Environment
UN chief calls for global action on extreme heat
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has released a "Call to Action" on extreme heat in response to the deadly impacts of rising temperatures all over the world.
The call to action outlines the global need to care for the vulnerable, protect workers, boost resilience using data and science, and limit global average temperature increase to 1.5 °C.
The climate crisis is driving temperatures up to unbearable levels all over the world, leading to heat-related deaths, heat-related illnesses, and putting strain on health systems all over the world. Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, and estimates show that approximately 489 000 heat-related deaths occurred each year between 2000 and 2019.
“Extreme heat is the most visible effect of climate change, everyone is affected,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization. “Those with existing health conditions will be made much worse with extreme heat and it impacts the health of everyone in sometimes surprising ways. Even mental health is affected by heat, making people confused, anxious or even violent.”
Acute and prolonged exposure to excess heat causes heat stress on the body and exacerbates underlying illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, asthma and kidney disease. It can increase the risk of accidents, adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, and heighten the transmission of some infectious diseases. In extreme heat conditions, untreated heat stress can lead to heat stroke, which can be a fatal medical emergency.
The good news is that heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. There are evidence-based actions and tools which save lives and significantly limit the health impacts of extreme heat. We can protect the most vulnerable through public awareness of how to keep cool, heat-ready social protection and health systems, scale up heat-health warning systems to alert authorities and the public, and foster nature-based solutions in cities to reduce excess urban heat.
According to estimates in a report produced by WHO, the global scale-up of heat health-warning systems for 57 countries alone has the potential to save almost 100 000 lives per year. The WHO co-sponsors the Global Heat Health Information Network bringing together UN agencies, governments, experts, and civil society partners to share knowledge and scale solutions for protecting communities from extreme heat worldwide.
Rain, thundershowers expected across Bangladesh, BMD says
Light to moderate rain and thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, are forecasted for many places across the Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions, according to BMD’s latest weather bulletin on Friday.
TSylhet division will also experience showers at a few locations, while Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Mymensingh divisions may see rain at one or two places.
Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall is expected in specific areas within the Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions, it said.
Both day and night temperatures are expected to rise slightly across the country, added the bulletin.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 58th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 52 at 9am this morning (July 26, 2024).
Today’s air was classified as 'moderate', according to the AQI index.
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.
Uganda’s Kampala, Indonesia’s Medan and Jakarta occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 169, 163 and 158, 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.
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.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be in ‘moderate’ zone this morning
Dhaka's air quality continues to be in the ‘moderate’ zone on Thursday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 61 at 11:18 am, Dhaka ranked 39th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Iraq's Baghdad, Democratic Republic of the Congo's Kinshasa and Indonesia' Jakarta occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 314, 158 and 157 respectively.
An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with acceptable air quality. However, there may be a health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
BMD forecasts light to moderate rain
AQI score between 150 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', and a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in the winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year.
July 21 marks hottest day on record worldwide: climate change service
The Earth experienced its warmest day in recent history on July 21, with the daily global average temperature reaching a new record high, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service on Tuesday.
The new peak, recorded at 17.09 degrees Celsius, slightly surpassed the previous record of 17.08 degrees Celsius set on July 6, 2023. This marks the highest global average temperature since at least 1940, according to a report released by the service.
Before July 2023, the previous daily global average temperature record was set on Aug. 13, 2016, at 16.8 degrees Celsius. According to the report, the world has experienced 57 days exceeding this previous record in the past 13 months.
Describing the difference between the temperature of the last 13 months and previous records as "truly staggering," Carlo Buontempo, director of the service, said, "We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years."
The year 2023 has been confirmed as the warmest year on record. Tuesday's report suggested that 2024 could potentially be warmer than 2023, though it is still too early to predict with certainty.
An intense heatwave has swept across parts of the United States, Europe, and Asia over the past month, escalating health and fire risks.
BMD forecasts light to moderate rain
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast rain or thundershowers in all divisions including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 6pm on Wednesday.
“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at most places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions; at many places over Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions,” said a Met office bulletin.
The country’s highest 165mm of rainfall was recorded in Cox’s Bazar in 24 hours till 6pm on Tuesday.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’
Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country, according to the BMD.
The country’s highest temperatures were recorded in Pabna’s Ishwardi at 34.5 degree Celsius over the past 24 hours till 6pm Tuesday while the lowest temperature was in Cox’s Bazar’s Kutubdia at 24.3 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, the low pressure area over West Bengal and adjoining area persists. The axis of monsoon trough runs through Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, the centre of the low to Assam across southern part of Bangladesh. Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over North Bay.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’
Dhaka’s air was classified as 'moderate' on Wednesday morning, according to the Air Quality Index.
The Bangladesh capital ranked 32nd on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 65 at 11:20am this morning (July 24, 2024).
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.
Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa, Pakistan’s Lahore and Egypt’s Cairo City occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 187, 163 and 158, 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.
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.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’
Dhaka has ranked 22nd on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 79 at 9:02am this morning (July 18, 2024).
Today’s air was classified as 'moderate' and the city’s air quality continues to be moderate for the past few days, according to the AQI index.
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.
Uganda's Kampala, United Arab Emirates’ Dubai and Indonesia's Jakarta, occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 169, 160 and 158 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.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’
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.
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.
Dhaka’s air quality still ‘moderate’ thanks to public holiday
Dhaka’s air quality was marked as moderate on Wednesday morning and thin traffic on the city streets for Ashura holiday can be attributed to that.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 83 at 11:30 am, Dhaka ranked 18th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst 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.
Pakistan’s Lahore, Egypt’s Cairo City and Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 162, 141 and 134, 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.
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.
National air quality management plan to be formulated to improve air quality: Environment Secretary
Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Farhina Ahmed said Bangladesh National Air Quality Management Plan is being formulated with the aim of improving the country's air quality and taking necessary steps to effectively prevent and control pollution.
By implementing this, the annual number of days of good and moderate air will gradually increase in air quality index across the country including Dhaka by 2030. This will contribute to achieving the country's annual average PM2.5 air pollutant PM2.5 interim targets of WHO and the country's national standards and the implementation of the South Asia Clean Air Vision 2030, she said.
The environment secretary said these in a meeting to finalize the draft of the national air quality management plan held in the Ministry prepared with the technical cooperation of the World Bank on Tuesday, said a press release.
She said effective management of air emitted from moving, specific or unspecified sources and permanent sources including chimneys as a result of this plan; Effective management of indoor air quality; Hazardous Pollutant Control Management; Acknowledgment and dissemination of best practices in air quality management will be facilitated.
The secretary said clean energy, energy efficient technology, quality of fuel related to gaseous emissions; Air quality monitoring; Collection and storage of data on air quality, research, management, and assessment of its adverse effects, participation and cooperation in the global environment on air quality management will be strengthened, it reads.
In the meeting, Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Development) Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Additional Secretary (Environmental Pollution Control) Tapan Kumar Biswas along with senior officials of the ministry and officials of various ministries and departments were present. draft national air quality management plan was presented by Sidhartha Sankar Kundu, the deputy secretary (EPC) of the ministry, and Md. Ziaul Haque, the director (air quality management) of the Environment Department.