Climate change is not just an environmental concern. It is a humanitarian crisis. A study by the UN’s World Meteorological Organization revealed that last five years have cumulatively been the hottest on record. This report, sidelined by the US elections, is a timely reminder that the consequences of global warming are inevitable.
In 2010, National Geographic ranked India and Bangladesh as the two countries to be most affected by climate change. With millions expected to witness drought and displacement, it is worth taking a look at how the two countries share a common enemy in climate change.
Being agriculture-led economies, both India and Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable to variations in global temperatures as they rely on seasonal rainfall, local water bodies, and climate-controlled harvests. Crop yields in South Asia alone are expected to decrease by 30% by the middle of the 21st century.
Coastal regions are the next most obvious victims – with cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Dhaka most at risk. Bangladesh, estimated to be the worst-hit, will see the displacement of up to 30 million if sea levels rise by even 30-40 cm. Those who stay behind are left to face salinated drinking water. Displacement is often the only option for survival.
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