The study examines Bangladesh'sextreme vulnerability to climate change, whose low-lyingtopography, and funnel-shaped coast, further exposes theland to cyclones, and tidal surges, resulting in seasonalfloods. These factors, and the large population base,widespread poverty, aggravated by the lack of stronginstitutional development, makes the country particularlyvulnerable to climate variability. Various climatic factors,i.e., temperature, precipitation, evaporation, etc., areidentified, and possible climate change scenarios arediscussed for possible adaptation. The potential effects ofclimate change are summarized, confined up to the year 2050,stipulating that climate change will also affectcross-boundary river flows, and that the reported events ofthe El Nino Southern Oscillation, have influenced therecord-breaking floods of 1987, 1988, and 1998. The studyidentifies critical impacts that development policymakerswill have to consider in a warmer Bangladesh: drainagecongestion problems; reduced fresh water availability;disturbance of morphological processes; and, an increasedintensity of disasters. Reasons to adopt an anticipatory,long-term strategy in adapting to climate change arediscussed, and an assessment criteria is proposed.Recommendations include active participation ininternational debates on climate change, incorporatingclimate change considerations in water sharing negotiations,and, viewing climate change not just as an environmentalconcern, but as a major development issue.
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