PM’s leadership in global fight against climate change laudable
The PM's proposals at a virtual UN roundtable on climate action on the sidelines of this year's UN Genral Assembly on Thursday has shown the leadership role Bangladesh can play in the world's fight against the impacts of climate change. This is especially appropriate as Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. It is also a country that has provided crucial models of disaster management for other countries to follow and is the current chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum. PM Sheikh Hasina has highlighted five precise recommendations that aim to combat the adverse effects of this very real threat the world is facing.
She called for leaders to encourage stronger international collaboration, limiting global temperature increase up to 1.5 degrees Celsius and implementing all Paris provisions. She also reiterated the need for funds promised by countries to be made available to vulnerable countries, the need for polluting countries to contribute to mitigation measures and emphasised the fact that rehabilitating climate refugees is a global responsibility.
We laud our prime minister for her decisive, firm message to the international community reminding world leaders that they must all work together to face the challenges posed by climate change. Bangladesh is already facing the consequences in the form of increased flooding caused by rains and river erosion that have left thousands of people homeless and destitute. Similar fates are shared by other vulnerable countries which include both developing and developed nations. At this time, every country has a role to play and this includes Bangladesh. While we should be supported by the international community in our fight against climate change impacts, we too have a responsibility to do our bit. Bangladesh must lead by example, by preserving its forests especially the Sundarbans which provides protection against cyclones and floods and switching to renewable energy sources like many other countries have done. We hope that our government will therefore take such decisive steps while providing leadership to the world in this looming environmental challenge that threatens the very existence of humankind.
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