Climate refugees are forced to adapt, as rising sea levels swallow Bangladesh’s land

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

SUMMARY

Few countries in the world are considered more vulnerable to the impact of rising sea levels and climate change than Bangladesh, a nation of 175 million people squeezed into a landmass the size of Iowa. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center, Fred de Sam Lazaro traveled to Bangladesh to look at efforts to build resilience in the face of the escalating consequences.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who are some of the individuals featured in this story?
2. What are some effects of the climate crisis in Bangladesh?
3. Where is Bangladesh? (see map)
4. When did erosion start to occur in Bangladesh?
5. How have people like Mohammed Rezwan, founder of Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, reacted to the climate crisis?

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

• What are the main causes behind the climate crisis level in Bangladesh?
• If you could propose one solution to the problem (with funding available from the international community), what would it be?

Media literacy: What is something you heard in the video that stuck out to you the most? What follow-up question might you have asked?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Take a look at the Climate Central website to use interactive tools that show you sea levels around the world, including where you live.

1. Explore sea level rise and coastal flood risks here: https://app.climatecentral.org/coastal-risk-finder. Type in your city/state. What did you notice? Did anything surprise you?
2. Take a look at the Sea Level rise page here. What does it say about Bangladesh?
3. Check out the Coastal Risk Screening Tool (if time allows, watch the tutorial) and choose a map that you’d like to explore further. Click year, water level, warming choices, etc. What parts of the world have coasts most under threat?
4. Media literacy check: Check out Climate Central’s About page, and then do a web search to see what else you can find out about the organization.

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