Bangladeshi Peasants: Climate change & Health

presented by Bangladesh Krishok Federation (BKF)

www.krishok.org

Who we are
BKF started in 1976 BKF has over 1 million members, made up of peasant farmers We are a food sovereignty and agrarian reform movement organisation Our members are already facing the challenges of climate change.

context
Most Bangladeshis are landless peasant farmers (= dont have enough land for house & subsistence farming) Tiny land area (<VIC) Huge population (>160 million) Highest population density worldwide (apart from some citystates) Mostly a low lying delta

Climate change
Bangladesh is very vulnerable to climate change. One
prediction: 1/3 of Bangladesh will be underwater by 2050.

In the south:
Sea level rise Cyclones increasing in frequency & intensity, coming further inland Waves reaching further inland Salinity increasing (b/c of above 3 points)

Climate change cont.

In the north: Desertification Rivers are flooding, then drying up (b/c of glacier melting in Himalayas) Fog is increasing Cold & hot seasons are intensifying Monsoon is no longer regular (across the country)

Knock-on effects
Increased ground water use for irrigation, so water table is going down Increased arsenic poisoning b/c some groundwater has arsenic Increased migration to city; more cheap labour for garment industry & shipbreaking Shift to shrimp cultivation in salty areas Increased use of hybrids to deal with climate changes; so increased pesticide & fertiliser use

Knock-on effects
Decreased river transportation Hybrid paddy (needs less water to grow) doesnt give long straw, so now:
corrugated iron or asbestos is becoming common for roofing Fewer cattle can be fed (less milk, meat & cow dung for fertiliser & fuel) So human nutrition

And on & on

Health Impacts
Lots of deaths and injuries by cyclones Difficult to access affected areas in aftermath

Health Impacts
After cyclones, people are drinking unsafe water and facing diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases

Health Impacts
Increased use of groundwater in some areas means:
Arsenic poisoning

Health Impacts
Food shortages, people are facing malnutrition (esp. b/c monsoon is irregular now) Over heating, freezing, Salty water and wind are also affecting peoples health

Our medical work

Distributing blankets for the cold Health clinics after cyclones But we are NOT a medical NGO! (This is just extra work on the side for us).

Please support us
Cut your emissions; get everyone you know to cut their emissions; get the Govt to cut Auss emissions, etc. Join Friends of Bangladesh here in Melb; raising money & awareness; friendsofbkf@gmail.com If you visit Bangladesh, we can organise clinic day/s and translator, and you can get a unique experience & really help!
Donate working laptops, digital cameras & mobile phones Donate money Friends of BKF & BKS Bendigo Bank account

Pathak Lal Golder Office Secretary & Dhaka City Committee President, Bangladesh Krishok Federation pathaklal@yahoo.com www.krishok.org