Climate experts and representatives of civil society on Wednesday said that the entire Bangladesh is at serious risk due to climate change.
They said the commitment of political parties is needed to address this risk. Therefore, the political parties have to announce specific commitments ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, they added.
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They made the calls in a national dialogue on “Mobilising Political Commitment to Address Climate Crisis” at Azimur Rahman Conference Hall in the Daily Star Centre in Dhaka.
Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) Executive Director Dr. Atiq Rahman chaired the session, said a press release.
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Among the participants, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir, Executive Director of COAST Foundation Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chairman of Department of Geology and Environment Mohammad Abdul Quader, CANSA Bangladesh Chairperson Rabeya Begum, AOSED Executive Director Shamim Arfeen, Executive Director of CDP Jahangir Hasan Masum, Deputy Executive Director of DORP Md. Zubair Hasan, Coordinator of Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, General Secretary of Pani Adhikar Committee Humayun Kabir Boby, President of Coastal Voice of Bangladesh Abu Hena Mostafa Jamal, and Al Imran of CPRD.
The speakers in the dialogue said that climate change has taken an aggressive form. By the year 2050, this danger will become more dire. But the developed countries responsibility for environmental damage has no concern, they said.
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They want to avoid paying compensation and mitigating damages. On the contrary, they want to subjugate the affected countries. To change this situation, regardless of the party, we need to talk together here. That declaration should be made in the election manifesto, they said.