ASSIGNMENT

Submitted by: Dihan Alam

Class: STD-VII
Roll: 1
Submitted to: Ms. Sadia Afrin
Main Topic: Climate Change and Coastal Erosion
Focus Area Under Topic: Impact of Coastal Erosion on Community
Displacement and Adaptation Strategies

Summary

Climate change is widely recognized as a major global issue and is seen as a serious threat to
humanity’s existence. It's driving significant changes, including rising temperatures. The decade
from 2011 to 2020 was the hottest on record, largely due to human activity. Coastal erosion,
which is the loss or displacement of land, is also a growing concern. Approximately 70% of the
world's sandy coastlines have been eroded. This process is shrinking living spaces and damaging
beaches, forcing people to relocate further inland. The impact on humanity is undeniable.

Coastal erosion is closely linked to rising sea levels. It increases wave action, allowing larger
waves to reach the shorelines. Rising sea levels are a significant factor contributing to coastal
erosion. Over the past 100 years, global temperatures have risen by approximately 1 degree
Celsius, resulting in sea levels increasing by at least 6 to 8 inches during this time. The current
rate of sea-level rise is alarming, with about half of the total increase occurring since 1993.

Bangladesh faces significant risks from climate disasters. The World Risk Index 2023 ranks the
country as the ninth most vulnerable worldwide to climate-related risks. According to the index,
Bangladesh is projected to lose 17% of its territory by 2050, which would result in a 30% loss of
agricultural land. This climate disaster will have a profound impact on poverty and food
insecurity in the country, creating serious challenges for its population.

The United States is also facing significant risks from climate disasters. According to the World
Risk Index 2023, the U.S. ranks 16th worldwide, making it 20% less prone to climate-related
issues than Bangladesh. Regions like Louisiana and Florida are particularly vulnerable to coastal
erosion due to their geological positions. From 1932 to 2016, Louisiana lost over 2,000 square
miles of land as a result of rising sea levels. Research indicates that the U.S. could incur a
substantial cost of 0.7% of its GDP for each degree of temperature increase.
Every year, Bangladesh is losing approximately 34 square kilometers of land due to rising sea
levels. This loss comes at a tremendous cost, bringing with it significant tragedies as rivers erode
the land. Regions like Char Bamni in the Noakhali Division are particularly affected by coastal
erosion. Occasional typhoons further exacerbate the situation, steadily wearing away
Bangladesh's territories. When speaking with the residents of Char Mitti, you’ll find that nearly
everyone has lost land there, highlighting the profound impact of climate change on their lives.

It's not just Bangladesh that is losing land; the United States is also vulnerable to climate change
and rising sea levels, which have contributed to coastal erosion. Over the past 100 years, coastal
Louisiana has lost an estimated 4,833 square kilometers of land, which averages out to a loss of
approximately 48.33 square kilometers annually due to coastal erosion. In the United States, this
issue has led to an estimated property loss of around $500 million as a result of coastal erosion.

Between 2018 and 2022, Bangladesh experienced a rise of 0.9℃ in its summer temperatures
compared to the 1986-2005 baseline. This increase is 0.2℃ higher than the global average rise in
summer temperatures. In South Asia, Bangladesh ranks as the second country with the highest
temperature increase.

The average temperature in the U.S. has increased by approximately 0.7°C to 1.1°C since record-
keeping began in 1895, with most of this rise occurring since around 1970. The most recent
decade was the warmest on record for the nation.

Eighty percent of the area in Bangladesh is floodplain, and flooding has been a recurring issue
long before the country's formation. Every year, thousands of square kilometers are inundated,
resulting in significant loss of life. Rescue teams, including joint forces from the army, air force,
and navy, work to provide aid to those affected. When unexpected floods occur, citizens from the
flooded areas often seek shelter in mosques and schools. During cyclones, many take refuge in
government-built shelters designed for such emergencies.

The United States is also vulnerable to hurricanes, with several deadly storms occurring
throughout its history. These hurricanes have tragically claimed the lives of thousands of
Americans. One of the deadliest hurricanes was the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, which
struck Texas. Similar to Bangladesh, the U.S. has established designated refuge areas where
people can seek shelter during severe hurricanes to ensure their safety.
In conclusion, both Bangladesh and the United States face significant challenges from climate
change, particularly rising temperatures, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.

References

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