Environment
Environment Minister calls for unified action to safeguard Ganges River dolphin
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury underscored the pressing need for coordinated endeavors to save the Ganges River Dolphin within the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river basin from extinction.
Acknowledging the global importance of the Ganges River Dolphin, the minister urged collective action and increased collaboration among all stakeholders to tackle the diverse challenges confronting the species.
He made these remarks during the inaugural session of the First International Conference on Management and Conservation of the Ganges River Dolphin, held at Hotel Intercontinental, Dhaka.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Saber Hossain emphasized that the dolphin serves as a vital indicator of river health, stressing that understanding the dolphin population's status reflects the overall ecological well-being of the river.
He warned that the inability of dolphins to thrive in river waters signals a perilous state of water pollution, endangering the river ecosystem and aquatic life.
Minister Saber highlighted the importance of fostering collaborative partnerships, facilitating interdisciplinary exchanges, and leveraging collective expertise to ensure the sustained survival of the Ganges River Dolphin.
He emphasized the significance of robust knowledge dissemination, innovative policy dialogues, and community engagement initiatives to drive conservation efforts and promote sustainable management practices within the GBM river basin.
Chaired by Chief Conservator of Forest Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, the session was addressed, among others, by Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, World Bank Acting Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Syud Amer Ahmed, BWDB Director General Muhammad Amirul Haq Bhuiya and BIWTA Chief Engineer (Dredging) Rokibul Islam Talukder.
Divisional Forest Officer of Chittagong North Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Ramesh Kumar Yadav of Koshi Tappa Wildlife Reserve of Nepal and Lead Environment Specialist and Regional Standards Coordinator at the World Bank Josefo Tuyor made separate power-point presentations on the Ganges dolphins.
The conference brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government agencies, the World Bank, international organizations, academia, NGOs, community leaders, and species experts.
Participants engaged in insightful discussions, knowledge sharing sessions, and policy dialogues aimed at formulating effective strategies for the preservation of this iconic species.
Bangladesh needs $ 534 bln to tackle climate change by 2050: Environment Minister
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Tuesday said Bangladesh needs $ 534 billion dollar to tackle climate change by 2050 and international financial support is essential for implementation of climate plans.
Minister Saber said this while delivering speech at the National Adaptation Plan Expo 2024, focusing on the advancement of Bangladesh's National Climate Plans.
The session, held in Dhaka, marked a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's commitment to addressing climate change and enhancing its resilience.
He said that Bangladesh is committed to working collaboratively with international partners to build climate resilience.
The minister reaffirmed the government's dedication to advancing climate adaptation efforts and ensuring a sustainable future for all citizens.
He emphasised the importance of proactive measures, collaborative efforts, and innovative solutions in adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.
During his address, the minister highlighted Bangladesh's significant progress in developing and implementing national climate plans, showcasing the country's leadership in climate adaptation on a global scale.
Chaired by the ministry’s sectary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Malik Fida A Khan, Executive Director, CEGIS; A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary, ERD, and Chair, International Climate Finance Cell; Kenel DELUSCA, ITAP Member, Green Climate Fund and Dr. M. Asaduzaman, a Climate Specialist, spoke as panelist on challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned in NAP formulation and implementation in Bangladesh.
Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, Deputy Secretary, MoEFCC and Mirza Shawkat Ali, Director, Climate Change & International Convention, DoE Presented Bangladesh's National Adaptation Plan 2023- 2050.
Amid heat wave, Dhaka's air quality is still "unhealthy"
Dhaka has ranked 8th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 127 at 9:10 am this morning (April 23, 2024).
Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy’ today, according to the air quality index.
India’s Delhi, Qatar's Doha and Thailand’s Chiang Mai occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 226, 168 and 167 respectively.
Dhaka’s air quality again ‘unhealthy’ this morning
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’; between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’; between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’; between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy'; while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Chuadanga logs season’s highest temperature for 4th consecutive day
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Bangladesh pledges to create a resilient world for all: Saber
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury said Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, pledges to be partner in creating a resilient world for all, including the youth and child to be born tomorrow.
“At the global level, she (PM) has been a powerful and respected voice for the most climate vulnerable countries and has been resolutely advocating for enhanced adaptation funding which is yet to be delivered as per repeated pledges, critical importance of keeping temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, establishment of the Loss and Damage fund, transfer of technology and needs based means of implementation,” he said.
Saber was delivering speech in the session ii : High Level Transformational Dialogue – A transformed NAP for the Future in NAP EXPO 2024 hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with the theme Driving Transformational Adaptation Through National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) on Monday in Dhaka BICC.
The remarkable progress has been achieved despite the manifold impacts of climate change on Bangladesh and her people – ever increasing number of displaced climate refugees, intensity and frequency of natural hazards, flooding, food security, salinity intrusion, droughts, rising sea levels to the south and increased glacial melt in the Hindu Kush Himalayas to the north, water stress, biodiversity loss, said the minister
Despite the enormity of challenges, Bangladesh under the wise and inspiring leadership of Hon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sees itself not just as a victim of climate change, which it most certainly is, but also as a leader and champion when it comes to solutions and innovations, he added.
Environment Minister said In the current financial year, Bangladesh has allocated almost USD 3.5 billion via 25 line ministries to respond to the impacts of climate change and a National Adaptation Plan between now and 2050 involving an investment of USD 230 billion has been formulated and incorporation of health interventions given its growing nexus with climate change is a work in progress. The comprehensive plan encompasses 113 interventions across 8 thematic sectors under 11 vulnerable areas. The Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF), a first of its kind in the world was set up from the country’s own resources in 2009.
Saber said the Parliament of Bangladesh was the first legislature to adopt a motion on Planetary Emergency, “We have mainstreamed green and climate resilient development in our central planning process, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan which envisages an aspirational pathway from vulnerability to resilience to prosperity is being implemented . Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP), a global first that brings together all the development partners, private sector, NGO’s and all stakeholders, including youth and women under one platform to deliver on effective climate action and significantly scaled up funding of Bangladesh led initiatives.”
He said the global community has not delivered on the 100-billion-dollar pledge and neither has adaptation funding been appropriately balanced nor allocated. An agreed definition of climate finance must also be a definitive outcome of COP29 which will have a focus on finance including the New Collective Quantified Goals considering the increasing needs of climate vulnerable countries, small island developing states and of course the LDCs.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ROBERT E.A. BORJE, Secretary Vice-Chairperson and Executive, Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Director, Office of the President of the Philippines CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION also spoke in the session.
Climate change creates a ‘cocktail’ of serious health hazards for 70pc of the world’s workers: ILO report
A “staggering” number of workers, amounting to more than 70 per cent of the global workforce, are likely to be exposed to climate-change-related health hazards, and existing occupational safety and health (OSH) protections are struggling to keep up with the resulting risks, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The report, Ensuring Safety and Health at work in a changing climate, says that climate change is already having a serious impact on the safety and health of workers in all regions of the world.
The ILO estimates that more than 2.4 billion workers (out of a global workforce of 3.4 billion) are likely to be exposed to excessive heat at some point during their work, according to the most recent figures available (2020).
When calculated as a share of the global workforce, the proportion has increased from 65.5 per cent to 70.9 per cent since 2000.
Hospitalisation with heat-related illness on the rise in Meherpur
In addition, the report estimates that 18,970 lives and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years are lost annually due to the 22.87 million occupational injuries, which are attributable to excessive heat.
This is not to mention the 26.2 million people worldwide living with chronic kidney disease linked to workplace heat stress (2020 figures).
However, the impact of climate change on workers goes well beyond exposure to excessive heat, the report says, creating a “cocktail of hazards”, which result in a range of dangerous health conditions.
The report notes that numerous health conditions in workers have been linked to climate change, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney disfunction and mental health conditions.
The impact includes:
- 1.6 billion workers exposed to UV radiation, with more than 18,960 work-related deaths annually from nonmelanoma skin cancer.
- 1.6 billion likely to be exposed to workplace air pollution, resulting in up to 860,000 work-related deaths among outdoor workers annually.
- Over 870 million workers in agriculture, likely to be exposed to pesticides, with more than 300,000 deaths attributed to pesticide poisoning annually.
- 15,000 work-related deaths every year due to exposure to parasitic and vector-borne diseases.
NAP Expo aims to share success of adaptation strategies with the world: Saber
“It’s clear that climate change is already creating significant additional health hazards for workers,” said Manal Azzi, OSH Team Lead at the ILO.
“It is essential that we heed these warnings. Occupational safety and health considerations must become part of our climate change responses – both policies and actions. Working in safe and healthy environments is recognized as one of the ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work. We must deliver on that commitment in relation to climate change, just as in every other aspect of work.”
The report also explores current country responses, including revising or creating new legislation, regulations and guidance, and improving climate mitigation strategies – such as energy efficiency measures – in working environments.
Hospitalisation with heat-related illness on the rise in Meherpur
Meherpur district has been reeling under a severe heat wave for the past one week with temperature fluctuating between 42 to 43 degrees Celsius.
Normal life is being disrupted due to severe heat wave as there is not much difference in day and night temperature.
The number of patients with various diseases including stomach ache, cold, fever, cough, diarrhea, pneumonia, dehydration, shortness of breath, heat stroke is increasing in the hospitals of the district due to extreme heat, causing bed crisis.
Dhaka’s air quality again ‘unhealthy’ this morning
During a visit to Meherpur General Hospital, Gangni and Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complexes on Sunday, it was found that patients were receiving treatment lying on the floor for lack of beds.
Dr Sajjad, resident medical officer (RMO) of Meherpur General Hospital, said 1,313 patients were admitted to the hospital in the last one week.
Of these, 223 were diarrhoea patients and 210 were discharged after improvement. Besides, 450 women received treatment at the Department of Medicine and Gynecology and 240 children were admitted to pediatric department of the hospital during the period, he said.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Gangni Upazila Health Complex Dr Abdullah Maruf said 352 patients were admitted to the health complex in a week.
Of them, 112 were children, 146 women and 94 men.
The number of elderly patients and children was high, he added.
Ahsan Habib, a doctor working in the emergency department of Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complex, said 80 patients were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex in the last one week. Most of them were children and elderly patients.
Chuadanga logs season’s highest temperature for 4th consecutive day
Jaminur Rahman, in-charge of the Chuadanga Meteorological Office, said, “a severe heat wave has been sweeping Chuadanga for the last few days. Now it has turned into a very intense heat wave. The highest temperature of this season was recorded at 42.4 degrees Celsius in the district. There is no chance of rain in the region now.”
The authorities concerned of the hospitals across the country have been instructed to be prepared to deal with adverse conditions amid a severe heat wave, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen on Sunday.
“Due to the severe heat wave, the hospital authorities have been asked not to admit patients under cold cases (those who are not emergency to provide medical treatment) and keep the hospital prepared,” he said while talking to reporters after talking with the directors and civil surgeons of the hospitals across the country.
Dhaka’s air quality again ‘unhealthy’ this morning
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked fifth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 130 at 9am this morning (April 22, 2024).
Today’s air was classified as 'unhealthy', according to the air quality index though the last day’s air was moderate.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Read: Dhaka’s air quality ‘moderate’ this morning
Nepal’s Kathmandu, China’s Beijing and Thailand’s Chiang Mai occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 181, 163 and 162, respectively.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Read: Dhaka's air unhealthy for sensitive groups this morning
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Read more: Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning
NAP Expo aims to share success of adaptation strategies with the world: Saber
The UN Climate Adaptation Conference National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2024 is going to be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) from April 22 to 25.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference on Monday morning, while Simon Steele, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will be present on the occasion.
Working for punishment of killers of Cox’s bazar forest official: Saber Hossain
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury revealed the information at a press conference at BICC on Sunday (April 21) on the occasion of NAP Expo 2024.
Chowdhury said 383 representatives from 104 countries have registered with UNFCCC to participate in NAP Expo 2024.
Besides, 550 people, including representatives of various ministries, departments and organisations of the country, climate experts, representatives of NGOs and volunteers will participate in the adaptation meet, he added.
Bangabandhu envisioned environment-friendly development of Bangladesh: Saber Hossain
"By participating in this conference, everyone will be able to mutually benefit from various issues related to the adaptation activities of different countries to deal with the impact of climate change," said the minister.
Saber Chowdhury said the NAP Expo is an international forum where various countries, organisations and other relevant stakeholders interact and exchange experiences in the formulation and implementation of NAP.
The expo will also arrange training sessions to identify gaps and needs related to the process of NAP formulation and implementation in developing countries, he said, adding that Bangladesh would host various sessions at the expo.
There will be a total of 23 stalls in this conference where adaptation activities of different countries will be displayed, he mentioned.
No infrastructure can be constructed in forests: Saber Hossain
Also, he said, at 34 sessions over four days, experts will discuss transformational adaptation, financial mechanism, adaptation activity monitoring and evaluation tools and gender responsive adaptation.
He said 13 stalls allocated for Bangladesh will showcase climate adaptation issues.
“We can also gain experience from the orientation activities displayed at foreign stalls. Various ministries and local and foreign organizations will participate in this expo to demonstrate the climate adaptation of the country,” he added.
Among others, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed were also present.
Dhaka’s air quality ‘moderate’ this morning
Dhaka, Apr 21 (UNB)-Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 16th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 96 at 9am this morning (April 21, 2024).
Today’s air was classified as 'moderate', usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, according to the air quality.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Mild quake jolts Ctg, no damages reported
China’s Beijing, India’s Delhi and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 167, 165 and 162, respectively.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Dhaka records its season’s highest temp at 40.4°C, Jashore hits countrywide highest
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Youth groups demand end to funding for fossil fuels
Young people have demanded public investment banks and private sector organisations to redirect the investments made in fossil fuel and in harmful agribusiness towards more sustainable projects, renewable energy, and agroecology.
They made the demand from a rally in front of the National Press Club. The protest ended with a call for climate justice.
ActionAid, a leading NGO organised the gathering.
Young people those who participated in the Global Climate Strike stated that the fossil financers from the Global North are the primary cause of the manmade climate crisis, neocolonial exploitation, wars, and human rights violations.
With the capitalistic mindset of making profit, the historically largest emitters of greenhouse gases are responsible for the climate destruction that is particularly and disproportionately harming youth, farmers, women, and marginalised communities in the Global South.
These practices are also increasing the ecological debt of the Global North, that they owe to the most affected communities of climate crisis.
Thousands of young people from Activista Bangladesh Platform of ActionAid Bangladesh and more than 20 youth organizations attended the Global Climate Strike this time.
In the gathering, young activists along with people from all walks of life demanded climate justice through slogans, placards, figures, songs, plays and posters demanding ‘FixTheFinance’, ‘End Fossil Finance Now’; ‘Invest in Renewables’; ‘Stop Financing Harmful Agribusiness’; ‘Climate Justice Now’; ‘Invest in Agroecology’ and many more.
Young activist Fahida Sultana said, “Today, we are fighting to bring an end to fossil finance and focus more on renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. We are being hurt by the profit-hungry mentality of the wealthy. Our future cannot be sacrificed for profit for greedy corporations.”
Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Lead-Young People, ActionAid Bangladesh remarked, “In solidarity with the young people, we raise our voices in a resounding call to dismantle fossil finance and prioritize sustainable investments in renewable energy and agroecology”.
Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh expressed, “In the wave of global youth-led climate actions, ActionAid Bangladesh supports young climate activists and their platforms across the country to act and demand climate justice”.
She said Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, therefore we echo the demand of young people to put an end to fossil fuels and finance green transitions.
Furthermore, she urged for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine.
“We stand in firm solidarity with the innocent children and women who are being slaughtered by occupational force”, she said.
We believe that the choices we made now will shape the world for generations to come in the realm of achieving justice.”
Young people also urged for immediate #ceasefire in Palestine and stop the inhumane war that is going on right now.
They expressed their deep empathy and sorrow for all the civilian especially small children and infant who lost their precious lives.