Impact of Climate Change on Livelihoods Due to Forced Migration: Alterations in Climatic Variables and Related Factors in Coastal Bangladesh.

Barua, P. and Nargis, N., 2026. Impact of climate change on livelihoods due to forced migration: Alterations in climatic variables and related factors in coastal Bangladesh. Journal of Coastal Research, 42(3), 472–485. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Climate change is an urgent and unavoidable challenge for coastal populations. This research study focused on the influence of climate change on compelled coastal migration in southeastern Bangladesh. It analyses three parameters to assess the livelihoods affected by climate change–induced forced migration. Composite indicators categorise the following dimensions: climate change and related components, livelihoods affected by climate change, and forced migration induced by climate change. Purposive sampling was employed to choose houses in coastal Maheskhali Upazila, Cox's Bazar district, concentrating on families, their relatives, or neighbours who have migrated or intend to migrate from Maheskhali as a result of climate change impacts. Data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire through in-person interviews with 384 families. Principal component analysis was conducted to discern essential characteristics of climate change that affected livelihoods and induced migration. The study emphasised the scores across several aspects, revealing substantial correlations that indicate climate change compels vulnerable populations to migrate. The study delineates variables pertinent to climatic factors and associated phenomena, including temperature, humidity, wind patterns, cyclones, tidal surges, floods, coastal erosion, agricultural output, aquaculture, commerce, and other livelihood endeavours. It determined that alterations in climatic variables, specifically temperature, humidity, and wind patterns, coupled with intensifying severity and magnitude of phenomena such as cyclone strength, tidal surge height, flood inundation, salinity, and coastal erosion, are growing in the research area. Coastal communities have lost their livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, fishing, farming, and business, necessitating a transition in vocations and livelihood practices because of climate change, which ultimately results in forced migration. The climatic variables and related elements are affecting households' intentions concerning migration decisions. This study seeks to educate practitioners, development organisations, and policymakers on matters concerning forced migration induced by climate change and aid in attaining Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]