Environmental Degradation and

Climate Change: Bangladesh Perspective

Saida Mahamuda Rahman

Lecturer
Department of Development Studies
Daffodil International University (DIU)
Objectives of this lecture
❑ Define the concepts environment, eco-system, environmental
degradation, climate change
❑ Examine various factors of environmental degradation and
climate change in Bangladesh and Identify the major
environmental problems of Bangladesh.
❑ Investigate the impact on climate change and what would be the
way out for development.
❑ Know about international initiatives for sustainable
environment as well as government initiatives for environmental
protection and Development in Bangladesh.
Conceptual Analysis

Environment
❑ The term environment has been derived from
french word “environia” means to surround. It
refers to both abiotic (physical or non-living) and
biotic (living) environment.

❑ Environment is surrounding atmosphere or

condition for existence. It is an essential natural
process or an outcome of occurrence.
Ecosystem
Ecosystem is a biological environment
consisting of all the organisms living in
a particular area, as well as all the
nonliving, physical components of the
environment with which the organisms
interact, such as air, soil, water, and
sunlight.

Some ecosystems are very large. For

example, many bird species nest in one
place and feed in a completely different
area. On the other hand, some
ecosystems may be physically small,
such as you would find in a meadow at
the edge of a forest, or in a coral reef in
the ocean.
 Environmental Degradation
❑ Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment
through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction
of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. The United Nations
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction defines environmental
degradation as “the reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet
social and ecological objectives, and needs”.
Climate Change
❑ The climate of a region or city is its typical or average weather.
Climate change, therefore, is a change in the typical or average
weather of a region or city. The United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines it as a change of
climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity,
altering the composition of the global atmosphere. Human activity
includes the pollution that arises from industrial activity and other
sources that produce greenhouse gases. These gases, such as
carbon dioxide, have the ability to absorb the spectrum of infrared
light and contribute to the warming of our atmosphere.

Source: Alexandra Simon-Lewis (2017). What is climate change? The definition causes and effects.
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/what-is-climate-change-definition-causes-effects
Causes of Environmental Degradation
I. Social Factors
a) Population
Population impacts on the environment
primarily through the use of natural
resources and production of wastes and is
associated with environmental stresses like
loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution
and increased pressure on arable land.

World population Growth

Year World Population

1800 1 Billion

1950 2.5 Billion

2000 6 Billion

2011 7 Billion
b) Poverty
Poverty is said to be cause and effect of
environmental degradation. When
people not have the basic necessities for
survival. For instance, they may be
starving for clean water, proper housing,
sufficient clothing or medicines and be
struggling to stay alive.
c) Urbanization
Lack of opportunities for gainful
employment in villages and the ecological
stresses is leading to an ever increasing
movement of poor families to towns.
Mega cities and unplanned urbanisation
are emerging and urban slums are
expanding.
 II. Economic Factors
a) Market Failure
To a large extent, environmental degradation
is the result of market failure, that is, the non-
existent or poorly functioning markets for
environmental goods and services. This
context, environmental degradation is a
particular 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 created by price controls
and subsidies may aggravate the achievement
of environmental objectives.
b) Economic development
The level and pattern of economic development affect the nature of
environmental problems. Especially Industrialization based economic
development has resulted in environmental degradation. The manufacturing
technology adopted by the industries has played load on environment through
intensive resource and energy use which resulted the water, air and land
contamination, and degradation of natural eco-systems.
c) Impacts of Agriculture Development
Agricultural development contribute
to soil erosion, land salination and
loss of nutrients. For example, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) identifies agriculture as the
primary source of water pollution.
Shifting cultivation has also been an
important cause of land degradation.
Leaching from extensive use of
pesticides and fertilizers is an
important source of contamination of
water bodies. Intensive agriculture
and irrigation contribute to land
degradation also.
d) Transport activities
Transport activities have a wide variety of effects on the environment such as air
pollution, noise from road traffic and oil spills from marine shipping. The World Health
Organization (WHO) says vehicular air pollution is a major cause of respiratory distress in
urban Bangladesh. World Bank (2007) estimated about 15,000 premature deaths due to
poor air quality in Dhaka city. The total population of registered motorized vehicles in the
Bangladesh stands at 1.75 millions.

Source: CASE Report ‘Emission Inspection of In use Vehicle in Bangladesh (2012)

III. Political and Administrative Factors

Lack of visionary leadership quality, traditional policy making role of

politicians and improper practice of environmental policy which approved by
the government of Bangladesh are responsible for environmental
degradation. As well as the administrative reasons are:

❑ Lack of expansion of regulatory activity and growing complexity

❑ Lack of growing environmental awareness
❑ Lack of growing impact of environmental law
❑ Lack of changing environmental problems
❑ Lack of changing patterns of public administration
IV. Environmental Factors

a) Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation carries long term
environmental impacts some of which can
destroy entire ecosystems. Where an
ecosystem is a distinct unit and includes all
the living and non-living elements that
reside within it. Plants and animals are
obvious members, but it will also include
other components on which they rely on
such as streams, lakes, and soils. Habitats
become fragmented when development
breaks up solid stretches of land. Examples
include roads which may cut through forests
or even trails which wind through prairies.
While it may not sound all bad on the
surface, there are serious consequences.
b) Water and Air Pollution

Water and air pollution are

unfortunately the common causes of
environmental degradation. Pollution
introduces contaminants into the
environment that can maim or even kill
plant and animal species. The two
often go hand in hand. Water, air and
soil pollution, along with other
environmental factors, contribute to 40
percent of deaths worldwide each year.
c) Acid Rain
Acid rain occurs when sulfur
dioxide SO2 from coal plant
emissions combines with
moisture present in the air. A
chemical reaction creates this
acid rainfall. Acid rain can
acidify and pollute lakes and
streams. It causes similar effects
to the soil. Acid rain causes
acidification of lakes and
streams and contributes to the
damage of trees at high
elevations and many sensitive
forest soils.
d) Distraction of Ozone Layer
Ozone layer, a region of the
atmosphere from 19 to 48 km
(12 to 30 mile) above earth’s
surface. Ozone concentrations
of up to 10 parts per million
occur in the ozone layer. The
ozone forms there by the
action of sunlight on oxygen.

This action has been taking

place for many millions of
years, but naturally occurring
nitrogen compounds in the
atmosphere apparently have
kept the ozone concentration
at a fairly stable.
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN BANGLADESH
Because of its geographical
location, Bangladesh suffers ❑ Water Pollution
from a range of environmental ❑ Air Pollution
problems, arising from drought, ❑ Sound Pollution
flood and other natural hazards. ❑ River Pollution
Frequencies of hazards are on ❑ Depletion of Biodiversity
the increase day by day. Like ❑ Natural Disaster
other third world countries,
❑ Deforestation
Bangladesh is facing a number
of different environmental crises ❑ Soil erosion
such as:
1. WATER POLLUTION
The increasing urbanization and industrialization of
Bangladesh have negative implications for water
quality. The pollution from industrial and urban
waste effluents, and from agrochemicals in some
water bodies and rivers have reached alarming
levels. Among the surface water, the worst polluted
water are in the River Buriganga situated in Dhaka.
The 2nd most polluted river is the Shitalakhya,
flowing from the east of Dhaka.
Groundwater was treated as the best source of safe Buriganga river in 1980’s
water, before arsenic contamination. But today 54
per cent of tubewells were found to have fecal
contamination, due to poor wellhead design, faulty
construction and management. (Haque, B.A. (1998)
Biological Contamination of Tube well Water,
ICDDRB, Bangladesh)

Buriganga river in present

2. AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is a big environmental
concern in Bangladesh particularly its big
cities including capital Dhaka.
World Bank has estimated that almost
15, 000 premature death with million
cases of sickness occur annually in
Bangladesh due to air pollution and its
economic cost is around US$200-800
million per year which is almost o.7 to 3
% of country’s total GDP.
(World Bank Report 2007)

Vehicle emission, emission from

traditional brick kiln, re-suspension of
road dust, construction work, biomass
burning etc. are the main sources of air
pollution in Bangladesh.
3. SOUND POLLUTION
The incidence of sound pollution in Bangladesh is becoming a problem of far-reaching
consequences. In the absence of a traffic rule curbing the use of horns, the noise problem
has become acute in many parts of the cities and towns. Motor cars, trucks, buses, trains,
construction works and noises from industrial plants are sources of noise pollution. The
level of noise pollution in 10 representative areas in Dhaka city has been specified as
follows:
Areas Type of area Observed db Permissible Level of
limit pollution
Shakahry patty Residential area 75.5 db 45 db 25.5
Dhaka medical college Silent zone 70.8 db 45 db 25.8
hospital
Nabisco biscuit factory Industrial area 89 db 75 db 14

Mohakhali bus terminal Busy traffic 89 db 85 db 04

New market Commercial area 86.4 db 70 db 16.4

Mouchak Mixed area 92.6 db 60 db 30.6

Source: (Bangladesh State of Environment Report 2000)

4. RIVER POLLUTION
Bangladesh has about 230 small and large
rivers, and a large portion of the country’s
people depend on them for a living and for
transportation. But experts say that many of
them are drying up because of pollution and
encroachment. Buriganga was once the
lifeline of the Bangladesh capital. But the
once mighty buriganga river, is now one of
the most polluted rivers in Bangladesh
because of rampant dumping of industrial
and human waste.
A world bank study said four major rivers
near Dhaka – the buriganga, Shitalakhya,
Turag and Balu receive 1.5 million cubic
metres of waste water every day from 7,000
industrial units and another 0.5 million cubic
metres from other sources.
25
5. Depletion of biodiversity
The depletion of biodiversity is the result of various
kinds of human development interventions and
activities, especially in the areas of agriculture,
urbanization, industries, chemicals, transport and
energy. Once Bangladesh had rich species diversity.
The natural forests were undisturbed and used to
support a heterogeneous vegetation. Due to the
raising of plantations with single crops, now the floral
diversity has been reduced and forests have decreased
significantly over the last few decades. The annual
deforestation rate is estimated to be around 3.3
percent. It was identified 12 species of wildlife as
extinct in Bangladesh (Source: Husain, K.Z. 1974. An
introduction to the wildlife of Bangladesh. Dhaka,
Page: 78).
6. SOIL EROSION
Soil erosion is the most serious and prevalent
disease of the land that arises environmental
degradation. Vast areas of hill districts of
Bangladesh have been so damaged due to soil
erosion that they no longer can be used to
grow anything of value to human beings. The
loss of soil fertility and potential production,
watershed siltation through erosion and soil
degradation facilitates natural disaster. Global
temperature will rise up to 2 degree Celsius in
the South Asian region including Bangladesh
and it is predicted that millions of peoples
living in low lying coastal areas in Bangladesh
could be come displaced as sea level rise by up
to 15 cm by 2030. Soil erosion in the hilly areas
resulted adverse effect on water bodies like
rivers, canals, ponds, wetlands etc.
7. Natural disaster
Bangladesh is most vulnerable to several Major Cyclones that hit Bangladesh
natural disasters and every year natural Coast
calamities upset people's lives in some
part of the country. The major disasters Year Cyclone type Causality
concerned here are the occurrences of
flood, cyclone and storm surge, flash October 1960 Severe Storm 10,000 people
flood, drought, riverbank erosion, and died
landslide. November Severe Storm The official death
The effects of natural the calamities 1970 toll was 500,000
beggar description. Floods hits our
country during the rainy season when April Severe Storm 150,000 people
there is excessive rainfall. Cyclone and 1991 died
drought occur in summer when the
weather is extremely hot and dry. November 2007 Cyclone Sidr causing over
And earthquakes also occasionally 2,000 deaths
occur in our country. They cause heavy May Cyclone Aila 330 people died
damage to our life and properties. 2009
Houses are destroyed, cattle are washed
away, crops are greatly damaged and Source: Bangladesh Meteorological
trees are uprooted.
Department 1988, BBS, 1998 and Wikipedia
8. Deforestation
Deforestation is a major threat of Bangladesh.
According to the ecologists, for livable environment
there should be forest on the 25% land of the total
area. In Bangladesh there is 16% forest of the total
land. So, if we destroy trees at random, one day
Bangladesh will turn into a great desert. All living
animals and birds will not find any food or shelter to
live in, they will destroyed. There will be no rain and as
a result Bangladesh’s agriculture will face a great
crisis. The temperature will rise and it will cause green
house effect. Bangladesh will be unsuitable for living
and natural calamities like flood, drought, storm will
visit our country.

In 1910, the country’s population was 40 million but

now it has more than 150 million. In the 1980s, the
rate of destruction of forests in the country was 8,000
hectares per year. Now it has gone up to 37,700
hectares per year. The annual deforestation rate is
3.3%.
29
Impact of Climate Change: Global Perspective

On Climate Change, the Earth’s temperature

is likely to increase by 2 to 4.5 degrees
Celsius by the end of the century. According
to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), sea levels are expected to rise
by 0.18 to 0.59 meters during that time.

The US Environmental Protection Agency

states that if polar ice continues to melt in
step with global average temperature, sea
levels could increase by 0.49 to 0.79 meters
by 2100.
Impact of Climate Change: Global Scenario

It is anticipated that, by 2020, from 500 to

750 million people will be affected by
water stress caused by climate change
around the world.

Sea level will rise 2% in the year 2020, 4%

by 2050 and 17.5% by 2100.

It will affect agriculture, hamper food

security, create health hazard, and
aggravate poverty. Around 40% - 45% of
Green House Gas (GHG) emissions are
required to be reduced by 2020 and 90–
95% by 2050.
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-1
Unless action is taken now to limit carbon release in the atmosphere,
South Asia would suffer more droughts and floods, rising sea levels and
declines in food production. IPCC findings also states that a 45 cm
sea-level rise will inundate almost 10.9% of the territory of
Bangladesh and will displace 5.5 million population of coastal
regions. In Bangladesh, 40% of productive land is projected to be lost
in the southern region of Bangladesh for a 65cm sea level rise by the
2080s.

Flood areas could increase by as much as 29% for an increase of 2.5°C in

Bangladesh. With the rise of sea-level up to one meter only, Bangladesh
could lose up to 15% of its land area under the sea water and around
30 million people living in the coastal areas of Bangladesh could
become Refugees because of Climate Change impacts.
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-2
In Bangladesh, climate change will affect many sectors, including
water resources (surface and ground water), agriculture and food
security, ecosystems and biodiversity, human health and coastal
zones. Many environmental and developmental problems will be
worsened by climate change. Predicted rainfall increases,
particularly during the summer monsoon, could increase flood
prone areas in Bangladesh.

These and the many other adverse effects of climate change will have
profound repercussions for the economy and development of the country.
It is predicted that climate change could have devastating impact on
agriculture which is a key economic driver in Bangladesh, accounting for
nearly 20 percent of the GDP and 65 percent of the labor force.
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-3
Rising sea levels will gradually inundate Bangladesh’s coast and
river erosion will destroy land and homes, property and
livelihoods. It is estimated that rising sea levels alone will displace
18 million Bangladeshis within the next 40 years.

Bangladeshis have already started to move away from the lowest-

lying villages in the river deltas of the Bay of Bengal; 1.5 million of
the five million slum inhabitants in Dhaka, moved from villages
near the Bay of Bengal. Most migrants end up in urban slums,
particularly in Dhaka and this constant influx of people is
contributing to rising crime and insecurity in these areas.
Climate Change and its Impact on Bangladesh-4
The regular and severe natural
hazards already batter the country
like tropical cyclones, river erosion,
flood, landslides and drought to
increase in intensity and frequency as
a result of climate change.

About 20 million people in the

coastal areas of Bangladesh are
already affected by salinity in
drinking water and Salinity intrusion
into the country side reached 100km
and degrades land resources
Mitigation and Adaptation
1. Bangladesh has established the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust
Fund (BCCTF) and the Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund
(BCCRF)
2. 'National Action Plan on Adaptation' (NAPA) of 2005, and the
'Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan' (BCCSAP)
of 2009. In an effort to be a ’Middle Income Country’ by 2021,
3. The Copenhagen Accord (COP 15) pledges $100 million of public
and private finance by 2020.
4. Maintaining SDG goals by focusing on environmental protection
(2016-30)
Climate induce Challenges
❑Country’s large food security–limits of rice cultivation
❑Arsenic contamination poses major threat to health
❑Two dimensional problem during dry season: Salinity and drought
❑implementation of National Water Management Plan
❑Enhancing coastal defence system
❑Community-based disaster risk reduction
❑Increased risks to human health and nutrition
❑Safeguarding infrastructure
❑Ensuring livelihood
❑Addressing climate induced displacements
International initiatives
World Environment Movement
The Stockholm conference on environment is a milestone in world environment movement.
The concept of environment was expanded in the larger areas of social, economic and
political sectors through this conference held in 1972. Around 113 countries, 19
international organizations and 400 non-government organizations took part in the
conference. Following the decision of the conference, United Nation Environmental
Programme (UNEP) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) were
established.

Role of IPCC
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), coming into existence in 1988, has since
been in relentless in undertaking research on the various phenomena related to changes in
the global climatic conditions and arousing public opinion and awareness toward
undertaking required steps in confronting the potential challenges. For such an
outstanding research, IPCC was honored by awarding Nobel Prize.
KYOTO PROTOCOL
The Kyoto Protocol signed to reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission
responsible for increasing global warming. It came into force from 16 February
2005. Till now, 137 developing countries have ratified the Kyoto protocol,
including Brazil, China and India. On December 11, 1997, the negotiations on the
Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change
Framework were completed. The Kyoto Protocol put 36 industrialized nations
under obligation to meet specific legally binding targets for emissions of six-
greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide etc.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Activities
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is an important part of Kyoto Protocol.
As per CDM, industries in developed countries may earn Certified Emission
Reduction (CER) credit by investing in the developing countries. As a result, both
developed and developing countries may be benefited. With a view to developing
management of waste of the city of Dhaka under the auspices of CDM, 700 MT of
decomposable waste will be collected from kitchen markets of various locations to
prepare compost fertilizers. Such a programme will facilitate the Dhaka City
Corporation in saving its cost in respect of waste collection and transportation.
ROLE OF UN
❑ The UN has consistently taken the lead in taking on climate change. In 2007,
the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to former US Vice-President Al Gore
and the IPCC "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge
about man-made climate change".
❑ The Kyoto Protocol set standards for certain industrialized countries.
❑ In Dec. 2010, climate change talks in Cancún concluded with a package of
decisions to help countries advance towards a low-emissions future.
❑ In 2011 the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa produced
the Durban Platform . In Durban, governments decided to adopt a universal legal
agreement on climate change as soon as possible.
❑ In December 2012, after two weeks of negotiations at Doha conference, nations
moved forward on climate change and extended the Kyoto Protocol. The renewal
will keep existing climate targets until a new international agreement comes into
effect in 2020.
❑ UNEP has more than 20 years of experience working on climate change. UNEP
has launched a major worldwide tree planting campaign – The Billion Tree
Campaign. UNEP has established CN Net to assist those interested in achieving big
cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to reach their goals.
ROLE OF IUCN AND GREENPEACE
IUCN Coordinating climate change work across 12 major programmes, 10 regions,
6 Commissions and member organizations. It is working to include biodiversity
concerns in adaptation and mitigation polices and practice, as well as furthering
natural resource management strategies that help species and humans adapt to
the impacts of climate change. On the other hand Climate change is a priority
issue for Greenpeace. It inspires people to join the energy revolution by reducing
energy consumption and promoting renewable energy.

CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP)

In 2015, France will be hosting and presiding the 21st Session of the COP to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP21 will be a
crucial conference, as it needs to achieve a new international agreement on the
climate, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming
below 2°C.
National Initiatives

The following national policy documents developed by the Government of

Bangladesh have addressed the issues of climate change:

1. The Constitution: through its 15th amendment, considered the issue of

climate change. Constitutional Amendment included the following article
18 A Protection and improvement of environment and biodiversity: The
State shall Endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to
safeguard the natural resources, biodiversity, wetlands, forests and wild life
for the present and future citizens.

2. Vision 2021: Vision 2021 that provides political directions to all national
policy documents states, “ All measures will be taken to protect Bangladesh,
including planned migration abroad, from the adverse effects of climate
change and global warming.”
National Initiatives

3. SDG Goals: In September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a new

development agenda for the period 2016-2030 supporting three pillar of
sustainability e.g. social equity, economic development and environmental
protection.

4. Sixth Five Year Plan : ‘Bangladesh Sixth Five Year Plan FY2011-15’
provides strategic directions and policy framework of Climate Change
adaptation for accelerating growth and reducing poverty of the country.

5. Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan approved by the

Government in 2009 with wide consultation with Government and NGO
sector, development partners, experts, academia etc. It is a one of the first
landmark document among the developing countries.
5. Other Policy Documents
It has been observed that other national sectoral policy documents that
are being reviewed currently also considering the effects of climate
change and directing policy propositions to combat those. These are:
The National Environment Policy, Air Pollution Control, Conservation of
Ecology, Control of Industrial Pollution , Control of Noise Pollution,
Conservation of Biodiversity, Protection of Ozone Layer, National water
policy.
Overview of Initiatives Undertaken
❑ High level of awareness among people
❑ 7000 km Coastal Embankments
❑ 2700 Cyclone shelters
❑ Early warning system for cyclones and floods
❑ 42000 volunteers in coastal areas
❑ Coastal Green Belt through A forestation
❑ Salinity and submergence tolerant rice, shorter maturity rice
developed
❑ NAPA prepared in 2005
❑ Climate Change Trust Fund established
❑ Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP)
prepared in 2009
REFERENCE
1. Ahmed, Yasmeen (1995), “Environmental Degradation and Natural Disasters:
Who are the worst victims?”
2. Gain, Philip (1998), Bangladesh Environment : Facing the 21st Century,
Dhaka : Society for Environment and Human development (SHED).
3. Rahman, A. Atiq, et.al., (1994), Environment and Development in
Bangladesh, Vol II , Dhaka : UPL.
4. Bangladesh State of Environment Report, 2001, Department of
Environment/UNEP
5. Bangladesh Environment 2001, Unnyan Shamannay, UPL
6. Rahman, A. Atiq, et.al., Environment and Poverty, Dhaka, UPL.
7. Munir uz Zaman, M., Aspects of Environmental Degradation in Bangladesh
8. Study by Environmental Protection Department of Bangladesh 2008, Air
Quality Management Project, Department of Environment, GoB.