Climate change is a security threat. We must act now

The author asserts that climate change is the gravest threat to global business and industry, highlighting Bangladesh as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries. The text details how rising sea levels, erratic rainfall, and river erosion threaten the livelihoods of millions, risking the displacement of one third of the population and annual GDP losses of 2%-3%. Beyond economic impact, the author warns that climatic stress may spark conflicts within communities and undermine human security, calling for affluent societies to act ambitiously to transform lifestyles and economies.

• The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report has identified climate change as the most significant threat to global business and industry for three consecutive years, specifically citing water crises, natural disasters, and failures in mitigation and adaptation.
• Bangladesh faces severe climate risks, including the potential displacement of one third of its population due to rising sea levels and an annual GDP loss of 2%-3% resulting from climate impacts.
• Climate change in Bangladesh manifests through river bank erosion, increasing acidity in the Bay of Bengal, erratic rainfall, rising heat, and the emergence of new pathogens that threaten livestock, fisheries, and human health.
• Climatic vulnerabilities are identified as drivers of social instability and potential conflict within communities, which the author views as a more immediate threat to human security than conventional warfare.
• Despite vulnerabilities, Bangladesh has implemented adaptation measures, including the development of stress-tolerant crop varieties and the production of jute to help mitigate climate change.

APA

Hasina, S. (2019). Climate change is a security threat. We must act now. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/climate-change-is-a-security-threat-let-us-act-now/

Chicago

Hasina, Sheikh. Climate change is a security threat. We must act now. World Economic Forum, 2019. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/climate-change-is-a-security-threat-let-us-act-now/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Hasina |first1=Sheikh |title=Climate change is a security threat. We must act now |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=26 March 2019 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/climate-change-is-a-security-threat-let-us-act-now/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{hasina2019climate, author = {Hasina, Sheikh}, title = {{Climate change is a security threat. We must act now}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2019}, month = mar, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/climate-change-is-a-security-threat-let-us-act-now/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }