A UK based research organization Maplecroft has designated Bangladesh as the Number One climate vulnerable country followed by two other African countries. Quoting Maplecroft, a report of an international media on Thursday said, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone and South Sudan led a ranking of countries facing extreme risks as a result of climate change, apprehending the chances of civil conflict. Bangladesh has already been put at first place in the global Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) considering combined risks of rising sea levels, droughts, and chaotic storms places. So, the Maplecroft’s view over the climate risk in Bangladesh is no doubt a shocking eye-opener for the policy decision makers.According to the head of environment at Maplecroft, global business and the military now view climate change as an important risk management imperative. The multi-award-winning Global Risks Portfolio recommended that identifying future flashpoints would help proactive organizations and governments make strategic decisions. Here, the most appalling aspect is that Bangladesh still lags behind in its preparedness for a reduction of the possible fallouts of climate disasters or associated risks. According to the studies, there is a possibility that around 4 million people will be homeless and lose their livelihood due to climatic consequences. So, a rise in poverty is inevitable if adequate measures are not taken to cope with the changing situation immediately. But the incumbent administration is indulging in whimsy, as there is no obvious sign of due policy change to match the possible hazards of climate change. Moreover, building dams on the upstream of the common rivers between Bangladesh and India has already aggravated the climatic character of the south-western part of Bangladesh. Being deprived by neighbouring India of the right share of water as per international law, Bangladesh is facing a serious ecological consequence by this time. Both the sea level rising due to global warming as well as desertification caused by inhuman water injustice to Bangladesh by India has made the country more prone to bio-environmental risks.The climate experts are concerned about the transparency in climate fund spending and mismanagement of the money. The budget (FY 2014-15) has an allocation of $320 million over five years to the domestic climate adaptation fund. Bangladesh has so far received $187 million for its climate resilience fund from international donors. But, the way the fund was managed has raised questions from many. It lacks transparency and is under shadow of inbuilt corrupt practices. Experts, however, smelt political influence, nepotism and corruption in the way the funds were allocated. The financial records of the fund are not straight.We urge the government to show more efficiency to offset the impact of climate change to check the concomitant increase of climate refugees. Our government should have more efficacy while dealing with our big neighbour to ensure the national interest by putting aside the personal power gains.
