Climate change in a mingling-state: sea level rise confronts social susceptibility and justice in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh

Shyamnagar Upazila, within the Southwestern part of Bangladesh encompassing the entire Sundarbans, is located in the deltas of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Megna rivers in the Bay of Bengal and is an area extremely vulnerable to climate change, with serious consequences at the socioeconomic level. This doctoral research involved collecting data on physical, hydrological, geographical aspects, land cover change, rainfall changing patterns, water and soil trace elements, and tidal gauges. These data were complemented with the analysis of social and economic vulnerability dimensions through qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups and observation). Qualitative data collection techniques, including focus group discussions (FGDs), case studies, PRA (Participatory rural appraisal) questionnaires, workshops, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and participant observation, was undertaken in the Shyamnagar Upazila from 2017 to 2019 (through Skype + messenger + over telephone 2020 to 2022). A survey with a close ended questionnaire was applied at the first stage in nine unions (series-based analysis), at the second stage in 12 unions (risk, hazards, vulnerability and adaptation analysis) and at a third stage in 3 unions (safe drinking water and health analysis) with a total of (320 +387 +1579) household samples (n = 2286). Sea level rise has negative impacts on agriculture, riverbank erosion, and salinity, loss of natural ecosystems, gender vulnerability, poverty, food security, fisheries, safe water resources, migration, and public health factors that affect the development of SWCRB populations and cause climate injustices. This thesis analyzed the implications of coastal risks and hazards to the vulnerability of the local populations, while also addressing their perceptions of justice and adaptation strategies.A subida acelerada do nível médio do mar (SLR) é o impacto mais importante das alterações climáticas nas zonas costeiras do Bangladesh. Esta investigação de doutoramento centrou-se na região costeira do sudoeste do Bangladesh (SWCRB), que enfrenta um perigo iminente com a subida do nível do mar, com consequências diretas nas desigualdades sociais e na justiça climática. Com enfoque nos temas-chave dos ODS, esta compilação de artigos contribui para a implementação da Agenda 2030 das Nações Unidas, nomeadamente para os ODS1 – “Erradicar a pobreza”, ODS2 –“Erradicar a fome”, ODS3 – “Saúde de qualidade, ODS5 – “Igualdade de género”, ODS6 – “Água potável e saneamento”, ODS10 – “Redução das desigualdades”, ODS13 – “Ação climática” e ODS16 – “Paz, justiça e instituições eficazes”. Para analisar a vulnerabilidade induzida pela subida do nível do mar, esta investigação considerou a atual e futura modelização da subida do nível do mar. A metodologia utilizada é interdisciplinar e foi baseada numa abordagem de métodos mistos. Esta investigação inclui quatro artigos publicados em revistas revistas revistas por pares, integrados no corpo da tese como capítulos de resultados (capítulos 4 a 7), tendo o autor submetido ainda durante o período do doutoramento dois outros artigos e dois capítulos de livros que foram aceites e que, por conseguinte, estão incluídos como material suplementar a esta tese (anexos). O primeiro artigo (capítulo 4) centrou-se na modelação da subida do nível médio do mar (NMM). As projeções locais do nível do mar indicam que o este pode aumentar em meio metro ou até mais de um metro até ao final do século XXI. A região da Baía de Bengala revela taxas superiores às médias globais, devido à fusão dos glaciares dos Himalaias. Contudo, devido à natureza não linear da subida do NMM, é de esperar que as projeções sejam ultrapassadas, o que representa uma ameaça para a vida de milhões de pessoas no Bangladesh. Além disso, as zonas costeiras do sudoeste do Bangladesh são altamente vulneráveis à intrusão de água salgada, sobretudo devido aos ciclones e à subida do NMM, especialmente a região de Shyamnagar Upazila, e espera-se que isto se agrave durante o próximo século devido às alterações climáticas. Por conseguinte, este estudo analisa a geoquímica da água salgada e compostos relacionados, a resposta à intrusão salina nos sistemas fluviais e as possíveis áreas afetadas pelos eventos climáticos extremos nas condições actuais e em 2100. Esta análise mostrou que os níveis de salinidade do solo e da água são já altamente inadequados para os padrões de fertilidade do solo e a qualidade da água na região. Além disso, analisaram-se os principais impactos das alterações climáticas na saúde pública, começando pelo global e passando pelo local, estudando as comunidades costeiras na área de influência das Sundarbans. Discutimos quais são os principais desafios enfrentados pelos diferentes atores a nível local, incluindo o agravamento de certos riscos para a saúde da comunidade com os impactos das alterações climáticas. Os países em desenvolvimento estão a enfrentar grandes desafios em termos de mitigação e adaptação, no entanto são os que têm contribuído menos para as causas das alterações climáticas. Verificou-se que a maioria dos inquiridos vive abaixo do limiar da pobreza, com níveis de desigualdade relativamente baixos baseados num coeficiente de Gini de 28,5 (capítulo 5). Algumas das questões mais graves que afetam a subsistência das populações locais são os ciclones e as inundações, bem como o aumento da salinidade do solo e da água doce. Os mais pobres estão muito mais expostos aos eventos extremos, têm reduzidos recursos económicos para prevenir e recuperar dos seus impactos, e as suas fontes diretas de rendimento, na sua maioria baseadas em recursos naturais, são também duramente afetadas. Os resultados mostraram que o impacto das alterações climáticas difere entre homens e mulheres nas comunidades examinadas (capítulo 6). Entre os principais fatores que influenciam a vulnerabilidade da comunidade estão os níveis de escolaridade, as normas culturais locais. Ainda assim, estas mulheres têm potencial para participar em planos de conservação ambiental, para liderar movimentos sociais e ambientais, e para promover estratégias de gestão sustentável dos recursos naturais, uma vez que são consideradas como as guardiãs do conhecimento local. Finalmente, esta investigação propõe que, a fim de reduzir a vulnerabilidade feminina, as mulheres devem ser capacitadas e integradas em medidas de mitigação e planos de adaptação, tanto como partes interessadas como como agentes de mudança. Ao analisar o impacto socioeconómico das alterações climáticas, esta investigação contribui para o debate sobre a justiça climática, que é uma problemática social, política e económica (capítulo 7). Os países industrializados que mais contribuíram para o problema através da emissão excessiva de gases com efeito de estufa (GEE) são os menos propensos a sofrer as consequências. Tanto a abordagem baseada nos direitos humanos como a abordagem baseada nas capacidades são aqui discutidas, mas concluímos que esta última é a mais adequada para compreender a realidade no Bangladesh. Esta área está a sofrer enormes mudanças devido aos efeitos devastadores das alterações climáticas e da subida do NMM. Com base em extensivos estudos locais, a tese conclui que as populações locais gostariam de estar mais envolvidas na conceção, planeamento e implementação de estratégias para reforçar a resiliência das suas comunidades. A população local destaca como as suas principais necessidades ter acesso a água doce a preços acessíveis, a segurança alimentar e as infraestruturas sustentáveis, tais como estradas, casas, escolas e unidades de saúde. Nestas áreas, muitas vezes as formas de assistência centram-se na ajuda de emergência após grandes catástrofes; contudo, isto não é suficiente. A intensidade da subida do nível do mar torna cada vez mais difícil a reconstrução após a ocorrência de cada catástrofe. Foram ainda efetuadas análises para avaliar o estado da água, da vegetação e do solo na região. O estudo analisa os dados pluviométricos recolhidos pelo BWDB entre 1968 e 2018, mostrando as mudanças no padrão de precipitação ao longo dos anos e a diminuição da produção agrícola no SWCRB e reforçando o diagnóstico de declínio das terras agrícolas durante o período 1989-2019. Como forma de diversificar as suas fontes de rendimento, alguns agricultores converteram as suas terras para a criação de camarão, o que aumenta ainda mais a salinidade do solo. Além disso, a Barragem Farakka afecta negativamente a população da SWCRB ao reduzir o fluxo do rio Ganges para o Bangladesh. As medidas adaptativas utilizadas pelos agricultores incluem a construção de aterros, a recolha das águas da chuva, a drenagem adequada para reduzir o alagamento, o controlo da expansão das explorações de camarão e a introdução de culturas de de alto rendimento mas que são mais tolerantes à salinidade, bem como o emprego de novas técnicas de irrigação. Além disso, as técnicas agrícolas Sorjan e o cultivo flutuante, a pecuária e a agricultura apoiadas pela comunidade, são vistas pelos agricultores das zonas costeiras como uma forma de mitigar os impactos climáticos. A análise de vulnerabilidade revela que a população local já implementou com sucesso oito estratégias de adaptação baseadas na comunidade para reduzir a vulnerabilidade causada pela subida do mar e pelas inundações. Tem sido testemunhado que as práticas de adaptação implementadas com a participação direta das comunidades tem contribuído para a redução das vulnerabilidades e o reforço da resiliência das populações locais. Após as catástrofes, a reabilitação dos aterros costeiros com o envolvimento da comunidade local é uma resposta favorecida nos processos de adaptação estrutural, bem como a reflorestação costeira e os abrigos polivalentes construídos pelo governo para os furacões. Concluiu-se também que o governo deveria ter em consideração as propostas da comunidade local para ajudar no processo de adaptação. Já há um vasto número de vítimas das alterações climáticas na SWCRB. Ao mesmo tempo, estas regiões tornaram-se um campo de ensaio para estratégias de adaptação que são particularmente adequadas para as comunidades de pequena escala. Considerando as contribuições empíricas de todos os artigos incluídos nesta tese, pode argumentar-se que as estratégias de adaptação e resiliência, até à data, não têm considerado plenamente indicadores sociais tais como pobreza, desigualdade de género, empoderamento ou desigualdades de rendimentos. A subida do nível do mar, agravada pelas alterações climáticas, tem impactos negativos na agricultura, na erosão das margens dos rios e no aumento da salinidade, levando à perda de ecossistemas naturais, a uma menor segurança alimentar das populações e a maiores fluxos de migração, contribuindo ainda para agravar problemas de saúde pública que afetam o desenvolvimento das populações da SWCRB e geram crescentes injustiças

THE IMPACT OF CLOUD-BASED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON HRM EFFICIENCY: AN ANALYSIS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMEs)

Cloud-based management information systems (MIS) are becoming integral to the operational success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in enhancing the efficiency of human resource management (HRM) processes. This article, based on a comprehensive review of 75 peer-reviewed studies, investigates how the adoption of cloud-based MIS positively impacts critical HRM functions such as employee management, recruitment, training, and performance monitoring. The findings indicate that cloud-based systems significantly streamline these HR tasks by reducing time, costs, and the administrative burdens traditionally associated with manual or localized HR operations. Moreover, the integration of real-time data analytics through cloud-based platforms enhances decision-making capabilities, enabling HR professionals to make data-driven and timely decisions that improve overall workforce management. The reviewed studies also emphasize that cloud-based MIS are essential for improving strategic HR planning. These systems allow SMEs to access advanced tools for workforce analytics, employee engagement, and performance tracking, which were previously only accessible to larger corporations. The flexibility and scalability offered by cloud-based MIS enable SMEs to quickly adapt to changes in staffing needs, business growth, and external market conditions without the need for costly infrastructure. Furthermore, the review highlights the role of cloud technology in fostering innovation within HR departments by supporting predictive analytics and AI-driven decision-making, which can further enhance operational efficiency. In addition to operational benefits, cloud-based MIS facilitate a more seamless integration of HR functions across geographically dispersed teams, allowing for enhanced collaboration and communication. This capability is especially critical as SMEs continue to adopt remote and hybrid work models

The socio-economic background of immigrants affect the chances to get higher education in Sweden

The main reason behind gathering a great number of immigrants in Sweden is its neutral advocacy in world politics. Many of the immigrants have come to Sweden after completing their higher education in their own countries and want to work and live in Sweden. They prefer the socio-economic condition of Sweden better than any other countries even from their own countries sometimes. My area of this research is "Socio-economic background and immigration". I reviewed books, articles, other secondary data and will try to show the position of immigrants through socio-economic background as both are co-related. Immigration comes before socio-economic back ground or vice-versa. I will also try to focus on the position of education or what kind of educational facilities the immigrants are enjoying. "Socio-economic background" and "Effect of socio-economic background on higher education in Sweden" are the two points of my discussion. Here I will focus on the two points as well as "Socio-economic background" & Immigrant discussion make place this article respectively and the question is Does the socio-economic background of immigrants affect the chances to get higher education in Sweden? If so, then how it affects the chances? How does socio-economic and socio-cultural factors affect the educational attainment of higher education in second-generation immigrants in Sweden

State initiatives in conflict resolution as tool of development: a case of the Northeast India

This paper focuses on the relations between state initiatives in conflict resolution as a tool of bringing development in northeast India. The main task of this paper is to find out the historical importance of the role of state as an actor behind developmental activities in developing countries like India. I will discuss ethnic conflicts of the Northeast India and will also show what steps have been taken by Indian central Government to resolve the issue. I will also describe how and for what extent ethno-political conflicts started in this region with the historical background of ethnopolitical conflicts in institutional context. This paper will show how ethnic movements have been continuing and what measures have been taken by the government to solve the ethnic conflicts in different states of India, particularly in the Northeast area as well as focus on different cleavages and ethnic conflicts within the state. The impact of colonialism on the Northeast India is focused here emphasizing on the precondition and historical legacy of colonialism. There is a brief discussion on some provisions of law in this paper and constitutional provisions which were created in colonial India, but still exist in the Indian states. Internal conflicts is the main focus point of the paper paying attention to national and state-building strategies, in which I will further show how they act as external factors of development

Climate justice for the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh

Climate change is considered a moral, ethical and social issue, which makes it dierent from other developmental issues. The foremost instance of lack of justice regarding climate change is that the worst impacted areas are the ones with the lowest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, such as the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh (SWCRB). Climate change is principally triggered by the presence and eventual spread of industrialization. This study employed themixedmethod, combining qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis for development of a framework for climate justice. Data and information were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. In primary sources, quantitative data were collected from climate vulnerable community households using a structured close ended questionnaire and interactive sessions such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, workshops, and case studies. This study explored the perceptions of people in the SWCRB, currently experiencing devastating eects of climate change and sea level rise including extreme natural disasters, seasonal changes, flooding, salinization, riverbank erosion, and water logging. These climate-induced changes are causing loss of housing, livelihoods, and land to the natives, in addition to a lack of access to proper nutrition, potable water, and healthcare thus exacerbating social injustice. A capability-based approach to climate justice is introduced in this paper, which allows for residents of this region to prepare and rebuild their own communities and create adaptive mechanisms based on their specific capabilities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Current and Future Salinity Intrusion in the South-Western Coastal Region of Bangladesh

The southwestern coastal regions of Bangladesh (SWCRB) are highly exposed to saltwater intrusions brought about through cyclones and storm surges. These salinity intrusions are contributing to soil and water salinity in the coastal areas. This study aimed to determine the impact of these salinity intrusions on the quality of water and soil in three vulnerable coastal areas. In this investigation, water and soil samples were collected and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and other trace elements. The analysis found many of the parameters to be higher than the recommended values. The study found that in soil samples there was a significant correlation between OM and ECe dS/m, as well as K and TN; and a highly significant correlation between TN and OM. This study further examined the historical salinity data at low and high tides to determine any patterns occurring alongside storm surges and cyclones. Water salinity statistics were obtained from the three locations of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), which neighbours the study area. A Digital Evaluation Model (DEM) predicts the salinity induced by storm gushes in the corresponding impacted zones. Lastly, the study compared projections for future storm surges at current and predicted sea levels. Potential storm gushes circumstances from 1 to 9 m can impact up to 33% of the nation and 97% of the Shyamnagar Upazila. The occurrence of cyclone-related storms will increase and make cultivation and settlement in the region difficult. The predicted sea-level rises and saltwater contamination will intensify the adverse effects of salinity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ethnobotanical study of the family Marantaceae R. Br in Bangladesh Agricultural University Botanical Garden

The Marantaceae family is a diverse group of plants that has drawn the interest of scientists and researchers worldwide due to their distinctive morphological characteristics, ecological and economic relevance. The Bangladesh Agricultural University Botanical Garden is home to an abundance of Marantaceae species, making it a useful resource for examining the diversity and significance of this plant family. This present study was designed to survey and document the family Marantaceae with an overview of the family emphasizing its morphological, economic, and ethnobotanical relevance based on a literature review. During the study, we found 25 species (two of which have two varieties each) belonging to 8 genera of which Goeppertia contributed the most species, with 16, followed by Maranta with 4 (including varieties) and Thalia with 2; the remaining 5 genera each contributed one species. Our findings reveal the remarkable diversity and significance of Marantaceae plants in this region, highlighting the necessity for their conservation and protection

Exploring Gender and Climate Change Nexus, and Empowering Women in the South Western Coastal Region of Bangladesh for Adaptation and Mitigation

This study has been conducted to identify vulnerabilities and effects of climate change on women in 12 unions in Shyamnagar upazila in the Satkhira district in the Southwestern Coastal Region of Bangladesh (SWCRB). Climate vulnerability and gender inequality may increase due to climate change. Women may, thus, face specific conditions of vulnerability in society and daily livelihood. This paper focuses on investigating factors that influence women’s vulnerability from climate change, their adaptations, and the importance of women empowerment to reduce their inequality in SWCRB. This study also emphasizes gender inequality caused by climate change, and looks at accommodations for women to reduce hostile influences of climate change. From the 9 unions in SWCRB, a total of 320 household respondents were randomly selected to complete a questionnaire. The results of the statistical analysis showed that most of the survey’s perimeter has significant. Interviews, case studies, focus group discussions, workshops, and key informant interviews were also conducted from 12 unions, and it was found that climate change impacts men and women differently, with women being more vulnerable than men. Through case study this paper investigated the main factors influencing the vulnerability of women. In terms of empowerment women may also be well positioned to lead adaptation efforts alongside men, as this analysis represent that gender inequalities are leading by social norms. Women being more vulnerable both in short-term i.e., major natural disasters, cyclones, flood, and long-term i.e., sea level rise, salinity intrusion in water and soil, land erosion, droughts, climatic events, as they enhance gender inequalities. Further, gender inequality is seen in illiteracy, food shortages and poor health conditions, traditional norms, religious taboos, and patriarchy. Moreover, gender-based economic opportunities, women’s mobility, and income are changing, while household authority relations and gender-based socio-economic, cultural, and institutional constraints remain. This study examines the increased vulnerability of women in SWCRB to climate change, which can be mitigated through women empowerment; female involvement with environmentally friendly stoves, rural electrification and renewable energy development, microfinancing, and nakshikantha. (Nakshikantha is a special type of sewing art that is made by creating designs with different types of colored threads on plain stitches). Lastly, women may also lead adaptation efforts alongside men, make decisions, and promote their participation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio