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Project Introduction The forces of globalization have produced rapid social change, often marked by more inter- and intra-regional disparity, environmental and ecological crisis, social disintegration, violence and conflict. In other words, for many poor countries the forces of globalization have produced enormous social suffering. Other local factors, such as, population increase, further aggravate the magnitude of social suffering. In the case of Bangladesh, the problems of landlessness, impoverishment and consequent rural out-migration are compounded by environmental hazards as well as environmental degradation caused by economic and other development activities. Natural hazard induced population displacement is endemic in Bangladesh. One specific and central impact of globalization is the massive turn to a wage-labour economy; the commodification of labour is an extension and rigidification of commodity production. This proposal outlines a study of the interrelationships between environmental crisis and social change (sustainable livelihood, food security, population displacement, conflicts and social change), within a broader context of globalization. The study will (1) expand the theoretical discussion on the relationship between globalization, environmental change, resource use, social suffering and human security; (2) analyse public policy on investments, (3) investigate the role environmental change play in social conflicts and resultant social suffering; (4) assess the role of population movement as a factor of environmental degradation; and; (5) critically assess the gender dimension of social change resulting from the interacting forces of globalization and environmental change. Time frame The research project will be spread over a period of three years starting on January 1, 1998 and completed by December 31, 2000.

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