Geography And habitat Effects (Effect of scale/size)
Netherlands
As an economically and socially advanced nation, the Netherlands is a low-lying nation, with a sophisticated agricultural sector and high population density. Half of the country lies below 1 meter above sea level, with an eighth of the country lying below sea level. Without an extensive network of dams, dykes and dunes, the Netherlands would be especially prone to flooding. As a predicted outcome of Global Climate Change, sea level rise could impact the Netherlands drastically, leading to social and economic devastation.
The government of the Netherlands has recognized the threat of sea level rise and climate change. Current proposals in Dutch parliament call for upgrades in flood protection. If this proposal passes North Sea flood protection will be upgraded to 1-in-100,000 years status. Such a large commitment is part of the Netherlands’s “Living with Water/We are Here to Stay” campaign. This upgrade will be a costly and time-consuming project. It is estimated that this plan will cost 0.2% of the Netherlands yearly GDP to build and maintain.
Bangladesh
- 80% of bangladesh is less that 10m above sea level
- some areas of the country was underwater for over 2 months
- rocks, sand and mud from the himalays is washed into the river channel
- heavy monsoon rains between may and october caused river levels to rise
- As well as providing water for crops, when flooding occurs, as there is friction between the water and the surface of the lend, the water slows down and loses its energy. This loss of energy results in the deposition of rich fertile soil resulting in the providing important nutrients enabling people to grow crops
- This deposition of silt also creates land upon which people can live - for example the Ganges delta has been formed in this way as deposition has occurred where the river has entered the Bay of Bengal
As an economically and socially advanced nation, the Netherlands is a low-lying nation, with a sophisticated agricultural sector and high population density. Half of the country lies below 1 meter above sea level, with an eighth of the country lying below sea level. Without an extensive network of dams, dykes and dunes, the Netherlands would be especially prone to flooding. As a predicted outcome of Global Climate Change, sea level rise could impact the Netherlands drastically, leading to social and economic devastation.
The government of the Netherlands has recognized the threat of sea level rise and climate change. Current proposals in Dutch parliament call for upgrades in flood protection. If this proposal passes North Sea flood protection will be upgraded to 1-in-100,000 years status. Such a large commitment is part of the Netherlands’s “Living with Water/We are Here to Stay” campaign. This upgrade will be a costly and time-consuming project. It is estimated that this plan will cost 0.2% of the Netherlands yearly GDP to build and maintain.
Bangladesh
- 80% of bangladesh is less that 10m above sea level
- some areas of the country was underwater for over 2 months
- rocks, sand and mud from the himalays is washed into the river channel
- heavy monsoon rains between may and october caused river levels to rise
- As well as providing water for crops, when flooding occurs, as there is friction between the water and the surface of the lend, the water slows down and loses its energy. This loss of energy results in the deposition of rich fertile soil resulting in the providing important nutrients enabling people to grow crops
- This deposition of silt also creates land upon which people can live - for example the Ganges delta has been formed in this way as deposition has occurred where the river has entered the Bay of Bengal
How have those effects differed due to the different development levels of the countries? (LEDC VS MEDC)
Environment
A LEDC like Bangladesh tends to face a bigger environmental impact from the flooding due to country’s lack of finance to invest on flooding defenses. A LEDC would have poor housings which are unable to endure floodwaters. In addition, poor infrastructure such as roads, bridges and communications can easily be damaged and destroyed by flooding. The poorly constructed housing and infrastructures can be completely destroyed in flooding, this is one of the main reasons why the effects of flooding tends be more severe in a LEDC. Moreover, due to the lack of finance the country has, some areas were underwater for over two months, the country was unable to clear floodwater out of the environment quickly. Thus, water pollution can become worse as more waste enters the floodwater.
On the other hand, Netherlands as a MEDC consist of infrastructures and communication networks that are in good qualities, therefore, there is a lower risk for these to be destroyed by floodwater. Moreover, the country has implemented portable pumps as a flood-relief measure to get rid of the flood water more quickly. Although many homes were flooded, some roads become impassable, and flooding in green house caused the lost of of flowers, fruits and vegetations. However, as compared to to the environmental Bangladesh undergoes, the impacts on Netherlands are less severe.
Social/health
Socially speaking, the water supplies have contaminated by polluted wells and floating bodies and cattle for 1/4 million of people. However due to a low development level, the country fails to implement any efficient solution, lack of sanitation and clean water supplies can be provided, this has worsen the health problems that the country was already undergoing before the flood. As a result, a quarter of a million of people are affected by spread of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea which resulting in further loss of life. Furthermore, waste cannot be disposed due to flooding, the accumulation of wastes also threatens the health of the public. Statistics have shown that 23.5 million people were homeless, thousands of people were forced to live in crowded flood shelters which made the health problem worse.
On the other hand, for a MEDC like Netherlands, the country has more resources and is well-planned in a systematic way when the country encounters a flood. With well built infrastructures, the country can easily transport aid to affected areas, increasing survival through rescues and evacuation. For example, during the flooding in Netherlands in 1995, 250000 people are evacuated to prevent from being harmed by the flood. Next, the country also has good water and sewage systems, providing back up clean water supplies when when local water supplies has been contaminated. This means that the spread of diseases caused by contaminated water in LEDC will not be a issue in a MEDC.
Economic
Economic wise, A LEDC tends to have worse economy than a MEDC and poverty is usually a dominant issue of these countries. As Bangladesh have a relatively low GDP per capita and is in huge debt and money, the country could not afford to good quality materials for building infrastructures and housings, this is the reason why infrastructures and communication networks are so poorly built that it can be easily destroyed by the flood. Eventually, these destroyed housings, infrastructures and communication networks has to be rebuilt. Suffering in a bad economy, these again can only be built poorly with limited investments, which then would face destruction in the next flooding event. As this problem repeats in a vicious spiral, it would put a huge economic burden over the country. Moreover, statistics have shown that flooding has caused the production 20% down of export industries, as Bangladesh depends heavily on exports for money to tackle the issue of poverty, flooding has cut down the trading networks such as making shipping to be impossible through the main port of Chittagong, which has significantly affected Bangladesh’s economy. The government’s use of money on improving and supporting exports also led to reduction of money for food protection. Moreover, lack of fundings also made it problematic for training rescue teams.
On the other hand, Netherlands has a more developed economy as compared to Bangladesh. The government are able to put substantial investments in flood defense systems, such as channelization projects; building artificial levees and development of prediction and warning systems. Moreover, it also have the money to provide insurance for homes and possessions that are damaged by the flood. Even though the flood damage cost millions of pounds, but Netherlands are able to afford the price with its economy. In conclusion, Netherlands with a developed economy can invest considerable amount of money to reduce the damage the flooding might have bring about.
Political
Politically speaking, Bangladesh have develop a limited political co-operation with neighboring countries, making it hard to minimize flood risk by dealing the issues of the major rivers located in India and Nepal. The country depends on government aid and aid from other country, yet corruption within the government has drained away the money for many necessary flood defenses. The government also did not provide sufficient flood-relief measures, or implement any effective emergency procedures. The government relies too heavily on the aid from other countries and organizations. For example, the short-term flood-relief measures during the flood in 1998 mainly consists of U.K.’s donation, World Health Organization and international food donations. However, these temporary aids are only effective to certain extent.
On the other hand, Netherlands managed to avoid a full-scale disaster because the authorities were well prepared and have implemented effective emergency procedures such as evacuation. Moreover, the government has also stopped new housing to be built on the floodplains. The government has the finance to react faster to flood and be able to implement flood-relief measures independently with sufficient resources, and hence does not need to wait for international aids.
A LEDC like Bangladesh tends to face a bigger environmental impact from the flooding due to country’s lack of finance to invest on flooding defenses. A LEDC would have poor housings which are unable to endure floodwaters. In addition, poor infrastructure such as roads, bridges and communications can easily be damaged and destroyed by flooding. The poorly constructed housing and infrastructures can be completely destroyed in flooding, this is one of the main reasons why the effects of flooding tends be more severe in a LEDC. Moreover, due to the lack of finance the country has, some areas were underwater for over two months, the country was unable to clear floodwater out of the environment quickly. Thus, water pollution can become worse as more waste enters the floodwater.
On the other hand, Netherlands as a MEDC consist of infrastructures and communication networks that are in good qualities, therefore, there is a lower risk for these to be destroyed by floodwater. Moreover, the country has implemented portable pumps as a flood-relief measure to get rid of the flood water more quickly. Although many homes were flooded, some roads become impassable, and flooding in green house caused the lost of of flowers, fruits and vegetations. However, as compared to to the environmental Bangladesh undergoes, the impacts on Netherlands are less severe.
Social/health
Socially speaking, the water supplies have contaminated by polluted wells and floating bodies and cattle for 1/4 million of people. However due to a low development level, the country fails to implement any efficient solution, lack of sanitation and clean water supplies can be provided, this has worsen the health problems that the country was already undergoing before the flood. As a result, a quarter of a million of people are affected by spread of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea which resulting in further loss of life. Furthermore, waste cannot be disposed due to flooding, the accumulation of wastes also threatens the health of the public. Statistics have shown that 23.5 million people were homeless, thousands of people were forced to live in crowded flood shelters which made the health problem worse.
On the other hand, for a MEDC like Netherlands, the country has more resources and is well-planned in a systematic way when the country encounters a flood. With well built infrastructures, the country can easily transport aid to affected areas, increasing survival through rescues and evacuation. For example, during the flooding in Netherlands in 1995, 250000 people are evacuated to prevent from being harmed by the flood. Next, the country also has good water and sewage systems, providing back up clean water supplies when when local water supplies has been contaminated. This means that the spread of diseases caused by contaminated water in LEDC will not be a issue in a MEDC.
Economic
Economic wise, A LEDC tends to have worse economy than a MEDC and poverty is usually a dominant issue of these countries. As Bangladesh have a relatively low GDP per capita and is in huge debt and money, the country could not afford to good quality materials for building infrastructures and housings, this is the reason why infrastructures and communication networks are so poorly built that it can be easily destroyed by the flood. Eventually, these destroyed housings, infrastructures and communication networks has to be rebuilt. Suffering in a bad economy, these again can only be built poorly with limited investments, which then would face destruction in the next flooding event. As this problem repeats in a vicious spiral, it would put a huge economic burden over the country. Moreover, statistics have shown that flooding has caused the production 20% down of export industries, as Bangladesh depends heavily on exports for money to tackle the issue of poverty, flooding has cut down the trading networks such as making shipping to be impossible through the main port of Chittagong, which has significantly affected Bangladesh’s economy. The government’s use of money on improving and supporting exports also led to reduction of money for food protection. Moreover, lack of fundings also made it problematic for training rescue teams.
On the other hand, Netherlands has a more developed economy as compared to Bangladesh. The government are able to put substantial investments in flood defense systems, such as channelization projects; building artificial levees and development of prediction and warning systems. Moreover, it also have the money to provide insurance for homes and possessions that are damaged by the flood. Even though the flood damage cost millions of pounds, but Netherlands are able to afford the price with its economy. In conclusion, Netherlands with a developed economy can invest considerable amount of money to reduce the damage the flooding might have bring about.
Political
Politically speaking, Bangladesh have develop a limited political co-operation with neighboring countries, making it hard to minimize flood risk by dealing the issues of the major rivers located in India and Nepal. The country depends on government aid and aid from other country, yet corruption within the government has drained away the money for many necessary flood defenses. The government also did not provide sufficient flood-relief measures, or implement any effective emergency procedures. The government relies too heavily on the aid from other countries and organizations. For example, the short-term flood-relief measures during the flood in 1998 mainly consists of U.K.’s donation, World Health Organization and international food donations. However, these temporary aids are only effective to certain extent.
On the other hand, Netherlands managed to avoid a full-scale disaster because the authorities were well prepared and have implemented effective emergency procedures such as evacuation. Moreover, the government has also stopped new housing to be built on the floodplains. The government has the finance to react faster to flood and be able to implement flood-relief measures independently with sufficient resources, and hence does not need to wait for international aids.