Seas 'threaten 20m in Bangladesh'

(September 7, 2009) Up to 20 million people in low-lying Bangladesh are at risk from rising sea levels in the coming decades, according to new research. Scientists predict that salty water could reach far inland, making it hard to cultivate staple foods like rice. The research comes as the government appeals for $5bn over five years to combat climate change. The predictions come from the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (Cegis) in Bangladesh. It suggests a surprisingly small area of land will be permanently lost to the waters, but notes that vast tracts in the south-west could be inundated every monsoon season. According to the researchers, data from 11 Bangladeshi monitoring stations shows an average sea-level rise of 5mm per year over the last 30 years, with climate models forecasting further rises. Of Bangladesh's total rice production, nearly half is so-called “monsoon” rice and much of that is grown in the areas most vulnerable to flooding. Bangladesh is among a number of developing countries campaigning for finance to help adapt to the effects of climate change. There are hopes that the richest nations will agree to massive funding at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December. Staff from the charity Oxfam point to the damage caused by Cyclone Aila last May to highlight why Bangladesh needs help preparing for future sea-level rise.