The international community must take immediate and more effective action to protect the coastal people of Bangladesh, who are increasingly vulnerable due to the impacts of climate change, speakers emphasized at an event today at the COP29 venue in Azerbaijan.
Titled Untold Story of Coastal People of Bangladesh: Sandwip Perspective, the event brought together representatives from international organizations, island nations, civil society, Bangladeshi climate activists, and government officials to raise awareness of the dire situation facing millions in Bangladesh’s coastal regions.
Human24, a volunteer organization, organized the program at the Bangladesh Pavilion, where prominent figures in climate advocacy shared insights on the challenges posed by rising sea levels, erosion, and land loss.
Saleh Noman, Chief Executive of Human24 and Executive Editor of The Daily People’s View, delivered the keynote presentation. Noman highlighted the plight of Sandwip Island, located in the Bay of Bengal, which is grappling with severe environmental and socio-economic challenges, including widespread erosion and salinity.
“Sandwip, once a thriving center for salt production and shipbuilding, is now fighting for its survival. The island’s land area has shrunk from 502 square kilometers in 1880 to just 258 square kilometers today, as rising sea levels and erosion continue to claim its land,” said Noman.
Md Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive of the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), stressed the need for comprehensive land reform policies to support displaced communities. “Without land reform, displaced people will not have access to the land they need to rebuild their lives. We must ensure that these communities are given the resources and support they need to survive and thrive,” he said, recalling his firsthand experience of visiting Sandwip and witnessing the suffering caused by climate change.
Tamanna Rahman, Thematic Lead for Climate and Resilience at Practical Action Bangladesh, emphasized that Sandwip is a microcosm of the challenges facing all 19 coastal districts of Bangladesh. “The lack of adaptation and mitigation strategies has left these areas vulnerable.
She said that while much focus has been on other parts of the country, the coastal regions, especially islands like Sandwip, have been largely ignored. Women, in particular, are bearing the brunt of this neglect. We need equitable financing and climate justice to ensure that these communities are protected,” Rahman said.
Climate journalist Shamsuddin Illius, Bureau Chief for The Business Standard in Chattogram, added, “Fair justice and a more coordinated global response are essential to address the loss and damage occurring in Bangladesh’s coastal areas. The world must act more effectively and urgently to tackle the climate crisis.”
International climate activist Cynthy Sandrina Hosea, speaking from the Pacific region, highlighted the importance of local adaptation solutions. “People in vulnerable areas have already implemented innovative solutions to build resilience to climate change. For example, the Vanuatu Climate Futures Portal provides essential data and tools to help decision-makers plan for the future. This kind of localized approach can be replicated in Bangladesh to better protect communities like those on Sandwip,” she said.
Judit Szolesky, Project Manager at the International Network for Sustainable Energy, presented some practical solutions being implemented globally, including eco-villages, solar home systems, and rainwater harvesting projects designed to enhance climate resilience.
The speakers collectively called for the international community to prioritize the protection of coastal areas like Sandwip, where people face daily threats from rising seas, erosion, and salinity. They emphasized that global cooperation and swift action are essential to ensure the survival and well-being of these vulnerable communities.
As climate change continues to wreak havoc across the globe, the fate of Bangladesh’s coastal people remains uncertain. Urgent and coordinated efforts are needed to safeguard their futures and ensure they are not left behind in the fight against climate change.
