The Implications of Climate and Sea–Level Change for Bangladesh

Although the "greenhouse effect" and "global climate change" have been the subjects of scientific scrutiny for many decades, only recently have they received widespread public attention. Two major events helped generate this attention. First, in 1990 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its findings on the science, impacts and policy implications of climate change. The findings of the IPCC, prepared and reviewed extensively by the world's leading experts in the field, confirmed that the increasing atmospheric concentrations of "greenhouse" gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and the chlorofluorocarbons, could cause the world to warm and sea level to rise. Second, in 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) inRio de Janeiro focussed the attention of the world's national governments, as well as organisations and individuals outside the governments, on the threat of global climate change. The Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), signed by nations at UNCED, reflects both the concern about the effects of climate change and the urgent need for action to prevent or reduce its potential impacts, particularly with respect to the vulnerable developing countries of the world. Bangladesh ratified the FCCC on 15 April 1994. The countries that have signed and ratified the FCCC are obligated to report to the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on a number of inter­ related issues. This book presents the results of a national assessment of the possible effects of climate and sea level change on the environment and society of Bangladesh. The implications of global warming for the regional climate and sea level are examined first. The book then assesses what is known, and not known, about the possible effects on natural resources and socio-economic systems, including the legal implications and the special problems of the low-lying coast. The key research steps and policy directions for reducing future vulnerability are identified and discussed. This book presents the results of a national assessment of the possible effects of climate and sea-level change on the environment and society of Bangladesh. The implications of global warming for the regional climate and sea level are first examined. The book then assesses what is known, and not known, about the possible effects on natural resources and socio-economic systems, including the legal implications and the special problems of the low-lying coast. The key research steps and policy directions for reducing future vulnerability are identified and discussed. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv The Implications of Climate Change for Bangladesh: A Synthesis....Pages 1-34 The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change....Pages 35-96 Sea-level Changes in the Bay of Bengal....Pages 97-142 Effects of Climate and Sea-level Changes on the Natural Resources of Bangladesh....Pages 143-203 Socio-economic Implications of Climate Change for Bangladesh....Pages 205-287 Legal Implications of Global Climate Change for Bangladesh....Pages 289-334 Climate Change and Sea-level Rise: The Case of the Coast....Pages 335-405 Back Matter....Pages 407-415