Bangladesh experiences annual economic losses of nearly $3 billion due to extreme natural disasters, affecting over 6.3 million people each year. Despite its vulnerability, the country has effectively reduced disaster-related deaths through climate adaptation efforts. Experts from Germanwatch highlight the growing climate crisis and the need for increased finance and support for vulnerable nations, particularly in light of the impending Brazil Climate Summit.
Bangladesh suffers an average annual loss of nearly $3 billion due to extreme natural disasters such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, impacting more than 6.3 million individuals yearly. This data is highlighted in the latest “Climate Risk Index 2025” report released by Germanwatch on 13 February, which indicates that over the last three decades, countries in the Global South have faced significant challenges from extreme weather events. From 1993 to 2022, extreme weather led to around 800,000 fatalities and approximately $4.2 trillion in economic damage worldwide, with Bangladesh ranking 31st among the most impacted nations.
The Climate Risk Index evaluates the effects of extreme weather on countries based on economic and human costs, including loss of life, injuries, and homelessness. Notably, a severe heatwave in March to May 2022 reached temperatures of 49.5°C in Nawabshah, Pakistan, followed promptly by dramatic flooding across India and Bangladesh, resulting in over 90 deaths in the region. A study by the World Weather Attribution project determined that climate change amplified the likelihood of such events by 30 times, underscoring the escalating risks of simultaneous climate disasters.
Despite its significant vulnerability to climate change, Bangladesh has made commendable progress in lowering disaster-related fatalities through effective climate adaptation strategies and disaster risk management. The report acknowledges Bangladesh as a model for global climate resilience, citing a dramatic decrease in cyclone-induced mortality from 500,000 deaths in 1970 to 4,234 in 2007 due to enhanced risk mitigation practices. In contrast, countries like China, India, and the Philippines continue to experience recurrent extreme events, while Dominica, Honduras, and Myanmar are particularly prone to exceptional weather disasters.
Laura Schaefer, Head of International Climate Policy at Germanwatch, cautions that the climate crisis presents an escalating global security concern, urging for robust multilateral efforts. She notes that developing nations face a disproportionate impact and that existing data may not fully capture the crisis’s severity, as increasing instability points towards an unpredictable future. David Eckstein, senior advisor for Climate Finance at Germanwatch, echoes this sentiment, stressing that neglecting climate action imposes dire consequences, with financial losses equivalent to Germany’s GDP over three decades, warning that inadequate mitigation efforts will result in heightened human and economic tolls.
The forthcoming Brazil Climate Summit is deemed critical for addressing the deficits in climate finance needed by vulnerable nations. Lina Adil, a Policy Advisor for Adaptation and Loss & Damage at Germanwatch, emphasizes that limited resources exacerbate the challenges faced by impacted countries and calls for more significant mitigation initiatives to meet the 1.5°C global warming threshold. The Climate Risk Index further illustrates that certain extreme weather events can produce economic losses surpassing an entire country’s GDP.
Vera Kuenzel, senior advisor for Adaptation and Human Rights at Germanwatch, advocates for enhanced climate risk management and increased support for the most vulnerable nations to mitigate both human and economic losses as the likelihood of extreme weather events continues to grow.
The report reveals that Bangladesh is significantly affected by extreme weather, leading to substantial annual economic losses and a large number of affected individuals. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has implemented successful strategies that have drastically reduced fatalities from natural disasters. However, experts stress the importance of increased climate finance and support for vulnerable nations to combat the escalating impacts of climate change effectively. The urgency for robust international cooperation and action is paramount to address these risks and enhance resilience.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
