Impact of climate change and natural catastrophe on the occupational changes in the coastal areas of Bangladesh: an empirical study

Abstract

Occupation of the populace who live in the coastal areas of Bangladesh needs to be changed in the pattern of source of income owing to sea level rise and natural disaster in a cyclical manner and also irregular variations. This is now a great concern for Bangladesh especially in the country’s coastal regions. As such, the research question relates to assessing the impact of climate change and natural catastrophe on the occupational changes in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. This study explored using both primary and secondary sources. The study had been conducted from May to December 2017. The study found that climate change was causing sea level raising and created salinity problem in the coastal areas, which has caused change of the occupational changes. Salinity problem had caused damage of most of the agricultural production, fisheries and household. The binary logistic regression equation indicated that occupational change was due to climate change and natural catastrophe that also depend on socio-economic situation of the people of that area of the country. From another binary logistic regression equation, it was found that occupational change also depends on the various demographic factors and if the personal position of the respondents is changed then it will occur. Each year in coastal areas, people are permanently and temporarily dispersed because of global warming in Bangladesh. The country should take effective steps in the coastal areas to diminish climate change threat and also control over its phenomenon. Those who are responsible internally to increase climate change should be supported by creating employment opportunities for affecting community development as suggested by the researcher. To reduce natural catastrophe, more trees should be planted in the coastal regions, and there is a need in balanced development at urban and rural areas without destroying nature.