Bangladesh is the most vulnerable country to the adverse impact of climate change, as the temperature is set to increase by 4-6 degree Celsius within next 50 years globally, said speakers.
The country will become one of the worst-affected South Asian countries due to global warming and increase of green house gas (GHG) in atmosphere, says an IPCC report.
The Switzerland based organization, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) launched the report “IPCC’s AR 5: How Bangladesh Translates Climate Change and Its Vulnerabilities” at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla in the city on Thursday.
Speaking at the launching ceremony as the chief guest, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, MP, said the government is creating awareness about adverse impact of climate change in the country.
“Climate change is a burning issue for survival of all of us, our existence and future as well…right at this moment this (climate change) is costing a huge amount of money and it is taking away almost one percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he said.
The minister said, “I must narrate the background why it is happening, what are the consequences of climate change…not only Bangladesh is the lone victim of it rather the entire world is suffering from the menace of the climate change.”
There has been tremendous change in the world in terms of population growth as the world population has increased alarmingly during the last couple of decades, he said and attributed the change in population growth to the negative impact of climate change.
The climate change has a bearing on development issues in the country, he said and called upon the international community to supplement Bangladesh government efforts in tackling the climate change juggernaut.
Chaired by Professor Dr Shamsul Alam, member (GED), Planning Commission, the programme was also addressed, among others, by secretary of disaster management and relief ministry Dr Mesbah ul Alam and secretary of environment and forest ministry M Shafiqur Rahman Patwari as special guests.
Country Engagement Leader of Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Dr SM Munjurul Hannan Khan delivered the welcome addressed, while joint secretary of environment and forest ministry Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury gave vote of thanks. Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Director CDKN Asia gave introduction of the report.
Coordinating Lead Author of IPCC ARS Dr John Church presented the keynote and said due to rise of sea level, coastal systems and lo-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse impacts such as submerge, coastal flooding and coastal erosion.
“Rising sea level, extreme heat, and more intense cyclones threatening food production, livelihoods and infrastructure..the warming climate will also slow the country’s growth and poverty alleviation initiatives,” he said.
