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.