Click on arrow for a brief video on climate change in southern Bangladesh
Other Environmental Problems
There are numerous problems creating a difficult situation in Bangladesh, especially the southern part of the country.
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While this website is particularly devoted to the issue of arsenic in Bangladesh, there are other environmental issues, particularly those related to climate change, working in tandem with arsenic, worsening that situation.
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Article: Arsenic and the Ganges Delta: Water Crisis in Bangladesh
In an online opinion article entitled Arsenic and the Ganges Delta: Water Crisis in Bangladesh, dated June 29, 2021 for Future Direction International (an independent, not-for-profit strategic research institute conducting comprehensive research of issues facing Australia and the close environs), the author gave a decidedly pessimistic account.
For the full article, click the link below.
In the article the author mentions how the serious water quality crisis in Bangladesh from arsenic is now compounded by increasing salinization caused by climate change. In addition, climate change has many other negative ramifications besides decreasing water quality. Also mentioned, to a lesser degree, is how other pollutants are degrading water in wells. These include heavy metal contamination of shallow wells and pesticide contamination of surface water, as well as bacteriological contamination, which are threats in both rural and urban areas.
Already occurring are increased and intensified storm surges and cyclones from worsening climate change, driving salt water deeper inland. This ruins coastal fresh water supplies on the very low-lying delta of southern Bangladesh, including even deeper wells.
Click on arrow for a brief video on climate change effects on agriculture in southern Bangladesh.
The article finishes with the following concerns:
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If attention is not paid to this situation, dire consequences could build up. They include a climate/water quality refugee problem and produce substantial instability in the country and the surrounding regions.
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Climate change is having, and will continue to have, dire consequences for agriculture in southern Bangladesh, one of the world's most vulnerable nations.
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It is uncertain whether or not Bangladesh will be able to resolve its own water quality problems or if additional outside help will be needed.