COP26 and the Crisis of Climate Change in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh, a developing country located in South Asia, is one of the most environmentally vulnerable countries in the world. Global warming and climate change affect the country’s ecological balance, imposing threats to the existence of humans and animals, especially in flood-prone areas. Natural calamities, including floods, upsurges, cyclones, droughts, and so on, frequently hit some parts of the country. Bangladesh has already encountered massive floods in 1974 and 1988; the giant cyclones in 1970 and 1991; Sidr in 2007, and Ayla in 2009. Floods occur almost every year; as a result, many places of the country are submerged, and people suffer colossal losses—often, their houses and crops are washed away. Many families turn homeless and destitute, living in extreme poverty, and die of hunger. Global warming and climate change are also responsible for heavy rain inundating several cities and for drought destroying crops. The government of Bangladesh attempts to draw international attention to the impacts of global warming and climate change in different forums. In COP26, which took place in Glasgow in November 2021, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh seriously addressed the issue and sought the attention of world leaders to take steps to redress the impacts of climate change and global warming. This study attempts to delve into the environmental issues, COP26, and the effects of climate change and global warming in Bangladesh.