Planet in peril, must act now

As the planet is getting warmer every day, leading to natural catastrophes across the world, speakers urged world leaders to pay attention to nature and act immediately to keep the global temperature within the limit to save the earth.

They made the remarks at an international seminar, titled "Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development", organised by Awami League's forest and environment affairs sub-committee at Dhaka University's Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building yesterday.

Speaking as chief guest, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, also general secretary of AL, said a political blame game is at play regarding the issue of the environment, but hardly any thought is spared about the planet that is getting destroyed.

Raising the question of where the country's people will live if Bangladesh goes underwater, he said Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are projected to submerge because of climate change if global players do not act immediately.

"To be specific, we are failing to save our planet. Nature is speaking, but are we really listening?" he questioned.

Referring to a report by an international TV channel, he said the channel recently broadcasted the grim scenario of coastal areas, the issues of salinity, sea-level rise, and damage to people's livelihood.

"Would we be able to survive such a situation? As per Economic Intelligence Report, Dhaka ranks seventh in the list of most unliveable cities out of 172 countries," he added.

Quader also mentioned that before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assumed office, the forest coverage in the country was 11 percent, which now stands at 22 percent.

Drawing examples from the recent incidents of wildfire and drought, he said those who are causing global warming are also bearing the brunt of that.

"Europe is struggling with wildfire sweeping through the continent. The rivers have dried up, causing the death of hundreds of thousands of fish," he added.

Quader urged the developed countries to fulfil their promise and step up to stop global warming.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin said Bangladesh has set an example in resilience against climate change.

"Bangladesh has finalised NDC [Nationally Determined Commitment], National Adaptation Plan and adopted Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan to fight climate change. Around Tk 3,362 crore has been spent through Climate Change Trust for adaptation and mitigation," he added.

The seminar was chaired by Khandokar Bojlul Haque, chairman of the forest and environment sub-committee, while Shahriar Alam, state minister for foreign affairs, and Delwar Hossen, member secretary of the sub-committee, also spoke.