Rising sea levels threaten women's reproductive health in Bangladesh

Women in Bangladesh are suffering severe health impacts from saltwater intrusion, a consequence of climate change that could soon affect other parts of the world.

Zoya Teirstein and Mahadi Al Hasnat report for Grist, Vox, and The 19th.

In short:

• Saltwater intrusion in Bangladesh is causing reproductive health issues, including irregular menstrual cycles and infections, particularly affecting women.
• The rise in sea levels, intensified by climate change, is pushing saline water inland, contaminating drinking water supplies and driving migration from rural areas to cities.
• Similar threats from rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion are emerging globally, affecting countries like Egypt, Vietnam, and the U.S.

Key quote:

“The people are trapped. When you don’t have water to drink, how do you live?”

— Zion Bodrud-Doza, researcher at the University of Guelph.

Why this matters:

As sea levels rise, saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies is a growing global health crisis, especially impacting women's reproductive health and driving mass migrations. Read more: Of water and fever.