Climate change trends in Bangladesh

A summary of climate change trends in some hydrologic aspects that have manifested so far in Bangladesh is presented and compared with the forecasts, especially as reported in the Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC (2007). Changes in distribution pattern of temperature are analysed with quantile regression. Precipitation in Bangladesh is abundant compared to many other parts of the world, but it is the temporal distribution of rainfall that can have more significant impact if changes do occur. Changes in temporal distribution can be captured through PCI (Ceballos-Barbancho et al, 2008). There are certain aspects of climate change attributable to global warming which is occurring outside the territorial boundaries of Bangladesh but will affect the nation nevertheless. One such aspect is the decline of accumulated snow in the Himalayas, which is a major source of freshwater in Bangladesh. Another aspect is sea-level rise. Sea level will continue to rise in this century and beyond even with emission control and mitigation measures. Bangladesh being a deltaic region is very vulnerable to sea-level rise.