Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability Assessment in Coastal Region of Bangladesh: A Case Study on Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira District

Abstract

Coastal areas are more vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. Due to increased weather extremes caused by climate change, the coastal communities fall at high risk of casualties and damages. According to DPSIR (Driver – Pressure – State – Impact –Response) framework, population, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism are the main drivers of climate change at coastal Shyamnagar upazila which caused several social, financial, environmental and physical impacts. As most of the people are poor and living below the poverty line, the situation becomes worse during and after any climatic hazards. Natural capital, local economy, water and natural disaster etc. are more vulnerable components at the study area in terms of Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) as people are dependent on natural resources from Sundarban for livelihood. IPCC framework of LVI was also determined for this study. The order of LVI for studied unions are: Gabura (0.027)>Padma Pukur (0.0264)>Munshiganj, Kaikhali, Kashimari (0.0242)>Buri Goalini (0.020)>Atulia (0.0172)>Bhurulia (0.0108)>Ishwaripur (0.0105)>Ramjannagar (0.0102)>Nurnagar and Shyamnagar (0.003). According to the index values, the situation is worse at Gabura and Padma Pukur unions. However, most of the unions are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts in terms of exposure and sensitive components which have also exceeded the adaptive capacity.