J. Agrofor. Environ. 6 (2): 13-16, 2012 ISSN 1995-6983 Climate change and its impact on health and livelihood within Hatiya Island of Bangladesh Md. Rafiqul Alam Executive Director, Dwip Unnayan Sangstha (DUS), Hatiya, Noakhali, Bangladesh, E-mail:
[email protected] Abstract: The coastal region in Bangladesh is characterized by a constantly changing geographic and geomorphologic volatile situation which is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters triggered by climate change. Geographically, Bangladesh, being the largest delta in the world is situated in the mouth of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, one of the toughest bays in the world generating terrible natural calamities i.e. cyclonic storm, tidal surge and floods. The coastal zone which is about one-fourth of the total land frequently become prey of the terrible natural disasters leaving devastating impacts on life and livelihood of many coastal habitants for thousands years past. The study has been carried out to assist the policy makers and the program managers of both public and private sectors, to gain an in-depth understanding of the perception of the community and individual about different aspect and impact of climate change. In order to conduct the aforesaid study, both quantitative and qualitative approaches of social research have been adopted to capture a comprehensive picture of the adversity of the natural calamities affecting socio-economic condition, life and livelihood pattern and health hazards of the island residents induced by climate change. Key words: Coastal zone, climate change, livelihood, migration, health, Hatiya island. Introduction 2. To understand people’s vulnerability, their adaptive Climate change is not just an environmental issueit is also capacity and how national programs and policy a health issue.