Tobacco farming in Bangladesh has significant and far-reaching environmental impacts, affecting the land, water, and air. While the country has implemented tobacco control measures, the lack of monitoring and enforcement has resulted in environmental degradation and public health concerns. This study aims to document the environmental impact of tobacco farming in Bangladesh, adopting a qualitative approach to collect and analyze data. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a structured questionnaire survey to gather data, assessing the impact of tobacco farming on the environment, socioeconomic conditions, and human health using a five-point impact assessment scale. Results illustrated that tobacco cultivation contributes to the ecosystem and natural resource degradation, leading to a loss of habitat diversity and domestic animal death. Soil erosion, water pollution, and air pollution from excessive plowing and pesticide usage have also been observed, causing skin diseases and other health issues. Despite some economic benefits, social conditions have worsened due to drug addiction and conflicts among tobacco workers. The study will help policymakers and environmentalists by highlighting the need to take action in reducing the environmental and social impacts of tobacco farming in Bangladesh. It also informs the public about the potential tobacco production and consumption risks. This study provides important insights into the adverse effects of tobacco farming in Bangladesh and emphasizes the importance of implementing appropriate measures to reduce environmental and public health impacts.
Climate change and rapid urbanization are dramatically altering coastal ecosystems worldwide, with significant implications for land surface temperatures (LST) and carbon stock concentration (CSC). This study investigates the impacts of day and night time LST dynamics on CSC in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, from 1996 to 2021, with future projections to 2041. Using Landsat and MODIS imagery, we found that mean daytime LST increased by 3.57 °C over the 25-year period, while nighttime LST showed a slight decrease of 0.05 °C. Concurrently, areas with no carbon storage increased by 355.78%, while high and very high CSC zones declined by 14.15% and 47.78%, respectively. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model estimated a 28.64 km2 reduction in high CSC areas from 1996 to 2021. Statistical analysis revealed strong negative correlations between LST and vegetation indices (R2 = -0.795 to -0.842, p 32 °C, while areas with LST <24 °C may decrease to 1.68%. These observations underscore the pressing necessity for sustainable strategies in urban planning and conservation in swiftly evolving coastal areas, especially considering the challenges posed by climate change and population growth.