THE New Nation quoting TIB, reported on Thursday about the possible increase in the poverty rate by 15 percent within 2030. It is a shocking eye-opener to the policy decision makers. It said the hike in poverty would crop up under the influence of global climate change, according to a study conducted by Transparency International.
Bangladesh still lags behind in its preparedness for a reduction of the possible fallouts of climate risk. The combined risks of rising sea levels, droughts, and chaotic storms places Bangladesh at number one in the global Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI). Besides, according to the global risk index 2013, Bangladesh is described as the most hazardous country due to climate change effects and the condition will continue for the next 20 years. And there is a possibility that around four crore people will be homeless and lose their livelihood due to climatic consequences. So, poverty rise is inevitable if adequate measures fail to gain ground to cope with the changing situation immediately.
While the government functionaries are talking tall about reducing poverty and making the country a middle income one by 2021, the TIB report fingers at an opposite scenario which may be closer to reality. Our ruling party leaders are indulging in a mere reverie, as there is no obvious sign of due policy change to meet up the possible hazards of climate change. Emergence of four crore climate refugees will no doubt become a nightmare to the power elite. Therefore, it is imperative for the government to show more efficiency to offset the impact of climate change to check the concomitant increase of climate refugees.
The concern of the climate experts about the transparency in climate fund spending and mismanagement of the money is to be weighed seriously. The current 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, with some of the money going to adaptation projects. The way the fund was managed has raised questions for many. TIB, however, smelt political influence, nepotism and corruption in the way funds were allocated. To encourage donors to pay more to the resilience fund, we ask the government to keep the records straight.
Govt must assure the donors of transparency when spending climate funds to ensure that the money goes to support the climate victims and is not manipulated by any individual, government or non-government organization. Bangladesh still has a lot to do to adapt to climate change as one-fourth of our population are already lacking sufficient food, safe drinking water and sanitation systems. The threat of four crore probable climate refugees is no small matter that it should go unnoticed so casually. The TIB projection of an increase in poverty by 2030 is altogether a consequence of climate hazards. Therefore, the issue should be dealt with seriously and with foresight.
