In 2023, the Global Center on Adaptation partnered with BBC Media Action to train and mentor 40 local television journalists from Gaibandha, Kurigram, Rangpur, Bhola, Patuakhali, and Bagerhat – six climate vulnerable districts in Bangladesh – on reporting on locally led adaptation efforts.

In 2022, the Global Center on Adaptation partnered with Thomson Reuters Foundation to train 12 multimedia journalists across the world on reporting the impacts of climate change, and locally led efforts to address them. The training sought to expand coverage of local climate impacts, and locally led efforts to deal with them.

Sea level rise has led to an increase in soil and water salinity in the southwestern coastal districts of Bangladesh. Large scale shrimp farming and improper use of sluice gates have further exacerbated the situation. But farmers like Md. Nurunnabi is determined to continue growing vegetables for their livelihood. He received training on sack gardening from a local NGO and is successfully growing vegetables using this method. This has led to an increase in his income as well.

Irregular rainfall due to climate change poses an array of challenges for agricultural production in the northern district of Gaibandha, Bangladesh. Irrigation costs is one of the major issues facing farmers in the region. To cope with this, local farmers have started using solar irrigation pumps for their agricultural purposes. Their production costs have fallen by over 30% as a result. The practice is becoming increasingly widespread in the region, with almost 3,000 farmers across Gaibandha using solar irrigation pumps now.

Riverbank erosion displaces thousands of families every year from the Chars of Gaibandha. Community built and managed low cost bamboo walls/structures have proven to be highly successful in preventing erosion in Char Kunder Para. As typical riverbank protection methods with sand-filled mattresses or concrete blocks are expensive, this cost-effective, local technology—using locally-available material and manpower—provides a sustainable avenue to stem river erosion. Inspired by them, communities in other Chars are also opting for the same solution by contributing a small amount of their income to construct these bamboo walls.

Tulatoli Colony, situated in Ward no 5 of Monpura Island in Bhola, is home to around 100 families. Due to its low elevation and absence of embankments, the colony is frequently flooded during cyclonic storms and tidal surges. In response, families are building their homesteads and toilets on raised platforms to prevent inundation during floods.

Rehana Khatun had been living in Porar Char of Kurigram for the last 12 years, until a devastating riverbank erosion last year swallowed the entire Char. Losing her home and all her belongings, Rehana moved to the nearest YouthNet Char with her family. With training and financial support from a local youth-led organization called YouthNet, she bought a sewing machine and took up tailoring to earn a living. She is now earning enough to provide for her family.

Pashur river, situated in Mongla Upazila of Bagerhat district, Bangladesh, have become extremely saline in recent years, owing to rising sea levels. Nearly 400 local women, who fish in the river for a living, have been experiencing fertility issues and various skin ailments, being exposed to this highly saline water. More alarmingly, incidence of ovarian cancer has become increasingly prevalent in the area, already claiming the lives of several women. They now have no choice but to migrate elsewhere to safeguard their health and livelihood.

The people of Kandina village in Rangpur have lost most of their agricultural lands due to riverbank erosion and frequent flooding. Amidst this adversity, the women of Kandina have taken it upon themselves to provide for their families. After receiving training from a local youth-led organization called "Sopnochui Foundation", the women are now making "Nakshi Katha" (i.e. a traditional embroidered quilt) for the organization, in return of a monthly salary.

In Kainmari upazila of Bagerhat district, Bangladesh, traditional methods of shrimp farming have become unsustainable in recent years, owing to erratic rainfall patterns, frequent flooding and salinity intrusion induced by climate change. In response, a collective of 20 women and 5 men have joined forces to cultivate shrimp using the 'cluster method, which offers an innovative and effective solution to the issue. Local shrimp farmers are already realizing substantial profits using this approach.

Growing crops have become increasingly challenging in the Char areas of Gaibandha due to rise in aridity and incidence of drought conditions. Livestock rearing has emerged as an alternative livelihood option for local farming communities. Women, in particular, have taken up sheep rearing and are gradually becoming self-sufficient.

Over the last few years, the coastal district of Bagerhat has been experiencing a decline in fish and shrimp production due to rising temperatures and salinity intrusion. Upon receiving training from the Upazila Fisheries Office, Faisal, a young fish farmer, has recently introduced up to 4,000 oysters within his fish enclosure and started cultivating pearls as an alternative livelihood option. He expects to make an additional USD 5,000 – 7,000 annually as a result of this initiative. Enthused by the success, other young entrepreneurs in the area are also turning to this practice.

Increasing temperatures and reduced rainfall as a result of climate change are drying up rivers in the northern district of Kurigram. Land is becoming increasingly uncultivable due to this rise in aridity. To cope with the challenge, Rafiqul, a farmer from Char Shakhati in Chilmari Union of Gaibandha has taken up sheep rearing to earn a living. Other local farmers in the area are also leaning towards livestock rearing as an alternative livelihood strategy.

Char (riverine islands) areas situated along the Teesta river in the northern district of Gaibandha are frequently subjected to riverbank erosion, resulting in significant loss of land and property. To combat this issue, local residents of Bhati Kapshia Char in the Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha have collectively planted 4000-5000 trees of various species, including banana trees and vetiver grass, across a stretch of 1.5 kms along the riverbank. Erosion has substantially reduced since. Local authorities believe that this collaborative initiative could serve as a model for protecting other Char areas across the country.

The residents of Bhato ki Dhani, a hamlet in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district in India, use locally available materials to make their school more comfortable for young students in the face of rising temperatures.

In Bharatkhali Union of Gaibandha, a group of women collectively manage a Community Food Bank, which they had set up six years ago with support from NGOs. Every month, the women deposit up to one kilogram of rice grains each, which other villagers can borrow during periods of crisis and emergency situations. Over the years, the local community has significantly benefitted from this initiative, being able to access food in the aftermath of natural disasters such as flooding and riverbank erosion.

To cope with erratic rainfall patterns and monsoon flooding, farmers in Bhola have started using mulching paper for growing watermelons. This protects the crop from rainwater and pest attacks. Yields are much higher now and profits have nearly tripled. Inspired by the benefits, more and more farmers in the area are starting to adopt this practice.

People living along the Teesta river basin are engaged a constant battle with the forces of nature. For up to 4 months each year, they have to endure relentless flash floods caused by excessive rainfall. Despite the difficulties, the inhabitants remain deeply rooted to their homes, refusing to migrate elsewhere. Instead, they have devised ingenious strategies to cope with the challenges posed by annual flooding. These include adopting alternative livelihoods, stockpiling grains, and availing financial services from local lenders.

As the number of Chars (river islands) increase in the northern part of Bangladesh due to drying of rivers, people are opting for transporting passengers on horse drawn carriages as a livelihood option.

Climate change has significantly affected the cropping patterns of farmers in northern districts of Bangladesh who are mostly dependent on rice cultivation. But with support from the local agricultural extension office, farmers of Pamlarhat, Rangpur have turned their luck around by shifting from double cropping to multiple cropping systems.

People living in the bank of Teesta-Jamuna-Brahmaputra river are losing their lands and belongings to riverbank erosion caused by more intense and frequent floods. Number of climate migrants are also increasing as a result. Consequentially, women in the Batikamari Char of Gaibandha are experiencing a range of socio-economic challenges and health hazards. But against all odds, these women, determined to turn their luck around, have adopted different climate resilient farming methods such as growing vegetables on raised beds and taking up alternative livelihood options such as sheep rearing.

People of Lakhitari union of Rangpur, Bangladesh developed an embankment with their own resources to safeguard their lives and assets from the floods.

Last year, riverbank erosion claimed four Char islands in Gaibandha. In response to this environmental upheaval, approximately 400 individuals from these lost chars migrated to the recently formed Rasulpur and Guptomoni chars in pursuit of a more secure life. Here, they have erected homes and established farms on elevated grounds. Collaboratively, men and women work the land together, cultivating a diverse range of crops. Many have also turned to livestock rearing as an alternative means of earning a living.

Char lands (riverine islands) in the northern district of Gaibandha experience frequent flooding due to their low elevation. Farmlands remain submerged under water for a large part of the year as a result. To address this issue, local farmers have collectively set up vegetable gardens on raised beds. This protects the crops during periods of excessive rainfall. Local authorities believe this practice can be replicated by farmers all over Bangladesh, and thereby reap positive outcomes for the country’s overall food security.

Farmers in Rangpur have started early planting of winter vegetables to avert potential crop damage due to cold weather extremes. Pesticide use has reduced as a result, and farmers are now earning more profits than before. The local agriculture extension office has been providing necessary awareness and training on the benefits of early planting, and more and more farmers are beginning to adopt this practice.