The small island of Maldives in the Indian Ocean is slowly descending into the depths of the ocean as the polar icecaps melt and sea level rises. The Maldivan government is said to be looking to purchase land to relocate its nearly 400’000 strong populous before the tiny island is completely submerged by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Why is this important for us? with the onset of global warming, we could face the same dilemma as the Maldivans.
Scientists predict the sea level to rise by 60cm (over half a meter) before the end of the current century. Bangladesh will be especially affected, as it’s already a low-lying country with a larger than average population to support and food supply being constantly low.
Bangladesh has already seen catastrophic effects of global warming in places like Bala Island, one of the largest in the south of the country, affecting hundreds on lives.
In the last ten to fifteen years, the island was reduced by over 50% due to coastal and river erosion, a natural process that has been accelerated hugely by the melting of the glaciers up in the Himalayan Mountains, hundreds of miles away from the affected areas.
Despite desperate efforts by the people of the island to defend against the erosion, the river currents and sea continues to erode at the fringes, making thousands homeless and landless.
While other nation across the world are starting to take preventative measures, the agenda seems to have been overlooked in Bangladesh, with very few intellectuals and government officials and planners discussing the issue.
It is now a fact that in years to come, the world will see increasing number of environmental refugees fleeing from the rising sea levels and volatile weather conditions. In the case of Bangladesh, the population is likely to disperse into India and other surrounding nations.
And of course we must not overlook the elements that come with mass migration such as ethnic discrimination and war, as we already see in the many parts of the world such as the Middle East and Africa.
There is however scopes for developing a major new industry to reclaim this lost land from the sea and reinforce affected and unaffected areas, coastlines as well as create new lands in the south.
This method of land reclamation/creation has already worked in places such as Dubai, where the artificial island “Palm Island” was created entirely from coarse sand, scooped out of the ocean floor. The same method of land reclamation can hugely benefit Bangladesh if considered and create thousands of much needed jobs, especially for the people in the south.
Current.tv sent it reporter Adam Yamaguchi to investigate the affects global warming has had on Bangladesh.
You can view the full report by clicking on this link
Footnote
When such environmental migrations occur, the nations of the world will have to re-assess its territorial rights and be more welcoming. Either that or we may be looking at the next world war as a means of survival and retaining sovereignty.
Scientists predict the sea level to rise by 60cm (over half a meter) before the end of the current century. Bangladesh will be especially affected, as it’s already a low-lying country with a larger than average population to support and food supply being constantly low.
Bangladesh has already seen catastrophic effects of global warming in places like Bala Island, one of the largest in the south of the country, affecting hundreds on lives.
In the last ten to fifteen years, the island was reduced by over 50% due to coastal and river erosion, a natural process that has been accelerated hugely by the melting of the glaciers up in the Himalayan Mountains, hundreds of miles away from the affected areas.
Despite desperate efforts by the people of the island to defend against the erosion, the river currents and sea continues to erode at the fringes, making thousands homeless and landless.
While other nation across the world are starting to take preventative measures, the agenda seems to have been overlooked in Bangladesh, with very few intellectuals and government officials and planners discussing the issue.
It is now a fact that in years to come, the world will see increasing number of environmental refugees fleeing from the rising sea levels and volatile weather conditions. In the case of Bangladesh, the population is likely to disperse into India and other surrounding nations.
And of course we must not overlook the elements that come with mass migration such as ethnic discrimination and war, as we already see in the many parts of the world such as the Middle East and Africa.
There is however scopes for developing a major new industry to reclaim this lost land from the sea and reinforce affected and unaffected areas, coastlines as well as create new lands in the south.
This method of land reclamation/creation has already worked in places such as Dubai, where the artificial island “Palm Island” was created entirely from coarse sand, scooped out of the ocean floor. The same method of land reclamation can hugely benefit Bangladesh if considered and create thousands of much needed jobs, especially for the people in the south.
Current.tv sent it reporter Adam Yamaguchi to investigate the affects global warming has had on Bangladesh.
You can view the full report by clicking on this link
Footnote
When such environmental migrations occur, the nations of the world will have to re-assess its territorial rights and be more welcoming. Either that or we may be looking at the next world war as a means of survival and retaining sovereignty.