Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Bangladesh’s Environmental Problems essay part 2Essay Writing Service
Bangladesh’s Environmental Problems essay part 2Essay Writing Service Bangladesh’s Environmental Problems essay part 2 Bangladesh’s Environmental Problems essay part 2Bangladesh’s Environmental Problems essay part 1The Impact of Climate Change-Induced Sea Level Riseon the Poor and Vulnerable in Bangladesh           One of the most serious consequences of climate change in Bangladesh is sea level rise. Many researchers believe that sea level rise has direct impact on the country and its people (Soroar Routray, 2012; Cho, 2008; Shaw et al., 2013).  Besides, sea level rise provides â€Å"synergy to amplify the devastating power of disasters which ravage the country recurrently†(Soroar Routray, 2012, p. 577). Sea level rise has a widespread impact on the coastal environment of Bangladesh. Researchers identify some biophysical impacts, such as â€Å"increased coastal erosion, more extensive coastal inundation, higher storm surge flooding, and landward intrusion of seawater in estuaries and aquifers†(Cho, 2008, p. 28). Sea level rise a ffects the deltas of the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. As a result, the key sectors of the economy are at high risk. In other words, the biophysical impacts identified by researchers lead to a wide range of socio-economic impacts. The major socioeconomic impacts include â€Å"increased loss of property and coastal habitats, increased flood risk and potential loss of life, damage to coastal protection and other infrastructure, loss of tourism and transportation functions†(Cho, 2008, p. 29). Besides, sea level rise has a negative impact on agricultural system of the region and aquaculture through considerable quality degradation of water and soil (Cho, 2008),  Researchers argue that mangrove forests play an important role in coastal environment of the region, providing the highest biological productivity. However, sea level rise in the coastal zone of Bangladesh (the area of Sundarbans) may lead to the depletion of mangrove forests. According to Kwangwoo Cho (2008) , â€Å"sea level rise will change the salinity distribution in the coastal zone and hence the productivity of mangrove forests in the region†(p. 29). Today beach erosion can be found along the coastal line of Bangladesh (Cahoon, 2009; Cho, 2008).           Taking into consideration the above mentioned impacts of sea level rise, it is necessary to assess the impact of climate change-induced sea level rise on the poor and vulnerable in Bangladesh (Cahoon, 2009). The statistical data show that the potential land loss due to sea level rise of 100 cm in Bangladesh coastal zone will be 29, 846 km (20. 7%). The population exposed to sea level rise under the absence of adaptability to this crisis will be 14.8 million people (13.5%) (Cho, 2008).           The poor and vulnerable in the coastal zone of Bangladesh may face serious problems caused by sea level rise. One potential problem is the increase in the salinity of coastal area, which could have a potential impact on drinking water and the organisms of aquatic ecosystem (Bhuiyan Dutta, 2011). Another serious problem is the extreme vulnerability of coastal zone of Bangladesh to cyclones and storm surges due caused by climate change induced sea level rise (Cahoon, 2009). Researchers state that â€Å"the Bangladesh coastal zone could be termed a geographical death trap due to its extreme vulnerability to cyclones and storm surges†(Kay Alder, 2005, p. 50). In Bangladesh, a large number of coastal people live in poverty (Dasgupta et al. 2009). They have poorly constructed houses, which are can be easily ruined by cyclones and storm surges. The lack of high quality cyclone shelters, the improper cyclone forecasting and warning systems, as well as the tremendously low lying land of the coastal area lead to the massive loss of human lives from cyclones (Cahoon, 2009; Kay Alder, 2005).           In addit ion, poor coastal communities in Bangladesh depend on various forms of coastal aquaculture system to support their families. These forms include crab fishing, shrimp fisheries, and seaweeds culture (Kay Alder, 2005). According to statistical data, â€Å"in Bangladesh, 20 million rural farm households, 40% of whom live below the poverty line of US $1.25 per day, depend on the aquatic agricultural systems†(Resilient livelihoods and food security in coastal aquatic agricultural systems, 2012, p. 2). Sea level rise has negative impact on coastal aquaculture system, making people suffer from the lack of resources to support their livelihoods (FitzGerald et al., 2008). In other words, the poor people living in the coastal zone of Bangladesh will lack the benefits flows from a wide range of coastal resources due to sea level rise (Bhuiyan Dutta, 2011; Cahoon, 2009).           Besides, livelihoods of the poor communities in the forest zones of Ban gladesh, who are dependent on forest resources, will face considerable challenges caused by sea level rise. According to researchers, â€Å"salinity intrusion severely affects forest resources, especially in the coastal region, with moderate impacts on poverty and economic growth†(Thomas et al., 2013, p. 5). In general, there is a close relationship between the effects of climate change, poverty rate and economic growth of the country. It has been found that climate change induced sea level rise creates considerable challenges for the sustainable development of Bangladesh (Thomas et al., 2013; Bhuiyan Dutta, 2011).  The poverty rate identified in the coastal communities of Bangladesh will be increased by the negative effects of sea level rise, including the reduction in agricultural production, reduction in forest resources and aquaculture resources (Thomas et al., 2013).Conclusion           Thus, it is necessary to conclude that climate change induced sea level rise is a serious environmental problem in Bangladesh. The impacts of sea level rise are different in different areas because of the existing differences in coastal environment. In Bangladesh, the coastal system lacks the required adaptability of both natural system and socioeconomic system. Sea level rise has negative impacts on the low lying areas of Bangladesh, including such impacts as inundation, considerable salt water intrusion, severe coastal erosion, increased ground subsidence and other ones. The vulnerability of Bangladesh to sea level rise in higher than in other Asian countries because of its geographic location and weather conditions.  The impact of sea level rise due to climate change on the poor in Bangladesh leads to reduced employment opportunities, low income and economic challenges. Sea level rise in coastal zone of Bangladesh leads not only to the growth of poverty rate, but also to serious economic and social challenges associated wi th increased drought, increased level of salinity intrusion, flooding and other negative effects. The poor people suffer more than others because they have no opportunity to respond to this crisis effectively.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Population Figures for the Dynasties of Ancient China
Population Figures for the Dynasties of Ancient China As of 2016, the population of China was 1.38 billion people. That phenomenal number is matched by enormous early population figures. Censuses were taken as a rule by ancient rulers beginning in the Zhou Dynasty, but what the rulers were counting is somewhat in doubt. Some censuses refer to the number of persons as mouths and the number of households as doors. But, conflicting figures are given for the same dates and its possible that the numbers refer not to the total population, but taxpayers, or people who were available for either military or corvee labor duties. By the Qing Dynasty, the government was using a ting or tax unit to count in the census, which is based on a head count of population and more on the ability of the population to support the elites. Xia Dynasty 2070–1600 BCE The Xia dynasty is the first known dynasty in China, but even its existence is doubted by some scholars in China and elsewhere. The first census was said by Han dynasty historians to have been taken by Yu the Great in about 2000 BCE, with a total of 13,553,923 people or possibly households. Further, the figures are likely Han Dynasty propaganda Shang Dynasty 1600–1100 BCE No surviving censuses. Zhou Dynasty 1027–221 BCE Censuses became normal instruments of public administration, and several rulers ordered them at regular intervals, but the statistics are somewhat in doubt 1000 BCE: 13,714,923 persons680 BCE: 11,841,923 persons Qin Dynasty 221–206 BCE The Qin Dynasty was the first time China was unified under a centralized government. With the ending of wars, iron implements, farming techniques, and irrigation were developed. No surviving censuses. Han Dynasty 206 BCE–220 CE About the turn of the Common Era, population censuses in China became statistically useful for the entire united mainland. By 2 CE, censuses were taken and recorded on occasion. Western Han 2 CE: persons per household: 4.9Eastern Han 57–156 CE, persons per household: 4.9–5.82 CE: 59,594,978 persons, 12,233,062 households156 CE: 56,486,856 persons, 10,677,960 households Six Dynasties (Period of Disunity) 220–589 CE Liu Sung State, 464 CE, 5.3 million persons, 900,000 households Sui Dynasty 581–618 CE 606 CE: persons per household 5.2, 46,019,956 persons, 8,907,536 households Tang Dynasty 618–907 CE 634–643 CE: 12,000,000 persons, 2,992,779 households707–755 CE: persons per household 5.7-6.0754 CE: 52,880,488 persons, 7,662,800 tax payers755 CE: 52,919,309 persons, 8,208,321 tax payers845 CE: 4,955,151 households Five Dynasties 907–960 CE After the fall of the Tang dynasty, China was split into several states and consistent population data for the entire county is not available. Song Dynasty 960–1279 CE 1006–1223 CE: persons per household 1.4-2.61006 CE: 15,280,254 persons, 7,417,507 households1063 CE: 26,421,651 persons, 12,462,310 households1103 CE: 45,981,845 persons, 20,524,065 households1160 CE: 19,229,008 persons, 11,575,753 households1223 CE: 28,320,085 persons, 12,670,801 households Yuan Dynasty 1271–1368 CE 1290-1292 CE: persons per household 4.5-4.61290 CE: 58,834,711 persons, 13,196,206 households1330 CE: 13,400,699 households Ming Dynasty 1368–1644 CE 1381–1626 CE: persons per household 4.8-7.11381 CE: 59,873305 persons, 10,654,362 households1450 CE: 53,403,954 persons, 9,588,234 households1520 CE: 60,606,220 persons, 9,399,979 households1620–1626 CE: 51,655,459 persons, 9,835,416 households Qing Dynasty 1655–1911 CE In 1740, the Qing dynasty emperor ordered that population statistics be compiled annually, a system known as pao-chia, which required each household to keep a tablet by their door with a list of all the members of the household. Later those tablets were kept in regional offices. 1751 CE: 207 million persons1781 CE: 270 million persons1791 CE: 294 million persons1811 CE: 347 million persons1821 CE: 344 million persons1831 CE: 383 million persons1841 CE: 400 million persons1851 CE: 417 million persons Sources Duan C-Q, Gan X-C, Jeanny W, and Chien PK. 1998. Relocation of Civilization Centers in Ancient China: Environmental Factors. Ambio 27(7):572-575.Durand JD. 1960. The Population Statistics of China, A.D. 2-1953. Population Studies 13(3):209-256.
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