Least Developed Countries

The Least Developed Countries, according to the United Nations, are the countries that have the lowest amount of socioeconomic development and the lowest human development index ratings in the world. As of 2014 there are 48 countries that are categorized as LDCs. The United Nations Committee on Development Policy and Analysis Division (UN-DESA) defines the Least Developed Countries as “low-income countries suffering from structural impediments to sustainable development” . To be categorized as a Least Developed Country a nation must meet three criteria: Gross National Income (GNI) per capita is greater than or equal to $1,242; Human Assets Index (HAI) is greater than or equal to 66; and Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI) is less than or equal

However, some formal studies have been conducted on the issue and my analysis will be based upon those. According to various studies on public perception about climate change Bangladesh has a consistently high percentage of public knowledge and concern about climate change . Most people surveyed in two separate studies held significant concerns about the impacts climate change currently has and will most likely have on human health and the environment. They believe that with or without international action to reduce greenhouse gases their country will continue to have the responsibility to act. Interestingly, a high level of public support exists in Bangladesh and other LDCs to “act in solidarity, aiding other countries that are not unlike themselves” . Given the suppression of journalistic freedom in the country this feeling of solidarity and collective action is an interesting one. A study on public awareness and attitudes on climate change in Bangladesh highlighted that “media is playing a significant role for creating awareness on climate change. People who have access to electronic and printed media are more likely to be aware compare to the people who do not have any kind of access to media ”. However, the same study noted, “people who are aware of the adverse impact of climate change are more likely to take personal initiatives and to support government initiatives, even if it required some personal sacrifices”. This means that individuals with formal educations, access to unrestricted and informed media, personal or family experiences with environment issues or some combination of the three are more likely to have concern for the environment and the impacts of climate change and will be more inclined to demand their government pursue environmentally minded action. However, regardless of if the