Environmental Problems : Shared Approach To Give Better Result
Environment vis-à-vis climate change has become a global issue. Environmental problems — much of it human-induced — are challenging the quality of life people enjoy in modern advanced societies. The nature of environmental problems varies a great deal at different levels — some are local, some national or regional, some global like greenhouse effect and climate change. Thus the problems should be addressed at appropriate level and often at multiple levels.
Some problems are caused by human indifference and industrial activities. These include water, air and noise pollution due to unwarranted disposal of toxic solid and liquid waste in the open, deforestation, filling of water body, etc. Such problems call for public awareness and government action at the national level.
Another type of environmental problems, for instance, are overexploitation of common rivers and forests, shared coastlines etc. These can be better addressed by the countries concerned at a bi-lateral level. For example, Indian plan to harness and divert river water can have catastrophic effects on the ecosystem and environment of entire lower riparian region that is Bangladesh.
Soil erosion, bio-degradation, aridity and lowering of ground water level are problems faced by many regions. Countries concerned can from a forum to share their experiences and knowledge in fighting common regional problems.
Fourth typse of problem pervades across national boundaries and call for multilateral and global approach. For example, toxic and radioactive industrial waste disposal in oceans, ozone layer degradation by carbon emission, among others, fall in this category. British scientists are trying to lay the ground for a global consensus to find strategies to avoid disastrous consequences of global warming.
Environmental problems, however, should be viewed as common problem of the mankind and efforts that are endorsed and shared globally are more likely to produce best of results. Sharing firsthand knowledge and best practices will help the global community to overcome environmental problems better.
Md Atikur Rahman
Head of PRD
BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT)
Dhaka
[email protected]
