could be submerged (Figure 3) if sea levels rise by
three feet in the decades to come (Mydans 2009).
Figure 3. Flood Predictions Vietnam.
Source: Boateng 2009The impacts on neighboring countries like India
and Bangladesh are equally grim. Bangladesh is con-
sidered by many to be the “ground zero” of climate
change with 80% of its 160 million plus inhabitants
living at sea level (Banerjee 2010). In preparation for
the likely mass migration of millions of Bangladeshis
to higher ground, India is building a 2500-mile long
wall along its border with its water threatened neigh-
bor (Banerjee 2010). The wall and threatening policies
designed to contain the population will surely bring
cross-border tensions to the boiling point as nearly
one-fifth of Bangladesh is threatened by rising sea lev-
els.
SEE INSET