Bangladesh faces nearly $3 billion in annual disaster losses due to extreme weather events, impacting over 6.3 million individuals. The “Climate Risk Index 2025” by Germanwatch highlights the global implications of climate change, urging increased action and climate finance to support vulnerable nations. Effective adaptation efforts in Bangladesh have significantly reduced disaster-related fatalities, showcasing a model for resilience amidst growing climate threats.
Bangladesh experiences an annual disaster loss of nearly $3 billion due to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves. Each year, over 6.3 million people in the country are affected by these disasters. This insight is based on findings from Germanwatch’s “Climate Risk Index 2025,” published on February 13. The report notes that nations in the Global South have been particularly vulnerable to severe weather over the last 30 years.
Between 1993 and 2022, extreme weather events worldwide resulted in approximately 800,000 deaths and economic damages totaling $4.2 trillion. Dominica, China, and Honduras rank as some of the countries most impacted by such events, while Bangladesh is positioned 31st. The Climate Risk Index evaluates the human and economic impacts of severe weather, including fatalities and homelessness, across different nations.
The report highlights a notable heatwave that occurred from March to May 2022, which saw temperatures reach a record 49.5°C in Nawabshah, Pakistan, subsequently followed by severe flooding. This extreme heat led to over 90 deaths across South Asia, including India and Bangladesh. The World Weather Attribution project’s study indicates that climate change increased the likelihood of such heat events by a factor of 30, underscoring the escalating risk of climate impacts.
Although Bangladesh faces high vulnerability to climate change, the nation has successfully reduced disaster-related fatalities owing to effective adaptation and risk management strategies. The report cites Bangladesh’s success in decreasing cyclone fatalities from 500,000 in 1970 to 4,234 in 2007, illustrating the effectiveness of its disaster preparedness measures.
The report notes that while countries like China, India, and the Philippines frequently confront extreme weather, nations such as Dominica and Honduras face exceptional instances of such disasters. Italy, Spain, and Greece have also been recognized among the ten most affected nations globally over the past 30 years.
Laura Schaefer, Head of International Climate Policy at Germanwatch, alerts that the climate crisis poses a significant global security challenge, necessitating decisive multilateral action. She emphasizes that the Global South bears a disproportionate burden and that incomplete data could obscure the full extent of the crisis’s effects.
David Eckstein, a senior advisor on Climate Finance at Germanwatch, warns that failures in climate action adversely impact even affluent countries. He points out that the financial losses incurred over three decades equal Germany’s GDP, cautioning that inaction will amplify future human and economic repercussions. The forthcoming Brazil Climate Summit is expected to address the pressing need for climate finance in vulnerable regions.
Lina Adil, Policy Advisor for Adaptation and Loss & Damage at Germanwatch, argues that limited resources intensify challenges for affected nations. She advocates for stronger mitigation strategies to align with the 1.5°C global warming target. The Climate Risk Index elucidates that some climate disasters can result in economic losses surpassing an entire country’s GDP.
Vera Kuenzel, senior advisor for Adaptation and Human Rights at Germanwatch, calls for enhanced climate risk management and increased support for the world’s most vulnerable countries to mitigate potential human and economic losses.
In summary, Bangladesh endures significant annual disaster losses from extreme weather events, highlighting the importance of effective climate adaptation strategies. The Climate Risk Index reveals the profound impact of climate change on countries globally, especially in the Global South. Experts advocate for immediate action and increased climate finance, underscoring the need for global cooperation to address the climate crisis and support vulnerable nations.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
