Youths need to see impact from a global perspective
Weather in Bangladesh is turning more unpredictable due to increase in global temperature, climate and water resources expert Prof Ainun Nishat said yesterday.
Data suggests a sudden flood that occurred in Rajshahi in mid-October this year was unprecedented, he said at a discussion at BRAC Centre Inn.
Also, water levels of some rivers in Jamalpur, Sherpur and Lalmonirhat reached a record high this year, he said.
“Will this happen next year or the year after? I don’t know,” he added.
Around the same time this year, Jashore region experienced rainfall well below the average amount. As a result, farmers there faced shortage of water, he further said.
BRAC’s Climate Change Programme (CCP) organised the discussion as part of its “Youth Convention on Climate Change”.
Prof Ainun Nishat stressed that youths can play an important role in developing public opinion over climate change adaptation and mitigation in the country.
Youths have to be prepared with updated and correct information to this end, he said.
Prof Ainun Nishat said presence of seasons like spring and late autumn can hardly be felt in the country in recent times.
Efforts on climate change related adaptation and mitigation have to be made in a way so that the country’s nature, environment and culture remain protected, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association.
“At every stage of [climate change] adaptation and mitigation, we have to hear voices of those for whom these efforts are being made,” she said.
SM Munjurul Hannan Khan, additional secretary to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry, said the countrymen, especially youths, need to understand the impact of climate change from a global perspective.
Developed countries are responsible for global temperature rise and Bangladesh is its victim, he said.
BRAC CCP Director Liakath Ali praised youths’ participation in the convention and said they should include hard-to-reach groups like women and children when advocating climate change issues.
At the convention, youths from different public and private universities -- divided into five groups -- made as many presentations on topics related to climate change adversities in Bangladesh.
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