Eyes On Bangladesh’s Disappearing Coasts: Proposed Constitutional Protections For Coastal Communities Particularly Vulnerable To Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change, a phenomenon caused by global warming, has
impacted just about every part of the earth. As polar ice caps continue
to melt, people across the world are experiencing record-breaking heat
waves and warmer winters. These erratic weather patterns are just one of
the many impacts of climate change. Changes in temperature have altered
ecosystems and habitats for terrestrial and marine wildlife, and caused
human health to deteriorate. Larger, more industrialized countries are
the major contributors to climate change; however, smaller countries,
such as Bangladesh, suffer the consequences. This article analyses the
negative effects that climate change has had on Bangladesh, particularly
the vulnerable coastal communities of Bangladesh. Warmer temperatures
lead to warmer waters, a breeding ground for tropical cyclones and spells
disaster for those living along Bangladesh’s coasts. This article proceeds
to suggest possible domestic and international legal solutions to the
problem and examines the law that supports these proposals.