Citing a study, they said, "Out of the 19 districts of the coastal zones of Bangladesh, 16 districts will experience the impact".

They were speaking at a seminar titled "Climate change: Our preparation" organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at the National Press Club in the city to mark the World Environment Day.

Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said it is true that the developed countries are emitting greenhouse gas but India and China are also ignoring the climate change issue.

"We have made the environment a 'commodity' and are doing 'carbon trade'", he said, adding, if the entire world is united about the crisis, it would be possible to save the world.

Presenting a data that per capita emission of greenhouse gas of USA is 20.4 ton while the emission of Bangladesh is only 0.5 ton; Prof M Firoz Ahmed of Buet, also vice president of Bapa, regretted that the country is facing the consequences for which it is not responsible.

He said according to new guidelines it is mandatory for any country wishing to launch any project in Bangladesh to ensure that the project would not have bad impact on environment, adding, "This is high time that we thought of climate change seriously".

Malik Fida A Khan, department head, database and IT, CGIS in his speech said, if the sea level continues to rise, three percent of the coastal area by 2030, 32 percent by 2050 and 88 percent by 2100 will be inundated.

"The change in salinity level, inundation depth, tidal dynamics and fresh water flow would change the present dynamic balance between these factors, which might affect not only the productivity of the mangrove ecosystem but the entire biodiversity of the Sundarbans", he voiced concern.

Mazharul Islam, senior programme officer, Nagorik Odhikar, proposed that Bangladesh should create climate forest and use renewable energy to fight climate change.

Nasimul Haque, information and communication specialist, climate change cell, Environment Department said, Bangladesh is committed to working on the issue and the government is trying to prioritise the adaptation policy.

Aminur Rasul, president, Coast Trust, and Dr MA Matin, general secretary, Bapa also spoke on the occasion.