Four key factors have contributed to Bangladesh experiencing extreme heatwave during summer, according to the study findings of the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO).
The ESDO unveiled the findings at a press briefing held at the Women Voluntary Association (WVA) auditorium on Tuesday, highlighting the impact of climate change.
Bangladesh experienced highest 43.8°C temperature on record this year and if the current trend persist, temperatures may exceed 45°C by 2030 and 46°C by 2050, the ESDO projection indicates.
The temperature surge in Bangladesh is caused by four key factors: geographical location in the tropical monsoon climate zone; increased carbon emissions from fossil fuels and industries; oceanic influences such as El Niño events; and natural climate variability amplified by human activities.
These factors collectively intensified the recent heatwave, highlighting the critical intersection of local geography, global emissions, oceanic phenomena, and human-induced climate change impacts.
The ESDO study also found that Bangladesh has experienced a significant rise in average temperatures over the past 44 years, amounting to an increase of 0.5°C (0.9°F). Projections indicate that by 2030, this average temperature could further rise by 0.7°C, and by 2050, it might increase by 1.4°C (2.5°F).
“ESDO has done this projection based on previous trends and if these trends continue, the temperature will be intolerable for us in the future. Comprehensive, long-term policies should be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience against future heatwaves” Said ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Morshed, a former Secretary.
“The extreme heatwave in Bangladesh, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, underscores the urgent need to combat climate change,” said Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Senior Policy and Technical Advisor for ESDO and lead author of the study.
