Vulnerability - Ghana vs. Bangladesh

Geography of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is mostly a low-lying, flat delta, making it highly vulnerable to flooding.

Elevation in Bangladesh

75% of Bangladesh is less than 10 meters above sea level, increasing flood risk.

River Convergence in Bangladesh

The Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers converge in Bangladesh, contributing to frequent flooding.

Floodplains of Bangladesh

80% of Bangladesh is located on low-lying floodplains of the delta.

Flooding in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is prone to seasonal flooding due to its monsoon climate, providing fertile soil but also posing risks.

Monsoon Rainfall Prediction

Monsoon rainfall in Bangladesh is predicted to rise by 40% by 2030, increasing flood risks.

1998 Bangladesh Flood

In 1998, 75% of Bangladesh was flooded, displacing 30 million people and causing over 1,000 deaths.

Impact of the 1998 Flood

The 1998 flood destroyed 700,000 hectares of crops, severely impacting agriculture and food security.

Flood Action Plan (FAP)

Launched in 1988, the FAP aimed to protect Bangladesh from future flooding with funding from the World Bank and other HICs.

FAP Measures

Included flood level monitoring, warning systems, levees, flood shelters, drainage channels, and reduced deforestation.

Flood Shelters

FAP included building 200 flood shelters on stilts for evacuated people to provide safety during floods.

Flood Water Storage Systems

FAP created flood water storage systems and 5,000 km of drainage channels to divert floodwater from buildings.

Levees and Embankments

Levees and embankments were constructed to protect against flooding from tidal waves and storm surges.

Problems with the FAP

Many parts of the FAP were not completed due to inadequate funding and corruption.

Forced Relocations

The FAP forced 8 million people to move to accommodate construction, leading to social and economic disruptions.

Downstream Impact

Changing the river channel upstream caused increased flooding in downstream areas.

Agricultural Impact

Recognition that some flooding is necessary for agriculture, as it provides vital water and nutrients for crops.

Maintenance Costs

The Bangladeshi government struggled to afford the maintenance costs of FAP structures, affecting long-term effectiveness.

FAP's Lack of Success

The FAP was not considered a success due to incomplete projects, inadequate funding, and negative environmental impacts.

Ghana's Economy

Ghana is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, with 45% of the workforce employed in agriculture.

Ghana's Climate Vulnerabilities

Ghana is vulnerable to drought and reduced rainfall, which threaten food and energy security; rainfall is expected to decrease by 4% by 2040.

Temperature Increase in Ghana

Ghana’s mean annual temperatures have increased by 1°C since 1960 and are projected to rise by another 1-3°C by the 2060s.

Urbanization in Ghana

55% of Ghana's population lives in rapidly developing urban areas, of which 25% are along the coast, increasing vulnerability to sea-level rise.

Sea-Level Rise in Ghana

Sea levels are expected to rise by 75-190 mm by 2100, threatening coastal communities and infrastructure.

Agricultural Impacts in Ghana

Climate change is causing increased crop loss, shorter growing seasons, desertification, and higher pest and disease rates in Ghana.

Fisheries in Ghana

Ghana's fisheries are facing reduced productivity, declining fish stocks, loss of food sources, and loss of income.

Energy Sector Impacts in Ghana

Reduced rainfall in Ghana is affecting hydropower production, leading to increased costs and intermittent services.

Water Issues in Ghana

Climate change is causing a decline in water quality, seawater ingress, and groundwater contamination in Ghana.

Health Impacts in Ghana

Climate change is increasing vector- and waterborne diseases, respiratory illnesses, and putting additional strain on Ghana's healthcare system.

Ghana's National Adaptation Plan (NAP)

The NAP aims to address climate change impacts sustainably through infrastructure development and ecosystem restoration.

Ghana's Adaptation Strategies

Strategies include building dams, levees, seawalls, and restoring natural habitats like mangrove swamps for ecosystem services.

Bangladesh vs. Ghana: Geography

Bangladesh is low-lying and coastal with a monsoon climate, while Ghana has two ecological zones with a tropical climate influenced by monsoon winds.

Social Vulnerabilities in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has high population density on floodplains with inadequate housing and infrastructure, increasing flood risk.

Economic Overview of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a lower-middle-income country with high income inequality and a growing services sector that contributes 54.6% to GDP.

Economic Overview of Ghana

Ghana has a stable economy transitioning to industry and services, with agriculture employing 45% of the workforce. 70% of the country’s land is dedicated to agriculture.

Policy and Governance in Bangladesh

Bangladesh implements climate strategies like BCCSAP and NAPA to address climate impacts.

Policy and Governance in Ghana

Ghana's NAP promotes sector-specific and local-level planning with climate-smart agriculture and alternative livelihoods.

Bangladesh's Vulnerability

More intense rainfall, cyclones, increased sea levels, and food insecurity are key climate threats to Bangladesh.

Ghana's Vulnerability

Higher temperatures, reduced precipitation, increased drought, food insecurity, and water stress are key climate threats to Ghana.

Adaptive Capacity of Bangladesh

Adaptive capacity is hindered by limited resources, economic constraints, and lack of technology in Bangladesh.

Adaptive Capacity of Ghana

Ghana supports climate-smart agriculture and alternative livelihoods to build resilience against climate impacts.