Combating climate change impacts

THE European Union (EU) parliamentary delegation's commitment that the EU will be on Bangladesh's side in spite of the outcome of the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen is a hope giving one. Especially, we are reassured at the concern and empathy it expressed for us in the event of any catastrophe befalling the country, for example, in the form of triggering an exodus of climate refugees.

As a frontline state in the fight for survival against the impact of global warming, Bangladesh is direly in need of international support. Though it bears little responsibility for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions that caused the global warming, it, like many other least developed and poverty-stricken countries, having to pay the price. The developed countries, in the different forums on global warming, have often expressed their deep concern about the issue, but have so far done little in terms of fund contribution to fight the calamity.

So, Bangladesh has genuine reasons to be worried. In view of the glaringly evident differences of opinion among the different groups of nations, doubts are already being raised about the result of the next crucial round of UN climate talks at Copenhagen that should come up with a protocol to replace the existing Kyoto Protocol (to expire in 2012) to prevent drastic climate changes. Anyway, it is hoped that the 170 countries, who are parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to represent at the Copenhagen climate talks, would bridge their differences, if only for the sake of creating a united global front to avert the danger that climate changes pose.

In the circumstances, it is therefore expected that the EU would play its due role and take a united stand at the next climate talks in Copenhagen about which it has already given some assurances. To be fair, the very advanced nations, who are still dithering over the issue, need to see reason and accept their responsibility in the matter and take a consensual approach in quest of a well-agreed climate change convention at the upcoming talks. What is more, they need also to make a firm commitment there to allocate adequate funds in order to help out the most vulnerable nations in their struggle to save themselves as well as the world at large from an impending cataclysm.

The uncertainties notwithstanding, the visiting EU parliamentary delegation's encouraging words have come as a breath of fresh air into the atmospherics prelude to Copenhagen. It is hoped that the EU's commitment has set the scene for more to come from the developed world.