Climate change and flow of environmental displacement in Bangladesh

This study depicts environmental displacement with the premise of increased frequency of natural disasters and the adverse impacts of climate change. Bangladesh is already experiencing recurrent floods, severe cyclones, water logging, salinity intrusions, droughts and river bank erosion which induce mass population displacement.

There is no generally agreed definition and scientifically developed methodology to estimate environmental displacement. Proper development guidelines are yet to be adopted to protect the lives and livelihoods of the displaced people who have the right to expect safe lives, livelihoods, and a sustainable and prosperous future.

The research findings reveal:

• on an average 25%, 3% and 2% populations are displaced from different natural calamities like floods, droughts and cyclones
• the estimation of future displacement reveals that approximately 49 million, 63 million and 78 million people might be displaced in 2010, 2015 and 2020 respectively
• the growth of environmental displacement is likely to be closer to about half of total populations in 2020.

To avert future crisis, the study proposes to adopt and update policy guidelines including action plans with a timeframe to keep track with the changing climate. Increased coordination among relevant organizations is also given emphasis to combat the dire consequences of environmental displacement.