On a quiet evening in Padmapukur, Shyamnagar, Satkhira, a coastal area in southern Bangladesh, Rahima Begum examines the ruins of what used to be her home. Cyclone Remal flooded the area and displaced her family for the third time in five years. Hundreds of kilometres away, in Rangpur, farmer Abdul Hannan worries about his harvest as an unseasonal drought dries up his paddy fields. Meanwhile, Dhaka’s slums swell with climate migrants like Anwar, who abandoned his eroded farmland in Bhola in search of work, only to face hazardous conditions in the capital.

These stories are not isolated; they are the lived reality of a nation dealing with the relentless impacts of climate change. In this context, how prepared is Bangladesh’s democracy to respond to the scale and urgency of this crisis?

Although it appears abstract, the connection between governance and the climate problem is quite apparent in Bangladesh. When a storm surge destroys a coastal house, they want not only assistance but also a voice regarding how they rebuild their future. Farmers in the northern region require policies that are responsive to their lived experiences, rather than merely subsidies, when they witness their crops erode as a result of extensive drought. Local governments that are overburdened already must find a way to pair emergency aid with solutions for the future when climate refugees swarm urban slums.

At the heart of these challenges lies a critical question: Is our governance system equipped to meet the scale and urgency of the climate crisis? Unfortunately, the answer is far from reassuring. Corruption, a lack of public accountability and centralisation have long plagued governance. The communities most impacted by climate change are still left out of the discussions that will decide their future, and decisions often prioritise immediate gains over long-term resilience.

Major climate adaptation initiatives, for instance, are subject to criticism for preferring the politically connected over those who are vulnerable. The construction of embankments where they are least needed left villages vulnerable to flooding. Transparency in governance processes is important for both efficiency and fairness. Poor governance leads to uneven effects of climate change, despite its non-discriminatory nature.

This is where democracy must rise to the occasion. True democracy is not just about holding elections; it is about ensuring that every citizen’s voice matters. To tackle the climate crisis, Bangladesh needs to adopt what could be called ‘climate democracy’— a model of governance that is participatory, inclusive and focused on long-term sustainability.

Decentralising decision-making is the first step. Local governments should have greater authority and resources to address climate issues since they are closer to the people and their realities. Giving local leaders more authority over adaptation project design and funding allocation allows for equitable and effective responses.

Second, public participation must move beyond tokenism. Communities on the frontlines of climate change, like fishermen, farmers, indigenous groups and urban migrants, should play the pivotal role in shaping policies. This is not just a matter of justice; it is about tapping into local knowledge and promoting trust between citizens and the state. Community-managed mangrove restoration initiatives in the Sundarbans demonstrate the potential of treating people as partners, not as passive recipients of aid.

Third, there must be no compromise on accountability and transparency. Whether from national budgets or foreign contributors, every dollar spent on climate action needs to be monitored. Managing the use of finances and making sure that corruption doesn't damage major initiatives are crucial responsibilities for the media and civil society.

Last but not least, our leaders must see climate action as essential to building an effective democracy rather than as a stand-alone issue. This involves dealing with the root causes of inequality, investing in healthcare and education, and developing economic opportunities beyond resource exploitation. A healthy democracy is one in which its people have the ability to adapt and thrive despite hardship.

From rebounding from deadly cyclones to becoming a global pioneer in adaptation strategies, Bangladesh has long been praised for its resilience. However, resilience has its limitations and cannot replace systemic change. The climate problem is testing our democracy and governance. It's time for us to take bold, inclusive action in response to the problem, rather than relying on short-term solutions.

The clock is ticking, and the stakes cannot be higher. At its best, democracy is about empowering people to shape their own lives. This notion may be our most powerful weapon in the battle against climate change.

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The writer is a Lecturer of Sociology at Gono University, Savar