MUNICH: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a call to world leaders “will” to cop with the climate change impacts.
We have enormous amount of science, technology, innovation and finance to address climate change. Now we only need ‘will’ of rich nations,” she was addressing a panel discussion titled ‘Climate Change as a security threat’ on Saturday (Feb 16).
In her speech, PM Hasina said climate change posed a real threat to human being with the continuous rise of global temperature. The temperature led to increase frequency of cyclones, tidal surges and monsoon flooding that challenged livelihood of the people in Bangladesh.
She said despite very little contribution of Bangladesh to global warming, Bay of Bengal is increasingly getting acidic and one third of its population is at risk displacement with increasing sea level.
Reiterating her pledge at UN General Assembly in 2012 to pursue a low-carbon development pathway, the premier said none should have any doubt about climate change impacts. If anyone had, they can visit Bangladesh to see the situation.
In spite of limitation, she said, Bangladesh has allocated USD 385 million to the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) for adaptation and mitigation.
Flooding erodes river banks during every monsoon and numerous families across the country become homeless and helpless, she added.
“Climate change is taking toll through emergence of new problems. Diseases like malaria, which we have successfully eradicated earlier, come back. Besides, breeding of our national fish- Hilsha is facing challenge due to the unabated rise of the temperature”.
Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Kenya Monica Juma, Foreign Minister of Norway Ine Eriksen Soreide, US Senator Sheldon, Whitehouse and Co-Executive Director of Greenpeace International Bunny McDiarmid were present as panel discussants at the penal discussion with Director of Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Hans Joachim in the chair.
BDST: 1914 HRS, FEB 17, 2019
RS/SMS
