Climate Change Adaptation and Social Resilience in the Sundarbans

Household vulnerability to weather shocks and changing climatic conditions has become a major concern in developing countries. Yet the empirical evidence remains limited on the impact that changing environmental conditions have on households. This book explores climate change adaptation using a social resilience approach.

The book is based on primary data from the Sundarbans, a densely populated area located across parts of Bangladesh and India (West Bengal) which is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events and climate change. The focus is on assessing how households are affected by cyclones: whether they are able to cope with, adapt to and recover from events and changes; whether they are warned ahead of time; whether they benefit from government safety nets and other social programs; and finally whether they are driven to either temporary or permanent migration. This assessment leads to a better understanding of how exposure to an area of climate change vulnerability and risk affects and shapes human responses.

1. Introduction Anna O’Donnell and Quentin Wodon Part 1: Background 2. Three Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation Carolina Martin, Anna O’Donnell and Quentin Wodon 3. Focus of the Study and Data Quentin Wodon 4. Geographic, Historical, and Socio-economic Context Carolina Martin, Carrie Moy, Anna O’Donnell, and Quentin Wodon Part 2: Vulnerability, Coping, and Adaptation 5. Impact of Cyclones on Household Dwellings Minh Cong Nguyen and Quentin Wodon 6. Coping and Adaptation Minh Cong Nguyen and Quentin Wodon 7. Temporary and Permanent Migration Minh Cong Nguyen and Quentin Wodon Part 3: Government Programs 8. Early Warning Systems Anna O’Donnell and Quentin Wodon 9. Government Safety Nets and Transfer Programs Minh Cong Nguyen and Quentin Wodon 10. Synthesis and Conclusion Anna O’Donnell and Quentin Wodon

Anna O'Donnell is a Social Development Specialist with the Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice at the World Bank.

Quentin Wodon is an Adviser/Lead Economist with the Education Global Practice at the World Bank.