Examine the various drivers of environmental degradation and climate change in Bangladesh and identify the major environmental problems of Bangladesh. An ecosystem is a biological environment that consists of all the organisms that live in a given area, as well as all the nonliving, physical components of the environment that organisms interact with, such as air, soil, water, and sunlight. On the other hand, some ecosystems can be physically small, such as a meadow at the edge of a forest or a coral reef in the ocean.
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment due to the depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. The United Nations International Disaster Reduction Strategy defines environmental degradation as “the reduction in the ability of the environment to meet social and environmental objectives and needs.” The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines it as a change in climate attributed directly or indirectly to human activity, which changes the composition of the global atmosphere.
Environmental degradation is to a large extent the result of market failure, ie the non-existent or poorly functioning markets for environmental goods and services. In this context, environmental degradation is a specific case of consumption or production externalities reflected by divergence between private and social costs. Lack of well-defined property rights may be one of the reasons for such market failure.
On the other hand, market distortions caused by price controls and subsidies can make the achievement of environmental objectives more difficult.
Political and Administrative Factors Political and Administrative Factors
Lack of quality of visionary leadership, traditional policy making role of politicians and improper practice of environmental policies adopted by Bangladesh government are responsible for environmental degradation.
Environmental Factors Environmental Factors
Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide SO2 from coal mine emissions combines with moisture present in the air. Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to damage to high-elevation trees and many sensitive forest soils.
This action has been going on for many millions of years, but naturally occurring nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere have apparently kept the ozone concentration fairly stable.
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN BANGLADESH Because of its geographical
- WATER POLLUTION
- AIR POLLUTION
- SOUND POLLUTION
- RIVER POLLUTION
- Depletion of biodiversity
- Natural disaster
- Deforestation
Among the surface waters, the Buriganga River in Dhaka is the most polluted. Air pollution is a major environmental concern in Bangladesh, especially in its large cities, including the capital Dhaka. The World Bank has estimated that air pollution causes nearly 15,000 premature deaths in Bangladesh every year with millions of cases of disease, and its economic cost is about US$200-800 million per year, which is nearly o.7 to 3.
In the absence of a traffic rule that curbs the use of horns, the noise problem has become acute in many parts of cities and towns. Bangladesh has about 230 small and large rivers, and a large part of the country's people depend on them for livelihood and transportation. But the once mighty Buriganga River is now one of the most polluted rivers in Bangladesh due to rampant dumping of industrial and human waste.
A World Bank study shows that four major rivers near Dhaka – the Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag and Balu – receive 1.5 million cubic meters of wastewater from 7,000 industrial units and another 0.5 million cubic meters every day. The depletion of biodiversity is the result of various types of human development interventions and activities, especially in the areas of agriculture, urbanization, industry, chemicals, transportation and energy. Soil erosion is the country's most serious and common disease leading to environmental degradation.
Large areas of hill districts of Bangladesh have been so damaged due to soil erosion that they can no longer be used to grow anything of value to humans. Global temperatures will rise by up to 2 degrees Celsius in the South Asian region, including Bangladesh, and millions of people living in low-lying coastal areas in Bangladesh are predicted to be displaced as sea levels rise by up to 15 cm by 2030. Soil erosion in the hilly areas has adverse effects on water bodies like rivers, canals, dams, wetlands etc.
Bangladesh is most vulnerable to many natural disasters and every year natural disasters threaten the lives of people in some part of the country. According to ecologists, 25% of the total area should be covered by forest for a suitable environment. In the 1980s, the rate of deforestation in the country was 8,000 hectares per year.
Impact of Climate Change: Global PerspectiveImpact of Climate Change: Global Perspective
Impact of Climate Change: Global ScenarioImpact of Climate Change: Global Scenario
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-1 Unless action is taken now to limit carbon release in the
Climate change and its impact on Bangladesh-1 If action is not taken now to limit the release of carbon in.
Bangladesh and Climate Change (2)
Climate Change and its Impact (3)
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-4
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-4 In Bangladesh, climate change will affect many sectors,
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-5
Rising sea levels will gradually inundate Bangladesh’s coast and river erosion will destroy land and homes,
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-6
About 20 million people in the coastal areas of Bangladesh are
Climate induce ChallengesClimate induce Challenges
The concept of environment was expanded into the larger areas of social, economic and political sectors through this conference held in 1972. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established in 1988, has since been relentless in researching various phenomena related to changes in global climatic conditions and raise public opinion and awareness to take necessary steps to confront the potential challenges.
International initiatives International initiatives
KYOTO PROTOCOL
ROLE OF UN
ROLE OF IUCN AND GREENPEACE
CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP)
NATIONAL INITIATIVES
- Vision 2021: "All measures will be taken to protect Bangladesh, including planned migration abroad, from the adverse effects of climate change and
- Sixth Five Year Plan : ‘Bangladesh Sixth Five Year Plan FY2011-15’ provides strategic directions and policy framework of Climate Change adaptation for
- SDG Goals: In September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a new development agenda for the period 2016-2030 supporting three pillar of
- Other Policy Documents
Vision All measures will be taken to protect Bangladesh, including planned migration abroad, from the adverse effects of climate change and planned migration abroad, from the adverse effects of climate change and global warming.” Sixth Five Year Plan: 'Bangladesh' Sixth Five Year Plan FY2011-15' provides strategic directions and policy framework for climate change adaptation for strategic directions and policy framework for climate change adaptation to accelerate growth and reduce poverty in the country. SDG goals: In September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a new development agenda for the period 2016-2030, which supports three pillars of the development agenda for the period 2016-2030, which supports three pillars of sustainability, e.g.
Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan in Bangladesh approved by the government in 2009 after wide consultation with the government and NGO sector, development partners, experts, academia etc. Vision 2041: Vision 2041 highlights the issues associated with global warming earth, environmental degradation and climate change problems. Delta Plan-2100: The Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100 is an integrated long-term techno-economic mega plan that integrates all delta-related sector plans and policies, encapsulates a Delta Vision and strategies that enable integration of sector plans and policies. long-term policy and to present feasible interventions with a roadmap for realization.
The Government of Bangladesh approved the Delta Plan 2100 on 4 September 2018 to secure the future of water resources and mitigate the likely effects of climate change and natural disasters. The Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100 is a long-term vision of the likely changes and interventions needed to make the Bangladesh Delta safe by the end of the twenty-first century. It has been observed that other national sectoral policy documents currently under review also consider the effects of climate change and make policy proposals to combat them.
National environmental policy, air pollution control, ecology conservation, industrial pollution control, noise pollution control, biodiversity conservation, ozone layer protection, national water policy.
Ahmed, Yasmeen (1995), “Environmental Degradation and Natural Disasters
Gain, Philip (1998), Bangladesh Environment : Facing the 21st Century, Dhaka : Society for Environment and Human development (SHED)
Bangladesh State of Environment Report, 2001, Department of Environment/UNEP
Bangladesh Environment 2001, Unnyan Shamannay, UPL
Munir uz Zaman, M., Aspects of Environmental Degradation in Bangladesh
Study by Environmental Protection Department of Bangladesh 2008, Air Quality Management Project, Department of Environment, GoB
PERSONAL INITIATIVES
