Call for adaptation measures to offset global climate change |
Climate experts and environmentalists yesterday called for synchronisation of political efforts at local and international levels and adaptation measures to offset the impacts of global climate change.
The climate change is now a global phenomenon and it would affect the developing countries like Bangladesh badly, although the developed countries create this problem, they said at a lecture session on 'Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh'.
Bangladesh have to come up with solutions of her own, as the developed nations find out solution for them only, the experts said.
Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) organised the lecture, first of a series, to mark its 20th founding anniversary. FEJB Chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury presided.
Dr. Saleemul Huq, chairman of Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), emphasised on long-term strategy to cope with the adverse effects of climate change, particularly sea level rise.
He said that the green house effect is causing the global warming that leads to rise of the sea level, threatening to submerge vast coastal areas throughout the world.
ANH Akhtar Hussain, chief engineer, Bangladesh Water Development Board, said the country has weather forecasting system not the climate forecasting system.
He called for installing climate forecasting system for effective disaster management and policy planning.
Dr. A Atiq Rahman, executive director of BCAS, warned that 20 to 25 million people of Bangladesh will become victims of climate change if adaptation measures are not taken immediately.
He said that although the developed countries are responsible for this hazard, they are avoiding their responsibilities.
Deputy secretary of Ministry of Environment and Forest Dr. Mahfuzul Haque also spoke.