Perceptions of Climate Change and Its Impacts on Local Communities Along the Noakhali Coast in Bangladesh

Climate change and associated impacts have emerged as the greatest challenge for coastal communities in developing countries. Bangladeshi coastal communities are considered at high risk of climate change-associated extreme events. Limited research was conducted in highly vulnerable areas which were comparatively inaccessible, faced multiple disasters, and lived by the poorest communities. This study was carried out in two coastal sites at the Noakhali district in Bangladesh—a region which meets aforementioned three criteria. This study used a combination of questionnaire survey, field visits, observations, and focus group discussions (FGDs) to understand the community’s attitudes toward climate change and the associated impacts on their livelihoods and adjacent environment. Findings suggested that the socio-demographic status of the area was highly impoverished. The participants have limited formal education and engaged in traditional low-yield agricultural practices for their livelihood. Participants noted shifts in tropical cyclones, storm surges, heavy rainfall, floods, riverbank erosion, and seasonal variations. These alterations have detrimental effects on all facets of development, encompassing livelihoods, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and emergency shelter. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and NGOs have implemented several livelihood development and risk reduction interventions in the region. However, participants have raised several questions regarding the efficacy and adequacy of the external led risk reduction interventions.