Climate Change and the Economics of Accessing Safe Drinking Water: Contexts of the Physiographic and Climatic Vulnerable Areas of the Bengal Basin
摘要
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s primary goal is to ensure everyone has access to clean and sustainable water. From 2015 to 2022, the percentage of the world’s population with access to clean drinking water that is managed sustainably went up from 69% to 73%. However, around 26% of the global population still needs access to safe drinking water. This issue is particularly severe in areas with high population densities and water demands, especially in developing countries. The situation is especially dire for disadvantaged groups. The cost to achieve universal access to clean water was projected to be US$37.6 billion annually from 2015 to 2030, amounting to US$564 billion if everyone switched to clean drinking water services. The threat of water scarcity is growing due to climate change, which also increases the risk of water pollution. Water pollution can lead to diseases, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has set limits, or “safe maximum concentrations,” for over 100 chemicals in drinking water. Having access to clean water on site, with higher water quality, has been shown to significantly reduce cases of diarrhea compared to using water from unimproved sources. The Bangladesh government’s focus on water supply and sanitation aims to ensure that all citizens have access to essential services. There is a need for more efforts and activities to provide clean water access, especially in areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters. To ensure sustainable use, regular maintenance and monitoring of water systems are crucial, especially during these events.