The probable impacts of climate change on poverty - UNDP

6.1 Context <strong>of</strong> Vulnerability
<strong>The</strong> above section <strong>of</strong> the report provides <strong>climate</strong> <strong>change</strong> scenarios and its associated contexts <strong>of</strong> vulnerability to
<strong>climate</strong> <strong>change</strong> and sea level rise for Bangladesh. It revealed that vulnerability context varies across the country.
<strong>The</strong> contexts may be characterised by geographical region with predominant ecosystem. <strong>The</strong> present
vulnerability <strong>of</strong> the country is related to flood (riverine and flash flood), drought, salinity, cyclone and storm
surges, and river bank and soil erosion which will be aggravated by <strong>climate</strong> <strong>change</strong> and sea level rise. <strong>The</strong> northwestern
region <strong>of</strong> Bangladesh is prone to seasonal drought where extreme temperature and erratic behaviour <strong>of</strong>
rainfall are key issues related to <strong>climate</strong> <strong>change</strong>. Salinity intrusion, sea level rise, and cyclone and storm surges are
key issues for the low lying coastal area. <strong>The</strong> floodplain ecosystem spread over mostly in the central region <strong>of</strong> the
country which will face frequent and intense flood due to <strong>climate</strong> <strong>change</strong>. <strong>The</strong> north-eastern and hilly areas <strong>of</strong>
the country will face more devastating flash flood. A summary <strong>of</strong> the characteristics <strong>of</strong> the <strong>climate</strong> related
vulnerability context by major geographical regions and ecosystems are given below.
Types <strong>of</strong> Geographic al Areas
with Dominant Ecosystems
Floodplain (freshwater aquatic
ecosystem, fisheries, Transplanted
Aman)
Drought Prone (dryness, moisture
stressed condition)
Coastal Zone
Haor Basin (tectonically
depressed area)
Hilly Region
<strong>The</strong> Probable Impacts <strong>of</strong> Climate Change on Poverty and Economic Growth and
the Options <strong>of</strong> Coping with adverse Effect <strong>of</strong> Climate Change in Bangladesh
Table 6.1 Summary <strong>of</strong> Vulnerability Context
Climate Change Vulnerability Context and Characteristics
Changes in Flooding Characteristics
Coverage <strong>of</strong> inundated area in monsoon season will increase
(more flood vulnerable area)
Changes in depth and duration <strong>of</strong> inundation (depth <strong>of</strong> water will be higher
and periodwill be longer)
Changes in recession period <strong>of</strong> flood water (water logging)
Changes in flood frequency (more frequent and intense flood)
Changes in Drought Characteristics
Changes in drought intensity (more area under severe drought)
Changes <strong>of</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> drought prone area (expansion <strong>of</strong> area)
Changes in timing <strong>of</strong> drought (erratic behaviour <strong>of</strong> rainfall and temperature)
Changes in Coastal Characteristics
Expansion <strong>of</strong> salinized areas
Increase in salinity intensity
Increase drainage congestion and coastal flooding
Cyclone and storm surges
Changes in Haor Basin Characteristics
Changes in timing <strong>of</strong> flash flood
Changes in recession period
Changes in distribution <strong>of</strong> rainfall and intensity
Changes in erosion <strong>of</strong> top soil
Increase possibility <strong>of</strong> landslide
<strong>The</strong> above mentioned vulnerability context <strong>of</strong> <strong>climate</strong> <strong>change</strong> is likely to affect agriculture sector including crops,
livestock and fisheries; freshwater for drinking and agricultural purpose; and rural infrastructure including water
supply and sanitation, and rural roads. <strong>The</strong> following table shows level <strong>of</strong> <strong>impacts</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>climate</strong> <strong>change</strong> on different
sectors.
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