United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh called on global leaders at the COP30 climate summit to deliver survival-centered, justice-driven climate finance for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), warning that millions already face irreversible losses from a crisis they did not cause. ​Farida Akhter, Adviser for Fisheries and Livestock and head of the Bangladesh delegation, told a high-level ministerial dialogue on Saturday (November 15) that climate finance for LDCs must be predictable, grant-based, and rooted in justice to match the scale of the devastation in vulnerable nations. ​Speaking on behalf of the LDC Group at the summit in Belém, Brazil, Farida emphasised that the world's poorest communities are already experiencing severe climate impacts, including: ​1. Rising seas and salinity ​2. Coastal erosion ​3. Destructive cyclones ​Farida said Bangladesh’s presence at COP30 was not to repeat "old grievances" but to push for concrete solutions. ​At a briefing later at the Bangladesh Pavilion, Farida highlighted climate-driven threats to the country’s iconic Hilsha fish. Climate protesters march on COP30 in Brazil, demanding action Shifting river patterns and habitat degradation are endangering the species, which is vital to Bangladesh's economy and culture. ​The delegation also pressed for critical policy shifts, including: ​1. Closing gender gaps in climate policy. 2. Recognising and ensuring women’s leadership and full participation in negotiations and national plans. ​Farida also praised the strong presence of youth leadership within the national delegation, crediting young negotiators with bringing "clarity, courage and new energy" to global climate diplomacy. COP30 climate summit opens in Brazil’s Belem to renew global focus on climate action ​As talks intensify, Bangladesh reiterated that the credibility of the global climate process now depends on whether historically responsible nations step up with real commitments and adequate finance under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

Farmers in the northern district of Naogaon are struggling with fresh uncertainty as unseasonal rain, triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, has damaged prepared seedbeds for early winter vegetables and partially ripe Aman paddy. Potato fields, in particular, have been affected, causing concern among growers hoping to recover losses from last year. Agriculture officials said stagnant water in the fields has raised fears of widespread damage to newly planted potato seeds, transplanted Aman paddy and early winter vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, chili, eggplant and radish. Many plants, they said, are lying flattened in waterlogged fields across several upazilas. Read more: Polyshade tomato farming reviving Narail’s rural economy According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Aman has been cultivated on 193,000 hectares this year, while early winter vegetables cover 1,845 hectares. Potato cultivation is targeted on 21,000 hectares. A field visit revealed that farmlands prepared for potato cultivation or recently sown are submerged, forcing farmers to focus on draining the water to save their crops. Farmers also fear delays in planting on fallow lands that remain waterlogged and excess moisture has already caused root rot in some vegetables. Zainal, a farmer from Kalikapur Dangapara in Atrai upazila, expressed his worries, saying, “Last year I suffered a big loss from potato farming; hence I planted early this year in hopes of a better price. But now rainwater has submerged the field and I fear the seeds may not sprout properly. I don’t know what to do.” Sharing a similar experience, Ashraf Hossain from Varsho village in Manda upazila said, “Early potato farming is always risky, but I wanted to try since others were doing it. I planted on one bigha of land, but the sudden rain has filled the field with water.” Read more: Hidden hands in the fields: Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north Ratan Mollah of Barshail in Sadar upazila said, “I just finished planting potato seeds when the rain began. It’s still drizzling, and the soil remains soaked. Potato seeds rot easily if they stay wet. I’m worried most of my field will be damaged.” Meanwhile, Susheel Mistri of Hapania reported that his Aman paddy, which was ripening, had been flattened by rain and gusty winds. Vegetable grower Indri Mia from Kirtipur said, “The rain over the past few days has caused rot at the base of my cauliflower and other vegetable plants.” Downplaying the extent of the damage, DAE Deputy Director Homayra Mondal said, “Although it rained, it wasn’t a heavy downpour. Potato planting has just started and the newly planted seeds may face minor setbacks, but fields planted eight to ten days ago will likely remain safe. The rainfall is even beneficial for Aman. If the water drains quickly, there won’t be any major problem.” Read more: Rain pushes green chilli price to Tk 300 per kg, almost all vegetable prices upward As farmers race against time to salvage their crops, the unseasonal rainfall has once again highlighted the vulnerability of early winter cultivation to unpredictable weather.

October 2025 emerged as the deadliest month for dengue fever in Bangladesh this year, claiming 80 lives and recording the highest number of cases, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The DGHS data shows that the country logged 2,250 dengue cases in October alone , the highest monthly total of the year, reflecting a worrying surge of the mosquito-borne disease that has become a recurring public health threat. The health authorities logged 76 Dengue deaths in September, 41 in July and 39 in August. The death toll reached 278 in 10 months till October. No death from dengue reported for second consecutive day Meanwhile, 506 new dengue cases were reported in 24 hours on Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases to 69,862 this year. DGHS Director General Prof Dr Md. Abu Jafor said the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate is lower. He came up with this information at a press briefing held on October 9. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. Dengue: Two more die; 762 hospitalised Of the total fatalities this year, 134 were reported under Dhaka South City Corporation, 41 under Dhaka North City Corporation, 40 in Barishal division, 25 in Chattogram division, 12 in Mymensingh division, eight in Khulna, three in Dhaka division (outside city corporation areas), and one in Sylhet division. Over the first ten months of 2025, Barishal City Corporation recorded the highest 17,224 dengue cases, followed by Dhaka division (outside city areas) with 11,548, Chattogram division 10,092, Dhaka South City Corporation 10,192, Dhaka North City Corporation 9,112, Khulna 3,543, Mymensingh 2,203, Rajshahi 4,298, Rangpur 794, and Sylhet 239. Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has turned into an endemic disease in Bangladesh in recent years. Health experts attribute this growing menace to the impacts of climate change, which have made the country’s environment increasingly favourable for the breeding and survival of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Read more: How to Protect Babies and Children from Dengue Fever Erratic rainfall, prolonged monsoon seasons, waterlogging, and rising temperatures have expanded mosquito habitats, leading to more frequent and intense outbreaks. Experts also warn that traditional control measures such as fogging and larvicide use may no longer be sufficient as mosquito behaviour and breeding patterns are evolving. They stress the need for rigorous scientific research to understand how climate change is influencing the life cycle and reproductive behaviour of Aedes mosquitoes. This, they say, is essential to develop effective strategies for prevention and containment, especially as dengue continues to strain public health resources each year. Bangladesh saw its worst dengue outbreak in 2023, when the disease claimed over 1,700 lives — the highest toll since record-keeping began. Public health authorities fear the disease could become a year-round threat if urgent, coordinated action is not taken. Read more: Best Foods to Increase Platelets in Dengue Fever

The western district of Chuadanga has been reeling from the escalating impacts of climate change, with farmers suffering losses worth ‘hundreds of crores of taka’ over the past five years. Prolonged droughts, devastating storms and extreme cold spells have battered agriculture, livestock and fisheries, leaving thousands of families struggling to survive. “Extreme heat is not just a seasonal inconvenience. Its impact is far reaching. As we see in Bangladesh that the rising temperature is affecting our health and productivity, and the country’s prosperity,” said Jean Pesme, The World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. Between April and June each year, temperatures now frequently soar between 36°C and 40°C, scorching farmlands and reducing yields. Winters, on the other hand, have become unusually harsh, with temperatures plunging to record lows, compounding the stress on crops and livestock. Worsening Climate Disasters Chuadanga’s agricultural sector has been particularly hard-hit by repeated bouts of drought, storms and irregular rainfall. Major crops such as Boro paddy, wheat, maize, winter vegetables, tobacco, onions, bananas, papaya, betel leaves and fruit orchards have suffered extensive damage, with many farmers unable to recover before the next calamity strikes. Disaster Preparedness: Govt to construct 90 three-storey cyclone shelters  in 12 districts Field surveys conducted by non-governmental organisations, including Wave Foundation and Riso, indicate that the scale of devastation may be far greater than official figures suggest. Their studies estimate that climate change is causing annual agricultural losses amounting to between Tk 200 crore and Tk 300 crore in the district. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has reported significant losses over the last five years, with 2022 emerging as the most catastrophic year.

Germany has made its highest-ever contribution to tackling climate change and supporting vulnerable countries like Bangladesh, according to the latest figures reported to the European Commission for 2024. Germany’s total contributions last year reached EUR 11.8 billion (USD 13.86 billion), marking a new record in financing global climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Of the total amount, EUR 6.1 billion came directly from the federal budget, with nearly EUR 1.5 billion allocated for conserving natural ecosystems such as forests, peatlands, and oceans. Alongside renewable energy and other climate technologies, these conservation efforts form a vital part of global climate action. For the first time, Germany also mobilised more than EUR 1 billion in private sector funding for climate investment, a milestone in broadening financial participation in environmental initiatives. Bangladesh, identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, has already begun benefiting from this support and remains eligible for further assistance in the future. Germany’s Minister for the Environment and Climate Action Carsten Schneider reaffirmed his country’s commitment to international cooperation. More words than action, Salehuddin slams weak global support for climate funds “Germany maintains its spirit of solidarity and stands by its commitments to international cooperation. That is an essential basis for successful negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém,” Schneider said. “Climate action can only succeed if countries can be trusted to keep their promises. We are seeing encouraging figures in the mobilisation of private investment. Electricity from wind and solar power is becoming cheaper and therefore needs less support from the public purse. This means that in future we can direct more of our limited public funds towards climate change adaptation. We will be discussing that issue in Belém as well,” he added.

The 'Mother Ilish Conservation Campaign 2025' began across the country on October 4th and will run for 22 days until October 25th. During this period, the harvesting, transport, storage, buying, selling, and exchange of Ilish (Hilsa fish) are completely banned. The Bangladesh Coast Guard has made extensive preparations to protect the mother Ilish. Under the ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ initiative, Bangladesh Navy ships are conducting the 'Mother Ilish Conservation Campaign 2025' in the sea, coastal areas, and internal rivers of the country. They are already patrolling vast seas, coastal regions, and rivers from end to end. Beyond just patrolling, they are raising awareness among fishers through public announcements (mike-ing) and leaflet distribution to protect the mother Ilish. The Problem of Poaching and Unmet Goals Although Bangladeshi fishers adhere to the fishing ban to boost production by anchoring their boats at the ghats (docks), Indian fishers freely fish in the Bay of Bengal. While Bangladesh observes the ban, neighboring India’s territorial waters see unrestricted fishing during that time. Furthermore, Indian fishers often enter Bangladeshi waters and take away Ilish and all other types of fish. Consequently, the government’s ban aimed at increasing marine fish reproduction is not working and is failing to yield the desired results, a loss that is being complained about by the coastal fishers. The Debt Trap (Dadon) Tightens its Grip Coastal fishers are already trapped in the chains of poverty, which forces them to turn to Mahajons (money lenders/wholesalers). Though their profession starts with an advance known as Dadon (loan), the fishers get caught in a vicious cycle. Until the debt is fully repaid, they must supply the Ilish they catch, often risking their lives, to that specific Mahajon at a low price. While this changes the fortune of the wholesaler or Mahajon, the fisher's life remains stuck in the complex web of Dadon. This Dadon system, which harks back to the advance payment scheme British East India Company once used to trap indigo farmers, is now perpetuated by the fish wholesalers and Mahajons. Millions of people on the coast are involved in fishing, and most are caught in this Dadon maze. This system benefits the wholesalers, giving them an opportunity to form new Ilish syndicates. On the other hand, it has brought extreme despair to the fishers. The lives of those who supply the silver Ilish become colorless due to the Dadon trap.

Bangladesh continued to log one of the world’s worst case fatality rates during dengue outbreaks, apparently almost throughout the last two decades, underscoring the strain put on the country’s already fragile healthcare system and the people, particularly the poor. The case fatality rate represents the percentage of people dying out of the total infected population. Often called the CFR, the rate stood at 0.4 per cent until September 13, with 147 deaths recorded against the total dengue cases of 37,206. The current CFR is one of the highest in the world. Bangladesh has constantly produced very high CFR, which even exceeded 2 per cent in 2003 and was above 1.5 per cent in 2000, 2001, and 2010. Over the last five years, the rate remained about 0.5 per cent. In 2023, Bangladesh experienced its worst dengue outbreak, resulting in 1,705 deaths from the mosquito-borne viral disease. It was the highest number of deaths in the world that year. The CFR reached 0.5 per cent, also the highest in the world. “High death rate implies a high number of critical cases,” said epidemiologist Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, an adviser to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR). Dengue claims 5 more lives in 24 hours, 622 hospitalised While the changing climate is increasing the virulence of the dengue virus and facilitating its vector’s population growth, it is also ensuring a relentless supply of vulnerable people, evicted from their homes by natural disasters, who mostly constitute critical cases. Bulu’s Nightmare and Others After spending Tk 14,000 for the treatment during the 24 bedridden days of his sickness from dengue fever, the only choice Muhammad Bulu had to deal with his many debtors was to sell his three-wheeler van, the source of his income. Bulu represents hundreds of thousands of people displaced frequently by natural disasters before they end up in slums of cities and towns, in search of a place to live and a livelihood. Bulu had come to the Begunbari slum in Tejgaon one and a half decades ago after river erosion took away most of his ancestral land.  Spending in a stupor after being struck by the fever, Bulu had realized he had no place in the city to seek treatment or care. With a high fever, he headed back to his village home in Lalmonirhat, where his wife and parents live. “The fear of catching the disease again haunts me everywhere,” said Bulu, constantly waving his hand to scare away groups of mosquitoes teasing him from all around at a tea stall near Begun Bari in the afternoon of September 11. Dengue claims 1 more life; 665 hospitalised in 24hrs “I am already broke. Getting the disease again would be like getting a death sentence,” he said, resting a vacant look onto a nearby waste pile, littered with things perfectly positioned to hold freshwater during rains, a prerequisite for Aedes mosquito population expansion. Bulu is in his 30s. Historically, most dengue cases concerned people in the age group of 18-30. Children and elderly people also get frequently infected and are considered highly vulnerable. “More children from villages are now getting infected with the disease,” said Mohammed Hanif, a pediatrician based in Dhaka. The spread of dengue among children in rural areas indicates that the disease is getting out of hand, he said. Obese children and elderly people with comorbidities are most exposed to dengue fatality, he explained. Children accounted for nearly 7,500 of the total 37,200 cases reported so far this year. They also accounted for 24 of the total 147 deaths this year. Public health under strain Epidemiologist Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, who is also an adviser to the IEDCR, explained that the high case fatality rate underscored late hospitalisation of dengue patients, mainly due to the unavailability of primary healthcare services in most of Bangladesh. “Poor people can’t afford timely dengue diagnosis. They come for the treatment only when their condition is bad,” said Mushtuq. Primary healthcare is almost non-existent across rural Bangladesh.  Someone suffering from dengue fever must travel to the upazila level to get tested for dengue, mostly in private clinics, often involving an inconvenient journey. Dengue outbreak worsens: 5 dead, 636 hospitalised in 24 hours But patients often do not get the desired treatment at upazilas either, mostly depending on private medical facilities for dengue diagnosis. District government hospitals tend to refer serious dengue cases to Dhaka to reduce strain on their limited resources.  Many dengue deaths occur while patients are on the way to Dhaka. Mushtuq emphasized the need to decentralize the health service to reduce the number of critical cases and deaths. Experts have long called for an early dengue warning system. Sending mobile laboratories to poor communities could also be a way of fighting the disease by its early detection. “Public healthcare service needs expansion,” said Mushtuq. AM Zakir Hussain, a former director of the IEDCR, explained factors increasing the vulnerability of the poor to Aedes mosquitoes, the vector of the disease.   “People living in high-rise buildings are well outside mosquitoes' reach, for they cannot fly very high,” he said. A study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies on the 2019 dengue outbreak reported higher dengue infections among people who could not afford mosquito nets or mosquito repellents.  Dengue outbreak worsens: 5 dead, 636 hospitalised in 24 hours The study also found that dengue cases were higher where wastes were dumped. Millions live in sprawling Dhaka city slums, mostly sitting on the city’s waste dumps. The Economic Burden A 2021 BIDS study revealed that the average economic cost of treating a dengue patient was Tk 33,817 during Bangladesh’s worst outbreak of the disease in 2019. In public hospitals, the cost was around Tk 22,000. The cost of the treatment was Tk 47,230 in private hospitals. Another independent study revealed that the average income of a fourth of the studied dengue patients, treated at public hospitals in 2019, was Tk 10,000 per month.  A 2023 study estimated that the annual economic cost of dengue disease in India in 2016 was about US$ 5.71 billion. The Climate Connection The year of the worst dengue outbreak, 2023, witnessed an unprecedented shift in rainfall with a substantial wet spell beginning in the last month of the winter season—February.  Provided with an abundant supply of fresh water, just ahead of the temperature rising in pre-monsoon months, Aedes mosquitoes had a great opportunity to boom its population, epidemiologists said.   A World Bank report published in October 2021 said that Bangladesh marked a seasonal shift over the past 44 years following a 0.5°C temperature increase. The dengue season stretched because of the change, the report said. "The number of cases of dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes, recorded annually has doubled every decade since 1990, and one of the potential factors that contributed to this increase is climate change," read a line of the WB report. The report revealed that dengue cases increase in the range of 25°C to 35°C, with a peak at 32°C. The capacity of mosquitoes to transmit dengue fever has increased by up to 9.5 per cent globally, compared with 1950, the report said. Bangladesh’s first report of a dengue outbreak dates back to 1964. There were only sporadic outbreaks of the disease until the 1990s. “There is a marked shift in rainfall pattern and this will continue in the years ahead,” said AKM Saiful Islam, a lead author on the IPCC's sixth assessment report. “We need to invest more in research to study the changing climate and develop our capacity to predict its potential consequences, such as a surge in dengue cases,” he said.  

Bangladesh has unveiled a new phase of its national climate finance strategy to tackle the devastating consequences of climate change that already cost the country nearly $1 billion annually. The initiative titled Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) Phase II was launched at the Finance Division in Dhaka on Tuesday, said a press release. The global warming reached a record 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels in 2024, intensifying climate threats for Bangladesh, one of the world’s most vulnerable nations despite contributing less than 0.56 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it said. Tropical cyclones alone wipe out 0.7 percent of GDP each year, while agricultural output in the country’s southern belt is projected to shrink by 18 percent by 2040. According to the World Bank, climate-induced migration could displace 13.3 million Bangladeshis by 2050. To bridge a financing gap estimated at $12.5 billion annually, or 3 percent of GDP, the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with UNDP and supported by Agence  Française de Développement (AFD), launched IBFCR Phase II. Finance Division Secretary Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder attended the inaugural session as chief guest, while the event was chaired by Additional Secretary, Finance Division Bilquis Jahan Rimi. Climate experts push for increased wetlands finance before COP30 UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller and AFD Deputy Country Director Cecilia Cortese joined as special guests. The welcome address was delivered by Joint Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam, followed by a vote of thanks from Joint Secretary Md. Muhammad Abul Kasem. Khairuzzaman Mozumder said, “Although Bangladesh contributes very little to global emissions, we remain one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, bearing the consequences of actions by others. We are fully committed to adopting adaptation programs and mitigation measures and I believe the second phase of the IBFCR program will take us another step forward in building resilience for our people and economy.” He also mentioned that, “The Climate Change Action Plan, which we formulated and revised last year, serves as a roadmap for guiding our efforts and ensuring effective resource mobilization.” Bilquis Jahan Rimi said, “Effective implementation requires a strong coordination mechanism that brings together key ministries and stakeholders. By enhancing cooperation and institutionalizing capacity, we can ensure that climate priorities are fully integrated into our public financial management system.” Environment adviser emphasizes valuing food producers, culinary heritage Stefan Liller in his speech said, “IBFCR-II is about bringing climate priorities into the heart of Public Finance, so that every taka spent delivers real results for people. Climate change is already shaping lives and livelihoods in Bangladesh”. Cecilia Cortese said, “IBFCR -II is a technical support program, fully complementary to a €300 million policy-based loan program dedicated to supporting the Government in implementing its climate strategies and plans.” During the technical session, UNDP Program Specialist Dr. Maliha Muzammil presented the roadmap for IBFCR Phase II. The session featured expert discussants including PKSF Deputy Managing Director Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed and CPD Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun.  A panel discussion on “Climate-Informed Public Finance Management in Bangladesh” was moderated by Additional Secretary Dr. Ziaul Abedin of the Finance Division. Panelists included A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division; Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; UNDP Country Economic Adviser Owais Parray; Additional Secretary Md. Hasanul Matin of the Finance Division; and Musrat Meh Jabin, Chief (Additional Secretary) at the Ministry of Planning. IBFCR Phase-II will build on the lessons of the first phase by updating the Climate Fiscal Framework, strengthening climate finance tracking, and formulating a National Climate Finance Strategy. The program will also promote the use of tools such as the Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) and Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) to ensure financing reaches frontline communities. Officials said the initiative will enhance transparency, accountability, and coordination across ministries while aligning Bangladesh’s budgetary system with the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals, and the country’s own National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

A new study has found that 55 of the heat waves recorded over the past 25 years would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change, highlighting the role of major fossil fuel and cement producers in driving extreme heat events. Published Wednesday in the journal Nature, the study examined 213 heat waves worldwide from 2000 to 2023 using data from the EM-DAT International Disaster Database. It found that planet-warming emissions from 180 major companies — including publicly traded and state-owned oil, gas, and cement producers — significantly contributed to all the heat waves analyzed. Collectively, these producers are responsible for 57% of carbon dioxide emissions since 1850. “Just a small number of actors are responsible for a large fraction of all emissions,” said Sonia Seneviratne, a climate professor at ETH Zurich and a study contributor. Some heat waves, including Europe’s deadly 2022 events, resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, underscoring their severe consequences. The study used climate attribution methods to link emissions from fossil fuel producers to extreme heat events, an approach that could influence ongoing lawsuits against polluters. Experts say the findings highlight not only the sources of climate-driven disasters but also the importance of accountability for future losses. “As we deal with the impacts, assessing responsibility is crucial,” said Justin Mankin, a Dartmouth climate scientist. “It raises important questions about who should bear the costs of these damages.”  

Climate change is making groceries more expensive across the globe, as extreme weather events-droughts, floods, and heat waves-disrupt agricultural production and inflate food prices, according to a new study. Researchers from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the European Central Bank linked recent price surges to extreme weather driven by climate change. Their study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Letters, analyzed 16 major weather events worldwide between 2022 and 2024. “Unprecedented conditions are set to become increasingly common across the world,” the authors warned, adding that agricultural and economic systems are struggling to adapt. The UK-based nonprofit Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) estimated that climate change added £361 (about $484) to British food bills over 2022 and 2023. Drug-resistant typhoid poses global health threat In the US, vegetable prices soared over 80% in 2022 after California faced its driest three-year period on record and Arizona suffered water cuts from the drought-stricken Colorado River. Meanwhile, Hurricane Ian further disrupted supplies in Florida. In Asia, a heat wave pushed Chinese vegetable prices up by over 40% between June and September, while South Korean napa cabbage prices rose nearly 70%, impacting kimchi production. Australia saw lettuce prices jump more than 300% following devastating floods in early 2022, with iceberg lettuce reaching A$12 per head-prompting fast-food giant KFC to replace lettuce with cabbage. Although some price hikes may be temporary, experts warn that crops like coffee and cattle-which require specific growing conditions, could face prolonged inflation. The authors stress that reducing emissions and boosting climate adaptation measures are essential to manage future food price risks. Source: NDTV