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.

grist.org

Rising sea levels threaten women's reproductive health in Bangladesh

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