BSS-49 Tech-sharing a must to save earth: Dr Hasan

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BSS-49

HASAN-EARTH-CONFERENCE

Tech-sharing a must to save earth: Dr Hasan

DHAKA, Jan 27, 2020 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today
called upon the developed countries to share their advanced technologies with
other nations to ensure sustainable development of the planet and save it
from the drastic effects of climate change.

“The developed countries must share their advanced technologies with
others for the benefit of the mankind and the earth, the only life-boat in
the galaxy,” he told the closing ceremony of the “International Conference on
Earth and Environmental Sciences and Technology for Sustainable Development
(ICEEST) 2020” at a city hotel.

Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences of Dhaka University (DU)
organized the three-day international conference dedicated to “Mujib Year
2020-2021” marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The minister pointed out that Bangladesh is facing multi-dimensional
threats due to the adverse impact of climate change,

“Bangladesh is still one of the most vulnerable countries to climate
change as the country has become the innocent victim of global warming . . .
the developed countries should extend their cooperation by sharing modern
technologies,” he said.

Hasan, also the former environment minister, said the impact of climate
change is now visible in Bangladesh. “Though Bangladesh is not responsible
for climate change, the country has taken different initiatives to tackle it
and formed Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund,” he added.

Depicting Bangladesh’s present scenario caused by climate change, the
information minister said sea levels are rising and salinity is increasing in
coastal areas, while desertification has affected some areas of northern
Bangladesh.

He went on saying: “The ice of the Himalayas, the main source of water
in Bangladesh, is melting fast. As a result, Bangladesh is now facing a
multi-dimensional danger due to climate change.”

The minister simultaneously urged the global community to take united
initiatives to combat the devastating effects of climate change.

Hasan said many heads of government do not want to understand the
messages of climate change. “We should think deeply what would happen in near
future due to climate changes. We need this earth,” he added.

The minister said Bangladesh has done many things regarding the climate
change issue under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina.

“Our prime minister received the highest environmental accolade of the
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and ‘The Champions of the
Earth’ award in recognition of Bangladesh’s far-reaching initiatives in
addressing problems induced by climate change,” he said.

Member (Senior Secretary) General Economic Division, Ministry of
Planning, Professor Dr Shamsul Alam, Dr Peter Saimon and Secretary of Water
Resources Ministry Dr Kabir Bin Anowar, among others, addressed the closing
session as special guests with Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Dean Professor Dr Maksud Kamal in the chair.

Earlier, former chairman of DU Geology Department Dr Kazi Matin Ahmed,
Professor Dr Md Zillur Rahman of Department of Disaster Sciences and
Management, Professor and Chairperson Dr Towhida Rashid of Department of
Meteorology, Professor Dr Nurul Islam Nazem, Professor Dr Syed Humayun Akter
of Department of Geology and Professor Dr Kawser Alam of Department of
Oceanography presented their summaries and recommendations.

As many as 73 participants from 20 countries and 580 local researchers
discussed six major issues — blue economy, geo-resources, disaster
resilience, environmental effects on population dynamics, meteorology and
delta management.

BSS/Asg/PSB/SH/ 2345 hrs