The present age is the age of industrialization and urbanization. The present world system is called Global Village. In the blink of an eye in this world system, the events that happen in one corner of the world come to our attention. All this has become possible due to people’s advanced thinking and economic activities. As a result of this, on the one hand we are enjoying advanced modern city life, on the other hand, the lives and surroundings of different parts of the world are being damaged. Global climate variability is a prime example of global warming.
Recent flash floods in the United Arab Emirates, wildfires in California in March last year, heavy rains in Africa and Europe, warming in Asia and frequent cyclones, tides, storms and floods in different parts of the world are all real effects of global warming or climate change. The temperature of our country last month, especially the temperature of Dhaka city, has shown us how severe the effects of global warming can be.
Natural disasters happen in two ways. 1. slow down For example, desertification, drought, flood etc. and 2. sudden For example, Cyclone, Kalvaishakhi etc. According to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)-Z survey, the sea level has risen by 10 cm in the last century. Environmental scientists have said that if this trend of sea level rise continues, by the year 2050, the coastal islands of various countries including Bangladesh will disappear into the sea. Environmental scientists also think that if the sea level rises up to one meter, 15% of Bangladesh’s land will sink into the sea and three million people will be displaced.
Global warming is increasing due to various reasons, among them greenhouse effect, melting of large glaciers of Antarctic continent and melting of Himalayan ice etc. are the main ones. Bangladesh has been hit by 13 major cyclones in the last 15 years. The horrors of Sidor, Ampan, Aila, Yas, Mokha and Remal on May 26 are easily imagined. Had it not been for the Sundarbans, a natural shield or dam in the southern part of the country, our losses would have increased hundreds of times in every cyclone. As always, the severe damage to the biodiversity of the Sundarbans due to Remal’s impact is easily visualized by the sight of 26 floating frozen deer carcasses. According to reports published by some national newspapers on May 28, 2024, the number of affected people in the coastal 19 districts of the country is about 3.73 million, and the houses of about 1.5 million people have been completely or partially damaged. Damage to livestock, crops, fish and dams is not easily recoverable. The international organization Save the Children says that 2.7 million children have been displaced by the conflict.
Since 1972, every year ‘June 5’ has been observed as the World Environment Day with the aim of creating public awareness about the prevention of environmental pollution and the preservation of life and environment. This year the main theme of the World Environment Day is ‘Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience’ and our country’s theme is ‘Karab Bhoomi Restoration, Rukhob Marumayat, Achiva Na Moder Drought Resilience’ and the theme of the campaign is #generationrestoration. This theme is applicable in the present world and domestic reality. Because in various parts of the world including Bangladesh, agricultural land and forest land are decreasing due to various reasons, desertification and drought are increasing.
Along with theoretical and practical knowledge, we need to find modern and practical solutions to deal with diverse and devastating natural disasters. We need to take a three-dimensional approach in addition to loss and damage calculations to deal with climate change impacts. For example: To explain the importance and risks of the issue at the international level as well as to continue discussions and negotiations to provide the necessary funds for compensation; Multifaceted initiatives at the national level such as new research, development of spatial solution strategies, creation of necessary infrastructure; Awareness at individual level, playing responsible role and taking personal initiative etc.
Finally, I would like to say that global warming and the disaster caused by it is a global issue, so whatever initiative is taken to prevent it, it is necessary to take it globally. However, Bangladesh has been quite successful in protecting the environment and dealing with disasters. We have to give importance to the issue of environmental protection and dealing with the negative effects of climate. In order to deal with this global problem, it is necessary to find immediate solutions to local problems by taking into account the global experience. Above all, developed, developing and underdeveloped countries and nations must work together to create a better pattern and save the world from the negative effects of global warming.
