This publication reviews global and local approaches to climate change risk assessment, highlighting the interaction of hazards, exposure, and vulnerability as the foundation of risk. It stresses that climate risks—such as floods, cyclones, droughts, salinity, and heat waves—are intensifying and will increasingly exceed the adaptive capacities of vulnerable countries. The study critiques the lack of comprehensive literature reviews and the dominance of techno-scientific models that often overlook socio-cultural and political realities. It calls for integrated, bottom-up risk assessments that engage communities, capture local perceptions, and use the IPCC risk equation (Risk = Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability) as a guiding framework. Ultimately, the report emphasizes protecting vulnerable populations as a matter of climate justice and advocates for participatory, evidence-based strategies to manage risks effectively at local, sub-national, and national levels.
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The CLIMA Toolkit (developed by Jahangir Hasan Masum for the Coastal Development Partnership, 2019) provides a structured framework for assessing climate change–induced risks at local, sub-national, and national levels. It integrates hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and sensitivity analyses to create composite indices that quantify climate risks. The toolkit emphasizes participatory methods—such as community mapping, focus groups, and seasonal calendars—to capture local realities and strengthen evidence-based decision-making. By combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, CLIMA helps identify at-risk populations, vulnerable ecosystems, and critical infrastructure. Its goal is to support community-driven climate risk reduction planning, promote resilience, and guide policymakers toward sustainable adaptation strategies.
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This book discusses the severe impacts of climate change on Bangladesh and beyond, highlighting how rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, droughts, and cyclones are disrupting agriculture, food security, water resources, health, and livelihoods. It emphasizes that vulnerable communities—especially rural and marginalized groups—bear the brunt of these crises despite contributing little to global emissions. The text critiques unsustainable development practices and calls for urgent adaptation measures, community resilience, and equitable climate justice. It stresses the importance of biodiversity-based farming, sustainable resource management, and strong policy action to mitigate risks. Ultimately, the book frames climate change not only as an environmental issue but also as a social, economic, and human rights challenge that requires global solidarity and local empowerment.
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This study explores how poor and marginalized communities in Bangladesh are resisting the twin crises of climate change and food insecurity. It documents the lived experiences of farmers in coastal, riverine, and hilly regions, revealing widespread food shortages, declining agricultural productivity, and vulnerability to climate-induced disasters. The research highlights the harmful impacts of corporate agriculture and neoliberal policies, and advocates for biodiversity-based smallholder farming, organic practices, and women-led food self-sufficiency. It calls for land reform, farmer training, and climate-adaptive strategies to ensure food security and justice. The report emphasizes that empowering local communities is key to building resilience and achieving sustainable development.
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