Agricultural and Environmental Changes in Bangladesh in Response to Global Warming

Abstract

Global climate change is a growing concern for Bangladesh. To evaluate the global climate change effects on environmental changes and agricultural production in Bangladesh, long-term data on selected climatic variables (1948-2006), agricultural production (1960-2006), and population growth (1940-2008) were collected, organized and analyzed. Results suggested that although Bangladesh emits less than 0.2% of the global carbon dioxide (CO2), it is nevertheless facing the impact of global climate change. Average air temperature was found to be increased @ 0.7 degrees C per decade across Bangladesh. As expected, the rainfall distribution varied regionally over time. Total average rainfall increased in the north-eastern (2.6 cm/year) region but decreased in the south-eastern region (1.4 cm/year) or remained same in the north-western and south-western regions of the country. Average sunshine duration decreased by 36 min/decade in between 1962 and 2000. While agricultural land saturation (150% cropping intensity) with increasing population growth (1.8%) abounds, food production in Bangladesh under changing climates has improved over time. Total area under rice production slightly decreased, the yield, however, increased (85%). In contrast, total area under wheat (<1% to 7%), maize, potato (<1% to >2%), and oilseed production increased over time. The yield increased from <0.8 to >2 Mg/ha for wheat, 1 to >5 Mg/ha for maize, and 2.5-14 Mg/ha for potato. Total area under jute (>8 to <4%) and legume production decreased but the yield per unit of land increased over time. However, with increasing population, degraded land quality, and potential global warming, agriculture is seen as one of the major vulnerabilities facing Bangladesh in near future. More specifically, a progressive decline in sunshine duration (25%) over a period of 30 years has become a growing concern for agriculture in terms of reduced photosynthesis and food security.