Donald Trump, the president of the United States, signed an executive order on March 28, 2017 that nullified many of his country’s commitments in relation to climate change mitigation. This decision will have far reaching consequences. The US, as the second largest polluter in the world, has made it almost impossible for 192 countries to achieve the ambitious climate goals they set out in 2015.
This original article was published under the title “This Bangladeshi Woman can Tell You Why the Latest Round of Climate Talks Matter” (November 7, 2016). It offers a critical look at the human reality of the climate change, as nations across the globe are now re-evaluating their futures as a world that is rapidly warming.
A year after the historic Paris climate agreement was reached, country representatives are back at the negotiating table to work out how to implement it. But the talks in Marrakesh will seem a world away for those who are already seeing the effects of environmental stress and climate change first-hand.
As part of my research, I’ve been listening to stories from those who have lived on the front lines of climate stress and disasters.
My colleagues and I conducted interviews in seven study locations across Bangladesh to learn about the impact of environmental stress on their livelihoods.
Dalbanga South, Bangladesh. Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson/UNU-EHS, Author provided
Listening to the Frontline
We asked ourselves, when we started this project: How can we ensure that these stories are heard? We knew that we could not tell their stories in academic journals over and over.
Instead of publishing our interviews as journal articles or project reports, we decided to create photo films documentaries.
Instead of writing an academic article on why the Marrakesh Climate Talks are important, I decided to focus on the experience of a woman I interviewed for my study, Bhokul from Dalbanga South, in the southern coastal area of Bangladesh.
The day I ran away from my soul
Early warning systems can include facilitation, collaboration, and actions to minimize losses and damages caused by adverse climate changes, such as extreme weather events.
Early warning systems are vital for Bhokul’s livelihood and survival. After the 1970 Bhola Cyclone, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the national government established the Bangladesh Cyclone Preparedness Program.
The cyclone early-warning system consists of a combination flags, megaphones sirens, and BDRCS volunteer but sometimes people receive the warning too late, or not at. Some people receive the warnings but choose not to evacuate. This may be due to a variety of reasons, such as not wanting to leave behind their assets for livelihood.
In the 1960s, Bhokul’s family suffered a significant change when a large portion of their land was lost to erosion along the riverbank. She says that before riverbank erosion, her family was never worried about food. But as a result, they became poor.
The livelihood of the people depended on the crops that were produced, so when the land was taken away, this security was also lost. She said: