No Planet B: Earth Day Through The Eyes of Bangladesh’s Farmers

From One Earth to Earth Day: The Earth is around 4.5 billion years old. For most of its history, it evolved in silence, sculpting mountains, flowing rivers, growing forests, and nurturing life in its many forms. But in recent centuries, that silence has been broken. With the Industrial Revolution came machines, factories, and fossil fuels. Along with progress and convenience came pollution, deforestation, and climate change.

It was in response to these growing environmental dangers that Earth Day was born on April 22, 1970. Nearly 20 million people across the United States came together to demand action for clean air, water, and environmental protection. Their voices led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and inspired a wave of global environmental legislation. Today, Earth Day is observed in over 190 countries, a worldwide reminder that we are not owners of the planet but its stewards.

This year, as we mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” calls attention to the strength of collective action, the ability of individuals, communities, and nations to come together and restore the Earth through bold, sustainable choices. For Bangladesh, a country deeply connected to nature and deeply impacted by climate change, the theme is both timely and urgent.

Innovation and Responsibility: Scientific and technological progress has been one of humanity’s greatest tools. It has improved healthcare, boosted food production, reduced poverty, and connected people across continents. In Bangladesh, scientific breakthroughs in agriculture, mobile technology, and rural development have transformed lives.

The agricultural sector in Bangladesh, which employs over 40% of the labor force and contributes around 11.2% to the GDP (BBS, 2024), has seen impressive growth due to high-yielding crop varieties, better irrigation systems, and government incentives. For example, rice production increased from 18 million tons in 1991 to over 38 million tons in 2023, even with less arable land, thanks to innovation.

However, these same advancements have introduced serious environmental challenges. Intensive farming methods have led to soil degradation in over 52% of cultivable land (SRDI, 2023), and pesticide misuse has contaminated water bodies and food chains. Carbon emissions from vehicles and brick kilns, of which Bangladesh has over 8,000, mostly using outdated technology, continue to choke the air, especially in urban fringes. The tools we have created can be harmful or helpful, depending on how we use them. On Earth Day 2025, we must ask how we can use our knowledge to heal the planet instead of harming it.

That power lies not only in governments or institutions but also in the hands of everyday people. A farmer adopting a new irrigation method, a student planting trees, a community protecting a wetland, all of these are powerful acts. The theme reminds us that when we act together, we multiply our strength.

A Life on the Edge: Few countries face the climate crisis as directly as Bangladesh. Despite contributing less than 0.5% to global carbon emissions, it consistently ranks among the top ten countries most affected by climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2023. Bangladesh's low-lying deltaic geography, dense population, and agriculture-dependent economy make it highly vulnerable. In the northern regions like Rajshahi and Rangpur, prolonged droughts and groundwater depletion are rendering boro rice cultivation unsustainable. Groundwater tables in parts of the Barind Tract are dropping by more than 1 meter per year.

In the southern coastal zones, over 1.5 million hectares of farmland are affected by salinity intrusion, particularly in districts like Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat (Soil Resources Development Institute, 2024). This salinity reduces crop yields, disrupts fish farming, and affects freshwater supplies. In the northeastern haor basins, early flash floods now arrive in late March or early April, weeks before the Boro harvest. In 2017, over 220,000 hectares of Boro rice were destroyed in just a few days, affecting over 850,000 people.

Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has shown remarkable resilience. The country's cyclone shelters, improved forecasting, and community-based disaster preparedness programs have significantly reduced cyclone-related deaths by over 90% in the last three decades, demonstrating the power of local solutions to face extraordinary challenges.

Farming the Future: In Bangladesh, agriculture is not merely an economic activity, it is deeply woven into the country’s cultural fabric, family life, and national identity. While global debates often highlight agriculture’s contribution to emissions, Bangladesh presents a more nuanced reality. When managed wisely, traditional farming practices here can enhance carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and soil health. Farmers across the country are increasingly embracing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) to adapt and mitigate climate impacts.

In saline-prone coastal regions, over 100,000 farmers now cultivate salt-tolerant rice varieties such as BRRI dhan67 and BINA dhan10, which can withstand salinity levels up to 10 deciSiemens per meter. In flood-prone districts like Sunamganj and Kishoreganj, floating gardens, or dhap, built from water hyacinth and compost allow for monsoon vegetable cultivation. Techniques like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), promoted by IRRI and DAE, save up to 30% water and cut methane emissions by 48%. Organic composting, vermiculture, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are gaining popularity in places like Jashore and Tangail, with over 500 DAE-supported community groups shifting away from synthetic inputs. These solutions combine local knowledge with research, placing farmers at the center. To scale up, Bangladesh needs to invest in green finance, climate insurance, modern extension services, and fair, sustainable markets.

Communities Leading Change: Women and youth are increasingly emerging as powerful agents of change in Bangladesh’s climate resilience journey. In Gaibandha, women-led community groups manage early warning systems and post-disaster relief, showcasing local leadership in action. In Cox’s Bazar, youth collectives advocate for plastic-free beaches and sustainable tourism. Digital innovations are also transforming agriculture. Apps like Krishoker Janala, Smart Farmer, Khamari, e-Livestock, and Digital Krishi provide real-time weather updates, pest management, livestock care, and market data. The Khamari app, developed by BARC, offers farmers customized advice on crop selection, fertilizer use, and input efficiency, cutting costs and improving yields. Bangladesh’s clean energy transition is also notable, with over 6 million solar home systems installed through IDCOL, the world’s largest off-grid solar program.

However, only 57% of rural households have reliable internet, and digital literacy, especially among women and smallholder farmers, remains low. Expanding rural connectivity, training, and inclusive design are essential to ensure that tech-driven climate solutions are truly equitable.

A Better Path Forward: The old development model, where nature is exploited first and restored later, no longer works in a world facing the harsh realities of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. These are not side effects of progress but direct threats to our survival and well-being. Earth Day urges us to chart a new course rooted in regeneration, equality, and care for both people and the planet. This path includes designing greener, flood-resilient cities like Khulna and Sylhet, and investing in electric public transport and green infrastructure that reduce emissions and enhance urban sustainability.

It also means expanding protected areas beyond the current 5.3% of national territory (IUCN, 2024) to conserve our rich biodiversity. Environmental education must become compulsory at all levels of schooling, building awareness from an early age. We need to support eco-friendly enterprises, such as jute-based packaging and solar-powered irrigation, that blend innovation with sustainability. Most importantly, this path demands a shift in values, placing human and ecological well-being above short-term profit, and building a future that is resilient, inclusive, and fair for all.

Writing the Story of Earth Together: The Earth’s story is still unfolding, written in every tree we plant, every pond we protect, and every bold step we take against climate change. Earth Day is not just a date; it’s a daily call to action. With over 60% of its population under 35, Bangladesh has the youthful energy, community resilience, and deep-rooted connection to nature to lead by example. But leadership demands we listen to the land, honor ecological boundaries, and invest in people-powered solutions. Let Earth Day 2025 be a turning point, where we protect our only home, not just for today, but for every tomorrow. One Earth. One Chance. One Shared Future.


Dr. Shahrina Akhtar is Technical
Specialist & Research Adviser at
Krishi Gobeshona Foundation.