Climate change to displace over 95mn in Bangladesh

IANS/Dhaka

Climate change in Bangladesh will force the displacement of over 95mn people by 2040, says a new report by a local think tank.

The report titled “The Tempest of Exodus: The Case of Climate Change-induced Displacement in Bangladesh and International Negotiations” has been prepared by think tank Unnayan Onneshan, Xinhua reported.

The study said flood may displace 5.25mn by 2020, 11.02mn by 2030, and 23.16mn people by 2040 based upon the historical trend.

Likewise, if radical actions are not taken, 1.58mn may be displaced due to cyclone by 2020, 6.46mn by 2030 and 26.39mn people by 2040.

In addition, riverbank erosion could displace 11.62mn by 2020, 26.15mn by 2030 and 40.67mn by 2040. Drought may also lead to the exodus of 3.92mn, 4.64mn and 5.5mn people by 2020, 2030 and 2040.

Taking into account all these situations, the research group estimated that climate change-induced migration in Bangladesh may reach 22.37mn, 48.28mn and 95.72mn by 2020, 2030 and 2040.

The Unnayan Onneshan said that on an average, 2.5mn people are displaced permanently by every major flood.

A new World Bank report published Nov 18 said the sea level would rise by up to three feet in Bangladesh where water scarcity and falling crop yield exacerbate hunger and poverty.

The report titled “Turn Down the Heat” said all nations would suffer the effects of a warmer world, but it is the world’s poorest countries that will be hit hardest by food shortages, rising sea levels, cyclones and drought.

It also said some of the most highly vulnerable cities are located in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mexico and Venezuela.