Nature-Based Solutions to Promote Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Along the Coastal Belt of Bangladesh

Abstract

Nature-based solution (Nbs) is an empirical approach in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Coastal ecosystem–based Nbs is more proactive in reducing the risk of coastal hazards and thus assist communities in adapting to or mitigating climate change. This chapter aims to explore the role of coastal natural features as Nbs on increasing resilient food security for coastal climate–vulnerable people through providing food diversity. It also envisions to explore the role of coastal natural ecosystems such as coastal dunes, salt marshes, seagrass beds, how lagoons serve as natural buffers against cyclones, storm surges, sea waves, tidal surges, tidal floods, and protect the shoreline from coastal erosion and sea level rise. This chapter will also illustrate the performance of these ecosystems-based services, sand dunes, and other coastal ecosystem features on climate change adaptation and mitigation services through carbon storage and sequestration, groundwater storage, and land protection. The study was conducted in Kolapara of Patukhali district which is adjacent to Bay of Bengal and known as Kuakata beach. The study was conducted using RS and GIS, participatory research including household survey, focus group discussion, key informants interview, historical disaster loss analysis, and incorporating secondary information from different sources including scientific articles. The study illustrates that coastal natural features are most important Nbs to reduce hydrometeorlogical disaster and climate change adaptation and mitigating. But due to lack of consciousness, overexploitation, and lack of integrated coastal management approaches, most of these important ecosystem features are going to be lost or diminished.