Part Two, Issue 3 Coastal Population Growth: Bangladesh

Objectives After reading the assigned chapter and reviewing the materials presented the students will be able to understand: How human population growth threaten coastal areas? What can we do about the threats? Who is responsible for addressing the problem?

Introduction: Where Do You Live? According to the World Resources Institute, at least 60 percent of the world’s population lives close to the coastline (100 kilometers or 62 miles). Over half of the world’s coastlines are at significant risk from development related activity. Some of these activities are: Conversion of tropical mangroves to fish and shrimp farms. Expansion of many coastal cities that are in the direct path of hurricanes, monsoons, and other tropical storms. Pollution from agriculture and meat production. Release of untreated or partially treated human sewage.

Bangladesh Bangladesh, a country about the size of Illinois or Florida lies on the north shore of the Indian Ocean. Bangladesh is vulnerable to catastrophic flooding from river discharges as well as from tropical storms. About 25 to 30 percent of the country is flooded every year. More than 17 million people live on land that is less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) above sea level. About 40 percent of global deaths from storm surges occur in Bangladesh.

Population Growth in Bangladesh Bangladesh had a 2006 population of 147 million on a land area of 144,000 square kilometers (55,000 square miles). The population density is calculated by dividing the population by the area it inhabits. The population size is more meaningful when you know the population density. We have to mitigate (lessen) the threats for an environmental disaster in Bangladesh. Implications of the human population growth for the coastal environment include air and water quality, land use, and species loss. These are causes for concern.

Summary According to the World Resources Institute, at least 60 percent of the world’s population lives close to the coastline (100 kilometers or 62 miles). Over half of the world’s coastlines are at significant risk from development related activity. Some of these activities are: Conversion of tropical mangroves to fish and shrimp farms. Expansion of many coastal cities that are in the direct path of hurricanes, monsoons, and other tropical storms. Pollution from agriculture and meat production. Release of untreated or partially treated human sewage. Bangladesh, a country about the size of Illinois or Florida lies on the north shore of the Indian Ocean. About 40 percent of global deaths from storm surges occur in Bangladesh. The population density is calculated by dividing the population by the area it inhabits.

Home Work 1. How does human population growth threaten coastal areas?