Climate Change, Vulnerability and Resilience among Coastal Communities in Bangladesh: A Scoping Review
Anuradha Bardhan *
Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In the near future, due to climate change, there will be widespread consequences for the lives of coastal communities in Bangladesh, which are inevitable. Due to Bangladesh's geographical location and environmental conditions, climate risks disrupt the normal lives of its people. Especially, people living in coastal regions constantly face crises in their lives and livelihoods due to frequent floods, tidal surges, cyclones, and riverbank erosion. This paper is based on a literature review that examines the impact of climate change on human vulnerabilities, health vulnerabilities, agricultural and fisheries productivities, livestock vulnerabilities, infrastructural challenges, displacement vulnerabilities, and gender vulnerabilities. This paper identifies that the nature and frequency of natural hazards have changed in recent times, and agricultural productivity has decreased, reducing employment opportunities and leading to the spread of various health diseases. Migration and occupational change were also observed in this study. This study would be helpful to policymakers and planners in developing appropriate adaptation strategies, such as smart agricultural systems, supporting coastal people’s adaptation mechanisms, using renewable energy, restoring mangrove areas, expanding agroforestry, implementing a holistic approach, and providing pre-education to coastal communities. This study will help future researchers to research on a specific vulnerability to find a conclusive solution to alleviate the suffering of coastal communities.
Keywords: Climate change vulnerabilities, coastal community, resilience, natural hazards, climate change adaptation, solutions from nature