change, sought a commitment to "phase out" fossil fuels. They aimed to

triple the capacity of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power while urging

countries to expedite the adoption of low- and zero-emission technologies, such as carbon

capture and storage. In COP28 almost 100,000 diplomats, journalists, politicians, and

campaigners all around the world declared the urgent need to take action to limit the temperature

rise which has been predicted to be raised to 2.7°C by 2100. An agreement was reached to

launch a long-awaited "loss and damage" fund to provide financial assistance for climate-

induced damage from storms and drought.

COP 28 has seen the overarching goal of a fossil fuel phase-out jeopardized by the reluctance of

many developed nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and the EU, to fully acknowledge their

historic responsibility for climate breakdown. Despite strong advocacy for transition, the final

deal lacks recognition of the disproportionate impact on developing nations that contributed

minimally to the crisis. Developing countries are rightfully demanding a  'fast, fair, funded, and

forever; phase-out, underscoring the need for equity.

According to the Grantham Research Institute research report to create a sustainable future we

need to adopt a few innovative ways of thinking and bring fundamental changes to social,


political, and economic systems. Moreover, we need to design better environmental policies to

accelerate the withdrawal of fossil fuel and carbon dioxide use. More developed countries and

international and financial organizations should come forward to give financial support to

vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.



The writer is a Senior Human resources manager at Uttara Crescent Hospital &

Former Lecturer at South East University