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- Climate justice for the southwestern coastal region of BangladeshPublication . Ashrafuzzaman, Md; Gomes, Carla; Guerra, JoãoClimate change is considered a moral, ethical and social issue, which makes it dierent from other developmental issues. The foremost instance of lack of justice regarding climate change is that the worst impacted areas are the ones with the lowest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, such as the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh (SWCRB). Climate change is principally triggered by the presence and eventual spread of industrialization. This study employed themixedmethod, combining qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis for development of a framework for climate justice. Data and information were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. In primary sources, quantitative data were collected from climate vulnerable community households using a structured close ended questionnaire and interactive sessions such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, workshops, and case studies. This study explored the perceptions of people in the SWCRB, currently experiencing devastating eects of climate change and sea level rise including extreme natural disasters, seasonal changes, flooding, salinization, riverbank erosion, and water logging. These climate-induced changes are causing loss of housing, livelihoods, and land to the natives, in addition to a lack of access to proper nutrition, potable water, and healthcare thus exacerbating social injustice. A capability-based approach to climate justice is introduced in this paper, which allows for residents of this region to prepare and rebuild their own communities and create adaptive mechanisms based on their specific capabilities.
- The Changing Climate Is Changing Safe Drinking Water, Impacting Health: A Case in the Southwestern Coastal Region of Bangladesh (SWCRB)Publication . Ashrafuzzaman, Md; Gomes, Carla; Guerra, JoãoThis study focuses on investigating the impact of climate change on the availability of safe drinking water and human health in the Southwest Coastal Region of Bangladesh (SWCRB). Additionally, it explores local adaptation approaches aimed at addressing these challenges. The research employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data. Qualitative data were collected through various means such as case studies, workshops, focus group discussions (FGDs), interviews, and key informant interviews (KIIs). The study specifically collected qualitative data from 12 unions in the Shyamnagar Upazila. On the other hand, through the quantitative method, we collected respondents’ answers through a closed-ended questionnaire survey from 320 respondents from nine unions in the first phase of this study. In the next phase, we also collected data from the three most vulnerable unions of Shyamnagar Upazila, namely Poddo Pukur, Gabura, and Burigoalini, where 1579 respondents answered questions regarding safe drinking water and health conditions due to climate change. The findings of the study indicate that local communities in the region acknowledge the significant impact of sea-level rise (SLR) on freshwater sources and overall well-being, primarily due to increased salinity. Over 70% of the respondents identified gastrointestinal issues, hypertension, diarrhea, malnutrition, and skin diseases as major waterborne health risks arising from salinity and lack of access to safe water. Among the vulnerable groups, women and children were found to be particularly susceptible to waterborne diseases related to salinity. While the study highlights the presence of certain adaptation measures against health-related problems, such as community clinics and health centers at the upazila level, as well as seeking healthcare from local and paramedical doctors, it notes that these measures are insufficient. In terms of safe drinking water, communities have adopted various adaptation strategies, including pond excavation to remove saline water (partially making it potable), implementing pond sand filters, rainwater harvesting, and obtaining potable water from alternative sources. However, these efforts alone do not fully address the challenges associated with ensuring safe drinking water
- Agricultural vulnerability and adaptation strategies by farmers to climate change in south-western coastal BangladeshPublication . Ashrafuzzaman, Md.; Gomes, Carla; Cerdà, Artemi; Schmidt, Luísa; Guerra, JoãoAgriculture in the south-western coastal region in Bangladesh (SWCRB) has high vulnerability to climate change (CC) owing to its proximity to the rivers and the coast, frequent natural disasters, and sea level rise (SLR) causing intrusion of saline water into agricultural fields. Climate change and SLR have caused an increase in soil salinity in the SWCRB over the years, exerting significant pressure on farming, traditional agriculture and means of living. This study examines the impacts of SLR and climate change on the agricultural land of Shyamnagar Upazila in Satkhira District of the SWCRB. This conceptual framework integrates socio-economic and geophysical factors to understand the vulnerability of farmers to climate change. A mixed-methods approach is used in this study with data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), including close-ended questionnaires, interviews, surveys, focus groups with regional farmers. The survey was conducted among 320 households in Shyamnager Upazila in Satkhira District of Bangladesh to identify current adaptation measures adopted by farmers considering the effects of climate change and associated impacts. Land use change analysis from 1989 to 2019 demonstrated the expansion of water coverage in the region. The study analysed secondary rainfall data available from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) from 1968 to 2018, showing the changes in the rainfall pattern. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis was employed to understand the interrelationship between adaptive measures used by farmers. It was determined that age, gender, and total income of survey respondents affected the chosen adaptation measures.
- Local Context of Climate Change Adaptation in the South-Western Coastal Regions of BangladeshPublication . Ashrafuzzaman, Md; Gomes, Carla; Guerra, JoãoThis study was conducted in 12 unions of the Shyamnagar upazila in Shatkira District, located in the south-western coastal region of Bangladesh (SWCRB). The inhabitants of the SWCRB are affected by different climate-influenced events such as high-intensity cyclones, saltwater intrusion, sea-level rise, and weather pattern-affected agriculture. This study focused on how the local inhabitants are coping with climate change using multilevel adaptation. A mixed approach of data collection, including quantitative and qualitative data, was followed for both primary and secondary sources. Individual level data collection, key informant interviews, close-ended questions, focus groups, life history of SWCRB residents and workshops were used to understand vulnerability and social perceptions at the local level. The findings indicated that multiple adaptation practices are employed by people in SWCRB, such as rainwater harvesting, plantation of different rice varieties, gardening of indigenous vegetables, and pond sand filtering. However, the construction of multipurpose cyclone shelters along with coastal afforestation contribute towards building resilience in the SWRCB from the socio-economic and environmental perspectives. Therefore, this study would help to find the most adequate strategy towards climate change adaptation and sustainability.