The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Most people in Bangladesh think that climate change is confusing; they can't see how it relates to them; won't affect them personally; is a problem for the future, not now; and can't be affected by their individual actions, because the problem is so big".These are the challenges we need to face for fighting climate change, leading expert and IUCN Bangladesh country director Dr Ainun Nishat told environmental journalists and added," We can prepare for the challenges if we believe something can be done. Firstly, we need to change these attitudes".

Climate change, Dr Nishat asserted, is happening now. Bangladesh is already suffering from its present impacts, said another climate scientist and BIDS research director Dr M Asaduzzaman. Quoting current scientific understanding, globally acclaimed climate scientist Dr Atiq A Rahman of BCAS warned, the state of well-being and survival of the people in Bangladesh will be under serious threat from climate change over the coming decades.

They echoed each other saying, particularly the poorest of the poor of Bangladesh are the most vulnerable to the climate threats and they already are and will continue to suffer most .

Extreme weather and events like cyclone, flood, storm surges will intensify, becomes more frequent and unpredictable, the climate experts told members of FEJB at their 12 biennial general meeting held here.

Changes in the temperature and rainfall pattern will be significant, with grave implications on our natural resources base, agriculture and related sectors.

Livelihood at risk droughts and flash foods, untimely hailstorm, mists will increase and take place more frequently. In addition, changes that take place gradually over years and sometimes decades, such as salinity intrusion, desertification and sea level rise will compound our risks and national development goals, particularly poverty reductions.

" As a nation we must face up to this challenge. For Bangladesh, climate change is everyone's concern," said FEJB chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury.

" Therefore we must all understand the challenge and act now. Everyone has a stake and therefore a role to play in their respective capacity. Adequate and appropriate understanding of climate challenges begins with accurate information, knowledge and communication," he added.

" We need to help people understand that climate change is a serious challenge, but one that we can do something about. We want to communicate a positive vision of what we are collectively trying to achieve," said Mohammad Reazuddin of DOE.

Mohammad Kamaluddin of climate cell of DOE underscored the need for working together to prepare and address climate change challenges faced by this generation and generations to come.

" Initially we need to focus on making climate change easily understood and a 'here and now', front of mind' issue. We also want people to have an increased awareness of what needs to be done to tackle it. We want to avoid giving the impression that it is solely the responsibility of individuals to take action. Everyone in society- government and its agencies, business, industry and the public-needs to tackle climate change together," emphasised Dr Atiq.

They also pointed out that among the general public, few people understand what is actually causing climate change. The first and most important thing is to change the way people think about climate change. Then we can try to change their behaviour, they added.