Lesson 2: What Happens in Bangladesh?

Key Words: prolonged, adverse, waterlogging, landslide, spell, crop, salinity, coastal, deforestation

A. Samina and Arif are very upset to read about the effects of climate change. They are more curious to know what will happen in Bangladesh. Read the following text to know about this.

Bangladesh is already experiencing the adverse impacts of global warming and climate change. Summers are becoming hotter, and the monsoon is irregular. There are untimely heavy rainfalls causing water logging and landslides. Among other impacts are frequent floods, river erosion, crop damage due to drought, prolonged cold spells, salinity of water in the coastal areas, etc.

Climate change has already started bringing disasters to Bangladesh. We remember the damage caused by the Aila in 2009. Climate change victims are increasing in number every day. The number of families and villages that lose their homes permanently to rivers every year is one of the highest in Bangladesh. An increasing number of people are suffering damage or loss to their property and sometimes life due to disasters caused by climate change. Following climate change, the river bank and coastal erosion are increasing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that a 45-centimeter rise of sea-level will flood almost 10.9 percent of our territory and will make 5.5 million people of our coastal regions homeless.

B. Tick the best answer.

1. One outcome of climate change in Bangladesh is

• a. summers are becoming shorter.
• b. summers are becoming milder.
• c. the monsoon is becoming irregular.
• d. the cities are getting larger.

2. The cyclone that hit Bangladesh in 2009 is called

• a. Hurricane.
• b. Sidr.
• c. Aila.
• d. Nargis.

3. It is likely that 10.9 percent of Bangladesh will go under water if the sea level rises to

• a. 40 centimeters.
• b. 45 centimeters.
• c. 35 centimeters.
• d. 50 centimeters.

4. The phrase 'coastal region' means an area

• a. with deep forests.
• b. of dry lands.
• c. with a huge population.
• d. close to the sea.

5. The phrase 'prolonged cold spells' means

• a. long duration of cold waves.
• b. long gap between two winters.
• c. longer nights during winter.
• d. delay in doing something due to cold.

C. In small groups, discuss these questions.

1. Which animals in Bangladesh are in danger of extinction? What do you think we should do to protect these animals?

2. What problems do you think deforestation can cause in Bangladesh?

D. Write five slogans to make people aware of the problems of climate change. Two are done for you.

1. Good environment is good health.

2. Air pollution causes health hazards.