Political leaders, academicians and environmentalists at a seminar yesterday said there is no alternative to political unity in order to protect the country from the adverse impacts of climate change.

All, irrespective of political leanings and ideologies, should come forward to press the demand for compensation for the ravages of climate change, they said.

South Asia Watch (SAW), an international organisation for human rights, organised the seminar on 'Climate change and human rights: The global context' at the Jatiya Press Club in the city, with Shahid Uddin Ahmed, former vice chancellor of Dhaka University, in the chair.

Speaking as the chief guest, ASM Firoz, whip of parliament, called on all, irrespective of political viewpoints, to come onto a single platform to fight the climate change.

BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman said climate change poses threat to our survival, as the southern part of the country will go under water within next 50 years due to climate change.

Prof Mizanur Rahman said fund collection is not the main problem. Rather, proper utilisation of the funds has to be ensured.

Awami League lawmaker Shubid Ali Bhuiyan, SAW Secretary General Shahidul Islam Talukder and Chairman of SAW, Europe chapter, Rezaul Hossain Tapan also spoke.