ADAPTATION: Bangladesh
At only several meters above sea level, many farmers in the low-lying country of Bangladesh find their agricultural terrains submerged during monsoon floods for up to 6 months of the year. This is worsened by sea level rise from the south, which is inundating vulnerable, densely populated coastal areas.
In response, farmers have teamed up with local NGOs to revive an old agricultural technique called ‘baira’ – floating gardens – which are large natural rafts constructed using a highly invasive water weed in Bangladesh: water hyacinth.
Layers of water hyacinth and bamboo rods are compiled together to create an organic, floating pad upon which crops can then be grown. These natural floating gardens have inspired other buoyant innovations, such as floating schools, libraries, hospitals and playgrounds. In this first episode of ADAPTATION, we travel to Bangladesh to document these adaptive efforts, showcasing floating farms, floating schools, and examining the future of high-tech floating infrastructure.
Synopsis: The “new normal” of global climate change is, generally, a harrowing reality to contemplate. Scientist and filmmaker Alizé Carrère helps us see, however, that it does not need to be a reality devoid of hope. In Bangladesh — the most densely populated country in the world and one that will bear a disproportionate share of the impact of global climate change — Carrère shows us the kind of resilience, flexibility and innovation that will be requisite for the survival of our species.
Short Film - Festival Screenings & Awards
Telluride Mountainfilm Festival, 2017 (Premiere, WINNER – NORMAN VAUGHAN INDOMITABLE SPIRIT AWARD)
New York Wild Film Festival 2018 (WINNER – Best Short Film)
Sustainability Shorts Film Festival 2018 (WINNER - Best Documentary Short, Best Director)
DC Environmental Film Festival 2018
EarthX Film Festival 2018
New Zealand Mountain Film Festival 2018
RVA Environmental Film Festival 2018
Aspen Mountainfilm Festival, 2017
Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival 2017
Kendal Mountain Festival 2017
Bilbao Mendi Film Festival 2017
Photo Credits: Andy Maser & Justin DeShields
Telluride Mountainfilm Education Packet - ADAPTATION: Bangladesh
“Ask students what they already know about climate change and how it is affecting the world. Either hold as a group discussion, complete KWL chart (what you know, what you want to know, what you have learned) as a class, or pair students off into pairs to discuss what they know about climate change. If you choose to pair off students, give each student 30 seconds to talk uninterrupted about what they know regarding climate change. When the timer goes off the student who listened to the first student has to summarize what the first student said. Repeat with the other partner… ”
Capturing this story was made possible thanks to the generous support from the following organizations:
National Geographic (grant)
Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies (research & policy institute)
Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha (Bangladesh-based NGO)