| Analyst | Bahauddin Foizee |

The Earth’s climate is undergoing rapid changes, with rising global temperatures being a significant factor, commonly referred to as global warming. One of the major consequences of this warming is the rise in sea levels, which has not been fully explained in simple terms. The connection between global warming and sea level rise occurs in two main ways.

First, as ocean temperatures increase, the water expands, taking up more space in the seas and oceans, which directly contributes to rising sea levels. Second, higher temperatures cause the melting of ice and glaciers, particularly in colder regions. The meltwater from these ice masses then flows into the oceans, further raising sea levels.

This rise in sea levels poses a serious threat to the coastal areas of many countries, potentially submerging large portions of their land. Countries bordering the Bay of Bengal, such as Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Thailand, are especially vulnerable.

Bangladesh, a country already prone to frequent flooding, faces an even greater risk. With rising sea levels, it is predicted that by 2030, 6-8% of the country’s land will be submerged. Furthermore, the increased salinity from encroaching seawater threatens freshwater resources, such as rivers and aquifers, which many coastal communities depend on. This is not just a concern for Bangladesh but also for neighboring countries like India, Myanmar, and Thailand, where similar issues arise, especially during the dry season.

India’s vast coastline, stretching along the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and deep into the Indian Ocean, is also highly vulnerable. If global temperatures rise by 4°C, as could happen if climate change continues unchecked, a significant portion of India’s coastal areas, home to 55 million people, may be submerged. Even with the more ambitious target set at the 2015 Paris climate summit to limit warming to 2°C, about 20 million coastal residents would still be severely impacted by rising seas.

The situation in other Bay of Bengal countries is similarly dire. Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is sinking by about 10 centimeters each year and is at risk of being completely submerged in the coming decades. Myanmar’s coastal regions are also expected to be submerged by 2050 if current trends continue.

As climate change progresses, millions of people living in these vulnerable coastal areas will face the prospect of losing their homes and livelihoods, potentially becoming climate refugees. This unfolding crisis highlights the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change and protect these communities from the devastating effects of rising sea levels