Over the past decades, Bangladesh has stood on the front lines of the global climate crisis. Rising sea levels, intensified cyclones, erratic monsoon patterns, and prolonged periods of drought have reshaped both its landscapes and the lives of millions. Coastal regions, particularly in the south, have become increasingly uninhabitable due to salinity intrusion, displacing communities and threatening agriculture. Once-fertile lands now lie barren as saltwater encroaches deeper inland, rendering traditional farming nearly impossible.
The frequency and severity of cyclones have escalated, with storms like Amphan and Sidr leaving long-lasting scars. Entire villages have been washed away, embankments broken, and freshwater sources contaminated. Each disaster pushes more people into urban slums, especially in cities like Dhaka and Khulna, creating a wave of climate-induced migration that strains already fragile infrastructures.
In the north and central parts of the country, shifting rainfall patterns and prolonged dry seasons have disrupted the agricultural calendar, impacting rice and jute production—two vital sectors of the economy. Rivers that once fed the plains now dry up unpredictably or flood without warning, destroying homes, crops, and livelihoods.
Despite its minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, Bangladesh bears an outsized burden of climate change. Communities are adapting with floating gardens, raised homes, and innovative farming techniques, but the scale of the crisis continues to outpace local resilience. It is clear that climate change in Bangladesh is not a distant threat—it is an everyday reality.
