GT Climate Desk | News from Baku, Azerbaijan
As COP29 unfolds, the world’s attention once again turns to urgent discussions on climate change. With leaders, experts, and advocates gathering to navigate pathways toward a sustainable future, critical voices from Bangladesh raise alarms on the pressing issues impacting the country.
Highlighting the Coastline Crisis
Mongurul Islam Taskin, Executive Coordinator of Environment for Generations (EFORGEN), expressed deep concerns about the ongoing climate-induced migration crisis along Bangladesh’s coast. The rising sea levels and frequent cyclones are forcing thousands to leave their homes, particularly in regions like Barguna, where communities are already vulnerable.
Taskin emphasized, “The displacement due to climate disasters not only affects the livelihoods of those forced to migrate but also has broader economic implications. As coastal populations move to urban centers like Dhaka, the economic pressure on the capital intensifies. The increased influx is straining the city’s infrastructure, environment, and public health systems.”
He further highlighted that this migration is contributing to Bangladesh’s GDP decline, particularly in sectors like agriculture and fisheries, which are heavily dependent on the stability of coastal ecosystems. The growing population density in urban areas is also worsening air quality, leading to severe health challenges, especially for the urban poor.
Health Sector Under Threat
Sharif Md. Sadat, Regional Director of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), brought attention to the health sector’s vulnerability in the face of climate change. Sadat pointed out that the increasing frequency of climate disasters is not only resulting in immediate injuries and deaths but also long-term health impacts like malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and mental health issues.
“Our health sector is already stretched thin. With the rise in climate-related illnesses, we are witnessing a loss of capacity among healthcare professionals. This strain is making it difficult for people to access necessary healthcare services,” Sadat stated.
“The healthcare crisis is further aggravated by inflation, driven by disruptions in agriculture and supply chains due to erratic weather patterns.”
“When people can’t access or afford healthcare, it has a ripple effect on the economy, pushing more families into poverty,” Sadat added.
COP29: A Turning Point?
As COP29 progresses, Bangladesh’s representatives, along with civil society organizations like EFORGEN and IFMSA, are pushing for global leaders to recognize the country’s unique vulnerabilities. The thematic days dedicated to issues like Finance, Investment, and Trade (November 14), and Human Development, Health, and Education (November 18), provide crucial opportunities to advocate for climate finance, adaptation strategies, and robust healthcare support.
Taskin and Sadat’s voices echo a broader call for action: international cooperation to ensure that nations like Bangladesh, which contribute minimally to global emissions but bear the brunt of climate impacts, receive the support needed to adapt and thrive in a changing world.
As the negotiations intensify, it remains to be seen whether the commitments made at COP29 will translate into tangible actions for nations on the frontlines of the climate crisis. For Bangladesh, the stakes have never been higher.