Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation of Bangladesh: Mechanisms, Notions and Solutions

Abstract

The concept of household vulnerability along with sustainable livelihoods has currently emerged as a significant concept in the climate change vulnerability and adaptation (CCVA) literature. In this paper, the vulnerability of Bangladesh has been assessed by using multiple regression analysis where twenty two effective variables have been chosen from the surveyed data given by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. The vulnerability has been functioned by three main stream components: Exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, which have been adopted from the reports of Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other scientific literature. Based on the higher significance and coefficient values, the variables, which have direct relationships and impact on income and illness, have been identified and prioritized. Household income and illness are the known driving forces for assessing the vulnerability. The motion of centripetal and centrifugal forces in decision making mechanisms, which are the main driving contributions of this paper, have been dealt as a new way to envisioning vulnerability and adaptation decision. Based on the prioritized variables some actions along with solutions have been taken into consideration, which have enormous significance in addressing localized plans and actions in order to reduce potential households’ vulnerability under climate change regimes in Bangladesh.

Evaluation of Sustainable Livelihoods in the Context of Disaster Vulnerability: A Case Study of Shenzha County in Tibet, China

“…Thus, it is necessary to improve disaster management capabilities and increase storage supplies for the survival of humans and livestock in SWT. This is consistent with previous studies that demonstrate adaptions can improve livelihoods, and enhance the coping mechanisms of resilience from climatic shocks [20,55]. Failure of autonomous adaptation causes large economic consequences [56].…”

“…In general, vulnerability can be defined in a number of ways, depending on the multidisciplinary context [19]. Among these, one of the widely accepted definitions is that vulnerability is the ability or inability of individuals or social groupings to respond to, cope with, recover from, or adapt to, any external stress placed on their livelihoods and well-being [20,21]. Moreover, vulnerability has been functioned by sensitivity, exposure unit and adaptive capacity [22].…”

“…Among these, one of the widely accepted definitions is that vulnerability is the ability or inability of individuals or social groupings to respond to, cope with, recover from, or adapt to, any external stress placed on their livelihoods and well-being [18,19]. Moreover, vulnerability has been functioned by sensitivity, exposure unit and adaptive capacity [20]. The exposed factors (e.g., climate disasters) have made profound impacts on agriculture in the form of increased crop pests and disease outbreaks, frequency and severity of droughts, high livestock mortality and reduced yields [21].…”

“…What is worse, is that the vulnerability of poor and mountain-dwelling people is sensitive, because of their associations with natural systems [22]. Adaptation ensures quality and functional out-production, maximizing profit, positive changes of attributes on a system and long-term sustainability [20]. In this context, livelihood assets and strategies will be different because of the difference in vulnerability.…”

Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: the applicability of social vulnerability index

“…For researchers, it helps address some vital questions raised on the use of variables (indicators) in assessing climate change vulnerability. For example, how and what variables represent potential driving force(s) for assessing vulnerability [42,60]; do variables (indicators) chosen for vulnerability assessment perturb by or interact with each other [16,60]; what processes inform selection of variables for vulnerability assessment [60]? Drawing on the results of this study, a reflection on the applicability of the SVI approach in assessing vulnerability to climate change is provided.…”