World’s future at stake
Speakers tell seminar on climate change
The future of the world will worsen if the international community fails to address challenges related to climate change amid the Russia-Ukraine war and the aftermath of the pandemic, said climate expert Dr Saleemul Huq yesterday.
"Climate change is a global problem that has started to hit us all. However, we are not ready [to address it] yet," he said.
He was speaking at a seminar on climate diplomacy, organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium, ahead of COP-27 in Egypt in November.
Acknowledging that the death toll has already crossed 100 in Florida's hurricane, coupled with the damage caused by the heatwave in Europe, Prof Saleem said climate change is causing losses of billions of dollars every day.
He said Bangladesh has much to offer to the world as it has been tackling climate change for a long time. It already has all the plans, policies and many adaptation technologies in place and is very active in global climate negotiations.
Bangladesh has much to offer to the world as it has been tackling climate change for a long time. It already has all the plans, policies and many adaptation technologies in place and is very active in global climate negotiations."
Bangladesh needs to continue the momentum. Bangladeshi diplomats, wherever they are posted, need to talk to their counterparts, tell the stories of Bangladesh's successes and ask the counterparts how they can help others, said Prof Saleem.
"Bangladesh can become a knowledge broker. This will, however, require for the country to invest in capacity building of its people and officials, especially on adaptation," he added.
State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said even a degree Celsius of increase in the temperature can cause rice production to decline up to 9 percent and displace at least 40 million people on the Southern coast.
"Besides, the variability of rainfall, the highest level of drought and floods are affecting the lives and livelihood of the country's people. Despite devastative consequences, Bangladesh, with its limited resources, is trying to develop flood protection embankments, housing for the poor and various adaptation technologies," said Shamsul.
"Climate change has now become a security issue and global leaders must support the vulnerable countries with funds and technology," he added.
International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) Deputy Director Prof Mizan R Khan said as the industrialised countries responsible for climate change are not compensating for the loss and damage, the poor are getting poorer and climate justice remains a far cry.
The developed countries promised to jointly mobilise $100 billion a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries. However, the target is largely unmet. Overseas development assistance is being repackaged in the name of climate financing, he said.
Prof Mizan also said climate-related displacement must get a prominent place in global negotiations.
"There are two solutions to climate-induced displacement -- developing climate migrant-friendly townships and skill development of the affected families for their relocation in developed countries," he said.
BIISS Chairman Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, acting Director General Col MA Saadi, Senior Research Fellow Dr Sufia Khanom, UNDP Programme Specialist Arif M Faisal and Department of Environment Director Mirza Shawkat Ali, among others, spoke at the event moderated by former foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury.