The role of innovation and adaptation technologies in climate change-induced disaster risk reduction: enhancing resilience in Satkhira communities of Bangladesh
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Date
2024-02-29
Authors
Khan, Sabbir Ahmed
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Abstract
Climate-induced disasters, exacerbated by the changing climate, pose significant threats to the coastal communities of Bangladesh. This thesis investigates the multifaceted strategies of innovation, adaptation technology, and institutional processes to respond to and mitigate the impacts of climatic disasters and strengthen local communities' resilience. The required field data were collected from December 2022 to February 2023 in two coastal Unions of Bangladesh using various Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools such as key informant interviews, household surveys, and focus group discussions.
The research findings revealed that innovation and adaptation technologies emerge as critical components to minimize vulnerability and enhance preparedness in the face of catastrophic events. Innovations such as the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) help vulnerable communities by disseminating warning information and evacuating them to safer locations with the help of the CPP volunteers. The households avail loans and/or credit from various microfinance institutions (MFIs) to “bounce back” from climatic disasters. Such financial assistance has proven instrumental in facilitating timely repairs and reconstruction of houses in the aftermath of extreme climatic events, while also assisting in restoring livelihood activities and income generation. Adoption of adaptation technology is another strategy that is being widely practiced in the study area to cope with the shocks and stresses arising from climate change.
The formal, quasi-formal, and informal institutions were found to be deeply engaged locally in promoting climatic risk reduction efforts. These institutions facilitate the development of livelihood strategies, provide access to credit services, and help in mitigating climatic risks through knowledge sharing within the local community. The policy recommendations from the research underscore the necessity of a comprehensive framework for enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of coastal communities. Furthermore, it also emphasizes the integration of innovation and adaptation technologies at the local level for sustainable development.
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Keywords
Innovation, Adaptation technology, Coastal Bangladesh, Institutional dynamics, Climate-induced disasters, Climate change