Climate change
One doesn�t need
to be an expert to tell how air pollution from burning of fossil fuel used in automobiles and factory furnaces and kilns is causing huge health risks
As climate change is a global reality, its adverse impact is being felt throughout the world, including Bangladesh. Rise in global warming, ozone layer depletion, greenhouse effect, emission of excessive carbon, depletion of forests and rise in sea levels are the ominous signs of climate change and they can play havoc with the world. An agency report carried in this newspaper on Monday called for an integrated approach to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. It is worrying to note that the countrys traditional six seasons are disappearing gradually due to climate change. The summer and rainy seasons have become prolonged.
Bangladesh is one of most vulnerable countries in the world regarding the adverse impact of climate change. Being a lower riparian country, Bangladesh is also vulnerable to sea level rise. Intrusion of saline water is an additional hazard that looms large. Efforts should be made to cut down on carbon gas emission and strict punitive measures should be taken against factory owners who dump their toxic wastes into open air or water bodies. Similarly, deforestation should be discouraged, which is the largest cause of floods along with rise in atmospheric temperature, and more finances should be reserved for plantation and forestry.
The common people should develop and inculcate a sense of civic responsibility among themselves where simple every day habits such as switching off electric appliances when they are not in use, staying watchful of water and gas pipe leakages in streets and homes, regular checkups and maintenance of their automobiles not just for personal safety but also to minimise the emission of pollutants in the air, can help to a great deal.
Climate literacy needs to be the new buzz-phrase. Unfortunately there is no push to include climate literacy in the ramshackle national curriculum, and children remain as ignorant of climate change and its effects on their country as their parents were years ago. Temperatures have risen, and rainfall has become more erratic in frequency, location and fluctuations in levels of precipitation. Combating the ill effects of climate change calls for serious efforts and commitment to put in every effort to mitigate the deleterious effects of climate change where humanly possible. And what certainly is humanly possible is engaging officials well-versed in the field to the job of managing the environment.
