Bangladesh, a nation particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying geography, is on the frontline of the global climate crisis as rising sea levels, air pollution, and environmental degradation are threatening millions.
Projections show that even a 2°C increase in global temperatures by 2100 could expose 30 million Bangladeshis to severe flooding, while 38 million people risk losing essential ecosystem services such as water purification and fertile soil, jeopardising food security and public health. This will displace communities and disrupt crucial agricultural activities
New research published in Lancet Planetary Health emphasises the urgent need for transformative economic and technological shifts to avert a climate catastrophe. This research publication, , led and presented by Professors Joyeeta Gupta, Xuemei Bai, and Diana Liverman, on Wednesday, was done towards ensuring a basic standard of living for all.
The research claims that air pollution is further exacerbating the climate crisis, with approximately 158 million people exposed to unsafe levels of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), leading to increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Water scarcity is another critical facet, with 51 million people at risk due to altered blue water flows.
Experts emphasise that addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, with prongs pointed towards equitable resource management, investment in sustainable technologies, and collaborative action across all sectors and stakeholders.
The Lancet Planetary Health report builds on the ‘Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries’ study published in the ‘Nature’ journal last year. That study found that many vital planetary limits have already been breached.
‘Verge of collapse’
For climate specifically, the researchers warn that without immediate and significant action, by 2050 there will be no "safe and just space" remaining. This means that even if every person on Earth had access only to the bare minimum resources for a basic standard of living, the planet would still exceed critical climate boundaries, plunging the world into environmental instability beyond repair.
Professor Joyeeta Gupta of the University of Amsterdam and co-chair of the Earth Commission, warned, "The longer we delay in addressing environmental inequality, the more extreme the consequences will be for all. Our systems are on the verge of collapse, and action must be taken now.
"The future of Bangladesh, as well as neighboring India and the broader South Asian region, hinges on collective global action," she added.
Meanwhile, Professor Johan Rockström, also the co-chair of the Earth Commission, emphasised, “The safety of the planet and its people is intertwined. Justice must be at the heart of our response to the planetary crisis. We have a window to act now and change course.”
He explained that Bangladesh's future will depend on the swift and decisive action of both local and global leaders to confront the escalating environmental crisis with millions of lives at stake.
In this regards, Md Shamsuddoha, chief executive at the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) said, “Overconsumption in wealthier nations is pushing the planet to its limits, yet countries like Bangladesh, despite contributing the least to global emissions, are bearing the heaviest burden.
Neighbouring countries like India are also struggling with similar challenges, further illustrating how global inequality in resource management amplifies risks for vulnerable regions.”
