Climate Change Risks and Food Security in Bangladesh

'Bangladesh is projected as one of the countries to be most seriously affected by climate change. This study considers a range of climate risks and applies agroecological and economic models to assess the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector and the economy. A very useful book for agricultural researchers, development partners and policy makers.'-Mahabub Hossain, Executive Director, BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh

'[This book presents] a clever integration of hydrologic, climatological and economic models. Certainly one of the best attempts to assess quantitatively the effects of potential climate change on agricultural development in complex settings.'-Peter P. Rogers, Gordon McKay Professor of Environmental Engineering and Professor of City and Regional Planning, Harvard University

Managing climate variability and change remains a key development and food security issue in Bangladesh. Despite significant investments, floods, droughts and cyclones during the last two decades continue to cause extensive economic damage and impair livelihoods. Climate change will pose additional risks to ongoing efforts to reduce poverty. This book examines the implications of climate change on food security in Bangladesh and identifies adaptation measures in the agriculture sector using a comprehensive integrated framework.

First, the most recent science available is used to characterize current climate and hydrology and its potential changes. Second, country-specific survey and biophysical data is used to derive more realistic and accurate agricultural impact functions and simulations. A range of climate factors (i.e. warmer temperatures, higher carbon dioxide concentrations, changing characteristics of floods, droughts and potential sea level rise) is considered to gain a more complete picture of potential agriculture impacts. Third, while estimating changes in production is important, economic responses may to some degree buffer against the physical losses projected, and an assessment is made of these. Food security is dependent not only on production, but also future food requirements, income levels and commodity prices. Finally, adaptation possibilities are identified for the sector. This book is the first to combine these multiple disciplines and analytical procedures to comprehensively address these impacts. The framework will serve as a useful guide to design policy intervention strategies and investments in adaptation measures.

Winston H. Yu is at the World Bank, Washington, DC, USA
Mozaharul Alam is at the Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ahmadul Hassan is at the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Abu Saleh Khan is at the Institute for Water Modeling, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Alex C. Ruane is at Columbia University, New York, USA
Cynthia Rosenzweig is at Columbia University, New York, USA
David C. Major is at Columbia University, New York, USA
James Thurlow is at the International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, USA.