[🇧🇩] Save the Rivers/Forests/Hills-----Save the Environment

[Saif]

Blocking sun to fight climate change

To *&*&*&*&*&*& the process of human-induced global warming, the concerned UN bodies have been working hard to prevail upon nations to limit their levels of carbon emission. But despite commitments and promises from the main contributors to global warming, cooperation from the developed and fast growing

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Blocking sun to fight climate change
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Jan 06, 2025 21:45
Updated :
Jan 06, 2025 21:45

To *&*&*&*&*&*& the process of human-induced global warming, the concerned UN bodies have been working hard to prevail upon nations to limit their levels of carbon emission. But despite commitments and promises from the main contributors to global warming, cooperation from the developed and fast growing developing nations is not forthcoming as expected. But scientists are not sitting idly by, while the politicians are taking the world to the brink of self-destruction. Some of these climate scientists are working on a novel idea of cooling the earth by spraying large amounts of aerosol into the stratosphere, the layer of the atmosphere that lies approximately 10 km to 50 km above the surface of the earth. These scientists hold that if this chemical substance is sprayed for long enough, it can reflect sunlight and cool the atmosphere. So, this can be a recipe for combating global warming.

This idea is part of solar geoengineering, a set of technologies that aims to manipulate earth's climate to mitigate the impact of climate change. Interestingly, these set of technologies are gaining traction among lawmakers, academics and even the UN bodies like IPCC (Intergovernmental panel on climate change) that assesses climate change and provides related scientific information to policymakers. However, there are also strong opponents of this idea who consider it a dangerous gamble on a planetary scale, since no one knows what would be the long-term effect of spraying aerosol, a suspension of liquid or solid particles in a gas such as air. Suspended chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and Hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) particles that constitute aerosol, if sprayed into the atmosphere, will rise up to the ozone layer, which is part of the stratosphere. The chlorine in the chlorofluorocarbon, once released from the aerosol container, reacts with ozone gas and depletes it. The proponents of the method of aerosol spraying believe that by this means sunrays can be blocked from reaching the earth and thereby lower earth's temperature. Used over a long period of time, the method at a stage would bring down earth's temperature to the pre-industrial level, proponents of this process of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) or geoengineering believe.

This approach is obviously acceptable to the fuel oil producing countries and the businesses in this sector. Industries dependent on fossil fuel will also welcome the process. But the opponents think, here lies the real danger. Because by creating a hole in the ozone layer and expanding it further by continuously spraying CFC into it, ultraviolet (UV) rays, as generally believed, would flood the earth destroying plant and animal life. This is a common fear among scientists that led to banning of the use of CFC-rich aerosols in 1994 in the USA. And ultimately, the ban was introduced across the globe. Small wonder that, the proposal of using geoengineering like SRM as an answer to global warming has been greeted with such controversy among the scientific community. Even so, the SRM is being given serious consideration by many scientists including those in the IPCC. The reason is, the reduction of the solar heat being trapped by the earth at the expected level is not possible by the method of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) now in use. In fact, the energy imbalance the earth is experiencing is approximately 1 watt per square metre of the earth's surface area. This is more than 25 times the amount of energy humans use globally. In that case, the target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level by 2050 does not appear to be an achievable one. Hence is this present focus of climate scientists on SRM as a possible tool of climate action.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka needs to urgently prepare for a major quake

Having experienced two earthquakes in the span of a single week, an obvious question looms – are we taking this silent threat seriously enough?

www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka needs to urgently prepare for a major quake
Say experts

File Design / STAR

Having experienced two earthquakes in the span of a single week, an obvious question looms – are we taking this silent threat seriously enough?

Luckily, none of the two earthquakes -- one on January 3 with a moderate magnitude of five that originated in Myanmar and another yesterday morning with a 7.1 magnitude originating in Tibet -- were close enough to affect us.

Yesterday's quake had its epicentre near the Nepal-Tibet border and reportedly killed at least 126 people. Dhaka residents woke up to the tremors early in the morning, content with the thought that the quake was not big enough in the country.

Experts, however, say that Dhaka sits precariously on a seismic time bomb.

Research indicates that the Indo-Burma subduction zone, encompassing Sylhet and Chattogram, is accumulating strain capable of generating a significant seismic event, with the capability of releasing the energy of up to a magnitude of eight.

Another very active zone is the Dauki fault, which has been associated with several large earthquakes. It is believed to have ruptured three times in the past millennium, with significant events occurring in 840, 920 and 1548 and possibly the 1897 Assam earthquake, which had a magnitude of eight or more.

Smaller tremors occur in this region regularly -- 550 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or above have struck within 300km of Bangladesh in the past decade. This comes down to an average of 55 quakes per year, or four per month. On average, there are earthquakes near Bangladesh every six days.

Experts say these small seismic events can be a warning sign of a bigger earthquake in regions with active faults, such as the Dauki fault or the Indo-Burma subduction zone.

The Great Assam Earthquake of 1897 shook the Indian subcontinent, reaching parts of Dhaka. More than a century later, experts warn that the region is overdue for another seismic event -- one that could have devastating consequences for the Bangladesh capital's 22 million residents.

As one of the world's most densely populated cities, Dhaka is alarmingly ill-prepared to face such a disaster.

While minor tremors have been felt over the years, the city's collective response has been nothing more than a fleeting concern. It is no longer a question of what will happen if an earthquake hits, but when it hits.

With dense urbanisation and poorly enforced building codes, the city is at risk of catastrophic damage in the event of a major quake.

Dhaka is more vulnerable to earthquakes due to its geological location, and human and economic exposure. According to the earthquake disaster risk index, the capital tops the list of the 20 most vulnerable cities in the world.

Even though Bangladesh achieved remarkable success in disaster management, especially managing events like cyclones and floods, the scenario would be different in case of a catastrophe in Dhaka and require meaningful government attention.

According to experts, the government should conduct extensive mass awareness programmes among citizens with regular earthquake drills; enhance children's education about natural disasters using digital platforms; ensure volunteer training; and form a coordination platform with government and non-government agencies for rescue operations.

Also, as part of long-term measures, the government must enforce the proper implementation of the National Building Code. If needed, the code should be updated by incorporating a proper implementation plan.

We can no longer afford to be complacent.

The risk grows with every single day of delay. Earthquake drills, stricter building codes, and public awareness campaigns are no longer optional -- they are a necessity.

The time to prepare is now, before it's too late.​

 

[Saif]

Season’s longest cold wave likely next week, temp may fall below 10°C

Minimum temperatures may fall below 10 degrees Celsius across more than half of the country, inviting a bone-chilling cold.

en.prothomalo.com

Season’s longest cold wave likely next week, temp may fall below 10°C
Special Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 07 Jan 2025, 20: 30

Working people wrapped in warm clothes brave the cold as they head out for work on a three-wheeler. The photo was taken from the Manoharpur area of the Pabna-Ishwardi highway on 6 January 2024. Hasan Mahmud

The shivering cold is set to return with dense fog as a fresh spell of cold wave is likely to hit the country the next week, according to the weather office.

Daytime temperature is likely to drop by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius across the country on Wednesday, and it may gradually lead to a cold wave in different parts of the country within a few days, particularly in the northern region.

In the northernmost region, Tentulia in Panchagarh, temperatures have already reached cold wave levels. The meteorological department forecast that cold may intensify in the coming days and persist throughout the next week.

The capital city experienced a respite from cold in the last few days due to a steady rise in temperatures, ranging between 1 or 2 degrees Celsius daily. It is expected to decline consistently in the next five to six days. Minimum temperatures may fall below 10 degrees Celsius across more than half of the country, inviting a bone-chilling cold.

The cold wave might be the longest one of the current season.

While talking to Prothom Alo, a meteorologist of the Bangladesh meteorological department (BMD), Omar Faruk, said the cold air flow has strengthened, and the volume of fog is rising rapidly. “As a result, both fog and cold may intensify over the next few days and continue until 14 January.”

According to meteorologists, the cold air is being driven by a western low-pressure persisting over the Kashmir region of the Himalayan mountains in northwestern India.

It is moving eastward through the central and northeastern states of India and is expected to reach Bangladesh by Wednesday morning. Therefore, cold air accompanied by fog is likely to flow over the country from tomorrow.

Among the districts, those of Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions are likely to suffer the most from the cold wave. Besides, the Sylhet division may experience an intense cold.​

 

[Saif]

Stop illegal extraction of natural resources

Enforcement of environmental laws and regulations is needed to protect natural resources.

www.thedailystar.net

Stop illegal extraction of natural resources
Combined public-private initiatives can prevent such practices

VISUAL: STAR

We are concerned about the rampant illegal sand extraction reported at the Barachhara canal in Sharsharshee village of Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. According to a report by this daily, the extraction has continued unabated despite a High Court order banning sand mining in the area, causing parts of a sluice gate to sink. Built to provide irrigation water to local farmers, the gate's functionality is now compromised, jeopardising agricultural activities and the livelihoods of around 25,000 farmers in surrounding villages. Furthermore, several sinkholes have appeared in the nearby Dinarpur Tea Garden, while roads have been severely damaged by heavy vehicles transporting the sand.

Locals allege that an influential group, led until recently by a Jubo League leader who is now on the run, is behind this operation. Even though his two-year lease for sand extraction has expired, there has been no let-up in sand extraction. Who, then, is doing it in his absence? The local administration is apparently in the dark about this. We have seen a similar trend in Sylhet's Companyganj where two hillocks have been stripped bare since August 5 through illegal stone quarrying. There, too, the local administration's role has left a lot to be desired.

In Bangladesh, we have no shortage of laws, regulations, and court orders prohibiting illegal and destructive resource extraction. Yet, enforcement has remained woefully inadequate. Even with a non-political government in place, the entrenched political-administration-business nexus continues to wreak havoc on our precious environment and ecology. This needs to change.

We expect the environment adviser, herself a prominent environmental activist, and her ministry to use their authority and experience to stop all illegal operations in extracting natural resources. Given the scale of the problem, it may not be possible for the government to guard every canal, hill, or natural resource on its own. However, community-based initiatives can play a crucial supportive role. Locals can be educated, empowered, and included in the protection and maintenance of these resources. The idea of community policing, supported by local administration and environmental groups, should also be pursued to curb these activities. Only collective efforts can help protect our natural resources on which the livelihoods and well-being of countless citizens depend.​

 

[Saif]

What will it take to end the brick kiln menace?

984 kilns operating in breach of regulations in Rangpur division

www.thedailystar.net

What will it take to end the brick kiln menace?
984 kilns operating in breach of regulations in Rangpur division

VISUAL: STAR

The number is quite staggering, and it's frustrating that such numbers exist even when there is a pro-environment government in place. According to a report citing officials at the departments of environment and agricultural extension in Rangpur, the division has 984 brick kilns—set up on farmlands across its eight districts—operating in violation of government regulations. These kilns use fertile topsoil to make bricks in a process that causes significant damage to the local environment, livelihoods, and health. While the proliferation of such kilns, owned or operated mostly by people with political connections, was understandable under the Awami League regime, their continued operation now questions the ability and sincerity of the interim administration.

The situation is by no means unique to Rangpur. Similar operations also continue in many other areas, ravaging topsoil and burning bricks with impunity. Not long ago, we highlighted the case of Brahmanbaria where, according to a Prothom Alo report, 56 kilns operate illegally. Many of them, including one set up by a former Awami League lawmaker, have no valid documents such as environmental clearance or the permit for brick burning. Many were set up on agricultural lands and even wetland areas. In Lalmonirhat, according to another recent report, 36 brick kilns are operating without a clearance certificate. Although there is no central database on the number of illegal or non-compliant brick kilns in the country, the above reports portray a grim picture.

The question is, what is the interim government doing? To be fair, the environment ministry did take some encouraging steps, including the development of a National Air Quality Management Action Plan in early November to tackle sources of air pollution and enhance enforcement mechanisms. More recently, it has overseen a number of drives through mobile courts targeting illegal kilns, shutting down quite a few by demolishing their chimneys while ordering the closure of multiple others. These measures, however, are proving to be inadequate to address the menace of brick kilns.

We, therefore, urge the government to step up its efforts. Given the massive impact of brick kilns, having legal papers or not, it is no longer enough to just go after a few illegal ones without enforcing compliance across the sector or addressing the heavy reliance on topsoil or traditional bricks. What's at stake here is not just the health of our environment or local communities. The livelihoods of farmers, and by extension the nation's food security, are also at risk. So, the government must explore options to replace traditional brick-making in a way that eventually reduces topsoil and fuel consumption.​

 

[Saif]

SOS from rivers around the city

How a boon turns into a bane or a blessing into a curse is best exemplified by the highly deplorable condition of the rivers around the capital city. Nature created these streams for its own sake, man also found them beneficial; but for unsustainable use, those have now turned into bodies of dirty

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

SOS from rivers around the city
Sarker Nazrul Islam
Published :
Jan 10, 2025 21:16
Updated :
Jan 10, 2025 21:16

Buriganga: Living along a dead river Photo : Reuters

How a boon turns into a bane or a blessing into a curse is best exemplified by the highly deplorable condition of the rivers around the capital city. Nature created these streams for its own sake, man also found them beneficial; but for unsustainable use, those have now turned into bodies of dirty water. Rivers have given humans life and livelihood but, in turn, the latter have pronounced death penalty for the former. These rivers were once the lifeline of the city but now, polluted to the extreme, have themselves become sources of health hazard. The pitch-black water of the rivers and foul toxic smell emitted every moment are taking a heavy toll on health of those who live on the river banks and nearby areas. Given the death throes the rivers find themselves in, the authorities' negligence and reluctance to save them is deplorable.

The city area surrounded by five rivers on all sides, once crisscrossed by many natural canals and dotted with closed water bodies is convex in shape, with the central region a bit elevated compared to the periphery. These special physical features of the land attracted the founders of the city more than 400 years ago. They displayed extraordinary prudence in selecting the spot to set up a military base. From the point of defence strategy, the importance of the terrain was that the rivers around would serve as the first line of defence against invaders. The navigability of the rivers round the year and the natural drainage system were other points of consideration. A good many open and closed water bodies in the city also held excess water and helped keep city free from waterlogging. The then city authorities carefully maintained the navigability of the rivers and allowed none to pollute them. Our present-day policy makers and city authorities proved to be utterly incompetent in comparison to their predecessors. They have not only proved incapable of protecting the natural endowment but also failed to develop a modern drainage and sewerage system befitting the megacity with a population of about 20 million.

In addition to serving the above purposes, the rivers also served as waterways to transport cargoes and passengers. The canals were also used for communication with the city centre. Even during the early years of independent Bangladesh, farmers used to carry their agricultural products to Karwan Bazar wholesale market by boat. These rivers, abound with varieties of sweet water fishes, were important sources of animal protein for the city dwellers. Some of the canals were also used for mooring water vehicles. However, almost none of the facilities are available now due to negligence of the authorities to these natural endowments.

While these canals have been lost almost totally, the rivers are now in their death throes due to encroachment by powerful quarters and dumping of solid waste and industrial effluents. Human waste and waste from slaughter houses are also dumped into rivers indiscriminately. The pollution of the river water has reached beyond purification. Due to drastic fall of dissolved oxygen in the water of the rivers, aquatic plants and animals cannot survive in them. The Buriganga and the Turag rivers are virtually dead rivers; what remains of those now are shadows of their past. Needless to say, other rivers across the country are also not in good health.

The city is now absolutely dependent on ground water to meet its daily need. Had not the rivers been polluted to the present level, a significant part of the demand could have been met with river water. In that case, it would have been possible to supply water to the city dwellers at much cheaper rates. The rivers and nearby water bodies could supply fish to the citizens.

The rivers need to be saved from imminent deaths --- all for a healthy environment and well-being of the city dwellers. Saving the rivers involves such actions as dredging to remove solid waste and silt that have accumulated on their beds over many decades, freeing them from illegal encroachment and imposing complete ban on dumping of waste materials into them.

But the rivers around the city seem to be doomed since those are under nobody's care. There is no clear-cut answer to the question as to who own them and look after them. Despite the importance of the rivers for the ecology and environment of the city and communication, there is no unified authority that can take care of them and save them from impending death. The complex nature of river management would rather hasten the end of their life. The shipping ministry owns the river banks but it does not evict the illegal structures from there. The BIWTA is entrusted with the task but it is a question how many establishments they have knocked down so far. Water resources ministry owns the water but environment ministry has been assigned the task of keeping the water clean. How much the water is kept clean is anybody's knowledge. So many cooks have only spoiled the broth.

However, the rivers cannot be left to their fate, the authorities should take the task of saving the rivers seriously and chalk out a separate plan and make budgetary allocation for the purpose. A powerful taskforce may be entrusted with the task of reclaiming the rivers, canals and water bodies. On different occasions in the past people saw a mockery of river dredging and freeing city canals from encroachment. However, those were nothing more than eyewash. Let the rivers not fall victim, once again, to the negligence of the unwilling authorities.​

 

[Saif]

Three coral reefs found in Bay of Bengal

Researchers of Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) found three sites in the Bay of Bengal, which are rich with coral and one site for coral reef

www.thedailystar.net

Three coral reefs found in Bay of Bengal

Representational image. Photo: Mohammad Arju/Save Our Sea

Researchers of Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) found three sites in the Bay of Bengal, which are rich with coral and one site for coral reef.

Among the coral sites, they identified a new soft coral species near the St Martin's Island that could contribute to pharmaceuticals for cancer treatment, said principal investigator of the research Md Hasibul Islam, the principal scientific officer of BORI.

Besides using the coral for medicinal purposes, the new discovery brings new hope to contribute up to Tk 114 crores per year to the blue economy from marine tourism for snorkeling diving, photography, and videography, he added.

He presented their research to the Annual Research Results Presentation Seminar at BORI campus today.

In another research, a total 131 crab species were identified by the Bori researchers. Principal investigator of the research Md Tarikul Islam, senior scientific officer of the institute said among the species, five are commercially being used as sea food in Bangladesh.

A research on seaweed analysed the approximate composition of seaweed, nutrient content and antioxidant status, which will help to understand the value of seaweed for human health.

Abu Sayeed Muhammad Sharif, senior scientific officer BORI, said they worked with 10 commercial seaweed in the research.

He said they are working to produce seaweed through tissue culture commercially, which will contribute to the blue economy.

Fifteen researchers were present at the daylong seminar chaired by commodore Md Minarul Hoque, director general of BORI.

Md Mokabbir Hossain, senior secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology, and Rear Admiral Md Khurshed Alam, member, board of director of BORI and president of National Oceanographic and Maritime Institute also spoke on the occasion.​

 

[Saif]

Pollution, encroachment killing Brahmaputra

water pollution and encroachment have drastically reduced fish populations, forcing him to consider changing his occupation and pushing him into hard times.

www.thedailystar.net

Pollution, encroachment killing Brahmaputra

Shah Alam, 62, from Alokbali union in Narsingdi Sadar upazila, has been fishing in the Brahmaputra since the age of 8, following in the footsteps of his father.

However, water pollution and encroachment have drastically reduced fish populations, forcing him to consider changing his occupation and pushing him into hard times.

Fishing, once the primary livelihood for Shah Alam's five-member family, has become increasingly unsustainable. His two sons, Jalal Mia, 20, and Helal Mia, 23, have already abandoned the ancestral occupation due to the dwindling fish population, which fails to meet the costs of living.

Many like Shah Alam are quitting fishing, unable to sustain their families due to the pollution and encroachment that have plagued the river.

In Narsingdi, parts of the Brahmaputra have become lifeless due to pollution from industrial waste and encroachment by influential individuals. Once a symbol of heritage and vitality, the river is now a shadow of its former self, its biodiversity and surrounding environment severely disrupted.

According to official data, the Brahmaputra river flows about 20 kilometres through the district.

Locals alleged influential people have built industries and houses, occupying significant portions of the river that once served as a crucial lifeline for trade and commerce in Narsingdi Sadar, Madhabdi, and Narayanganj.

Moinul Islam Miro, president of Narsingdi Paribesh Andolon, said, echoed the same.

Kamruzzaman Sarker, deputy director of Department of Environment in Narsingdi, said, "We are working to save the Brahmaputra and other rivers by taking punitive measures at different times against factories and ensuring ETP compliance."

Mohammad Rashed Hossain Chowdhury, deputy commissioner, said, "The Water Development Board has sent us a list of illegal structures to free the Brahmaputra from encroachment, and we have forwarded the list to the ministry concerned. If approved, the eviction drive will resume."​

 

[Saif]

CURBING AIR POLLUTION: Enforce 2020 directives: HC

The High Court on Sunday asked the government to fully implement its nine-point directives issued in January 2020 to curb air pollution in Dhaka.

www.newagebd.net

CURBING AIR POLLUTION: Enforce 2020 directives: HC
Staff Correspondent 13 January, 2025, 00:51

The High Court on Sunday asked the government to fully implement its nine-point directives issued in January 2020 to curb air pollution in Dhaka.

The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury also asked the authorities concerned to submit reports on the compliance of the order by February 26, the next date of hearing on the matter.

The court passed the order after hearing an application filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh to address longstanding environmental and public health concerns in the capital, which kept rnaking high among the most polluted cities in the world.

In the nine directives issued on January 13, 2020, the High Court asked the police to ensure that all trucks, carriers, or vehicles transporting sand, mud, dust, or waste were properly covered to prevent spillage.

It asked the Dhaka North and South City Corporations and the Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha to ensure that construction materials, including sand, mud, cement, and stones, were securely covered by contractors or authorities concerned.

Both the city corporations were asked to spray water regularly to control dust pollution.

They were were asked to oversee road construction and excavation projects to ensure strict compliance with laws, tender terms and environmental guidelines.

The two city corporation were also asked to ensure that market owners and shopkeepers stored daily waste in safe bags for disposal by the city corporations.

The direrctives tasked the police with seizing vehicles emitting black smoke beyond the permissible limit.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority was asked to set the economic lifespan at 20 years for public transports and 25 years for goods vehicles as per Section 36 of the Road Transport Act 2018 and stop the operation of vehicles beyond the lifespan.

The section empowers the BRTA to set the economic lifespan for all motorised vehicles.

The directives asked the Department of Environment to shut down all illegal brick kilns in two months, immediately halt tyre burning without environmental clearance and unapproved battery recycling.

HRPB lawyer Manzill Murshid informed the court that air pollution in Dhaka worsened due to inadequate enforcement of the 2020 directives.

He emphasised that although authorities made initial progress until 2023, the enforcement was stalled, allowing Dhaka’s air quality to deteriorate further.

He said, ‘Dhaka’s air pollution often peaks during winter, posing severe health risks, including respiratory issues, especially among vulnerable populations. Effective implementation of the High Court directives is a must to reverse this trend.’

The High Court on Sunday stressed the urgency of compliance with the directives, warning that the failure to act would continue to endanger the health and lives of Dhaka residents.

The High Court on several occasions had expressed dissatisfaction with activities of the Department of Environment as environmental pollution, including river and air pollution, kept worsening.

The court questioned the role of the department in preventing air pollution, doubting any necessity of the department as it failed to play any role in stopping air pollution.​

 

[Saif]

2024 hottest recorded year, crosses global warming limit

The past two years saw average global temperatures exceed a critical warming limit for the first time as the UN demanded ‘trail-blazing’ climate action...

www.newagebd.net

2024 hottest recorded year, crosses global warming limit
Agence France-Presse . Geneva, Switzerland 11 January, 2025, 07:21

The past two years saw average global temperatures exceed a critical warming limit for the first time, Europe’s climate monitor said on Friday, as the UN demanded ‘trail-blazing’ climate action.

While this does not mean the internationally-agreed 1.5C warming threshold has been permanently breached, the United Nations warned it was in ‘grave danger’.

‘Today’s assessment from the World Meteorological Organization is clear,’ UN chief Antonio Guterres said. ‘Global heating is a cold, hard fact.’

He added, ‘Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025. There's still time to avoid the worst of the climate catastrophe. But leaders must act now.’

The WMO said six international datasets all confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, extending a decade-long ‘extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures’.

The United States became the latest country to report its heat record had been shattered, capping a year marked by devastating tornadoes and hurricanes.

The announcement came just days before US president-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to double down on fossil fuel production, was set to take office.

Excess heat is supercharging extreme weather, and 2024 saw countries from Spain to Kenya, the United States and Nepal suffer disasters that cost more than $300 billion by some estimates.

Los Angeles is currently battling deadly wildfires that have destroyed thousands of buildings and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

Another record-breaking year is not anticipated in 2025, as a UN deadline looms for nations to commit to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

‘My prediction is it will be the third-warmest year,’ said NASA’s top climate scientist Gavin Schmidt, citing the US determination that the year has begun with a weak La Nina, a global weather pattern that is expected to bring slight cooling.

The WMO’s analysis of the six datasets showed global average surface temperatures were 1.55C above pre-industrial levels.

‘This means that we have likely just experienced the first calendar year with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5C above the 1850-1900 average,’ it said.

Europe’s climate monitor Copernicus, which provided one of the datasets, found that both of the past two years had exceeded the warming limit set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Global temperatures had soared ‘beyond what modern humans have ever experienced’, it said.

Scientists stressed that the 1.5C threshold in the Paris Agreement refers to a sustained rise over decades, offering a glimmer of hope.

Still, Johan Rockstrom of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research called the milestone a ‘stark warning sign.’

‘We have now experienced the first taste of a 1.5C world, which has cost people and the global economy unprecedented suffering and economic costs,’ he told AFP.

Nearly 200 nations agreed in Paris in 2015 that meeting 1.5C offered the best chance of preventing the most catastrophic repercussions of climate change.

But the world remains far off track.

While Copernicus records date back to 1940, other climate data from ice cores and tree rings suggest Earth is now likely the warmest it has been in tens of thousands of years.

Scientists say every fraction of a degree above 1.5C matters –– and that beyond a certain point the climate could shift in unpredictable ways.

Human-driven climate change is already making droughts, storms, floods and heat waves more frequent and intense.

The death of 1,300 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during extreme heat, a barrage of powerful tropical storms in Asia and North America, and historic flooding in Europe and Africa marked grim milestones in 2024.

The oceans, which absorb 90 per cent of excess heat from greenhouse gases, warmed to record levels in 2024, straining coral reefs and marine life and stirring violent weather.

Warmer seas drive higher evaporation and atmospheric moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and energising cyclones.

Water vapour in the atmosphere hit fresh highs in 2024, combining with elevated temperatures to trigger floods, heatwaves and ‘misery for millions of people’, Copernicus climate deputy director Samantha Burgess said.

Scientists attribute some of the record heat to the onset of a warming El Nino in 2023.

But El Nino ended in early 2024, leaving them puzzled by persistently high global temperatures.

‘The future is in our hands –– swift and decisive action can still alter the trajectory of our future climate,’ said Copernicus climate director Carlo Buontempo.​

 

[Saif]

The plastic paradox: The crisis that won’t recycle itself

Why has recycling failed so dramatically?

www.thedailystar.net

The plastic paradox: The crisis that won’t recycle itself

The focus on recycling shifts responsibility from the producer to the consumer, perpetuating what researchers call the ‘plastic paradox.’ FILE PHOTO: RAJIB RAIHAN

If we take a closer look at the failure of international efforts to combat plastic pollution, exemplified by the Fifth UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), one thing stands out: the resistance from oil-producing nations to capping plastic production. According to Eunomia data, China, the US, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia were the top five polymer producers in 2023. These nations, heavily invested in the petrochemical industry, consistently prioritise profit over environmental protection. This treaty had the potential to be a game-changer—possibly as impactful as the 2015 Paris Agreement—yet competing economic interests left it on shaky grounds.

Now, a question might arise in one's mind: why? Because plastics are made from fossil fuels, and over the past 15 years, petrochemicals—especially plastics and oil additives—have become a critical pillar of the oil and gas industry's survival. Moreover, the plastics industry is the fastest-growing source of industrial greenhouse gases (GHGs). Groundbreaking research from Carbon Majors shows that just 100 active fossil fuel producers, including ExxonMobil, Shell, BHP Billiton, and Gazprom, are responsible for a staggering 71 percent of industrial GHG emissions since 1988. In 2019 alone, the production and incineration of plastic led to GHG emissions equivalent to those from 189 coal-fired power plants. Over the last 30 years, they have prevented political decisions against climate change, raised scientific doubt, and stopped any development that could regulate production. The alarming part is this: if we don't curb plastic pollution, it could derail efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. From oil extraction and plastic production to product use, recycling and disposal, the entire lifecycle of plastics leaves a trail of destruction.

For decades, we have been told that recycling is the answer to the plastic crisis. But the reality paints a much more depressing picture. The world produces around 430 million metric tonnes of new plastic annually. If we stay on this path, global plastics use is expected to nearly triple by 2060. This linear "take-make-waste" model is unsustainable. A staggering 79 percent of plastic waste accumulates in landfills or the environment, 12 percent is incinerated, and less than 10 percent is recycled. This raises a critical question: why has recycling failed so dramatically?

Plastics are inherently more complex than other recyclable materials, like metal or glass, due to their heterogeneous nature. Each type of plastic contains unique chemical additives—such as colourants, stabilisers and fungicides—that enhance functionality but complicate recycling. Even polyethene terephthalate (PET), one of the most recyclable plastics, degrades in quality with each recycling cycle, accumulating toxins that contaminate new products.

What's more, not all plastics are created equal. PET makes up only about six percent of global plastic production, while other types, like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are recycled even less frequently due to their distinct chemical structures and the presence of additives. These additives, designed to make plastics more durable, flexible and transparent, often combined during the recycling process, further degrading the quality of the material.

A common example is multilayer plastics—composites made from combinations of plastic, aluminium and paper—frequently used in food and medical packaging. These materials are virtually unrecyclable with current technologies, illustrating how design choices can render recycling ineffective from the outset.

Recycling is not just a technical challenge—it's an economic one too. Sorting and processing plastics is labour-intensive and costly. Caps, labels, and differing grades of plastics require meticulous separation, which often costs more than the value of the recycled material itself. The result is a process so complex and expensive that new, high-quality plastics remain more profitable and marketable than recycled alternatives.

Another significant obstacle to effective plastic recycling is the lack of transparency from manufacturers. Many manufacturers keep their chemical formulations proprietary, making it difficult for recyclers to identify and eliminate hazardous substances. This secrecy undermines efforts to create a truly circular recycling system, allowing hazardous substances to remain in circulation.

Bangladesh recognised the plastic problem early by banning single-use plastics in 2002 under the Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act. It later introduced the National 3R Strategy for Waste Management (2010) and Solid Waste Management Rules (2021). However, on paper, these policies seem magnificent, but in practice, they are maleficent. You might ask: why?

These policies failed to utilise the transformative power of corporate accountability through the "polluter pays" principle and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, which require manufacturers to manage the environmental and social impacts of their products throughout their lifecycles. Besides that, these policies lack clarity, and responsibilities across the supply chain fall through the cracks, leaving implementation is still up in the air. Furthermore, the focus on recycling shifts responsibility from the producer to the consumer, perpetuating what researchers call the "plastic paradox."

To drive real change, the government must enforce stringent policies that hold manufacturers responsible, or progress will remain elusive. Local governments are critical in implementing waste management policies but often lack the funding, technical expertise and accountability frameworks needed to enforce policies effectively. Lack of reliable data further complicates matters. Effective policymaking requires accurate information to guide decisions, and Bangladesh currently lacks a robust system for data collection, dissemination, and analysis, as well as dashboards to track progress. Without accurate and actionable data, even the most well-intentioned policies risk falling flat.

Local governments are uniquely positioned to collect and monitor data on waste generation and recycling rates, but they need the tools and support to perform this role effectively. Empowering municipalities with the necessary resources and authority can bridge the data-policy-implementation gap and drive meaningful change.

The final piece of the puzzle is consumer awareness. Consumers have the power to demand sustainable packaging and avoid or support businesses prioritising the environment. International best practices like Germany's bottle deposit scheme, which boasts a 98 percent return rate for empty packaging, demonstrate how consumer-driven solutions can significantly reduce waste. Adapting such practices in Bangladesh could foster a culture of reuse and refill, cutting plastic waste at its source.

The dream of a circular plastic economy—where plastics are endlessly reused and recycled—has morphed into a nightmare. Instead, plastics have spread across the planet like a deadly virus, threatening ecosystems and human health. The plastics industry continues to thrive because the true costs—on health, climate and biodiversity—are shifted onto the public.

Real solutions demand nothing less than a systemic overhaul—from redesigning packaging and improving waste management infrastructure to holding producers accountable. We need a complete transformation in how plastics are produced, used and perceived. Transitioning from a disposable culture to a circular economy requires innovative business models, consumer behaviour shifts, and accountability across the entire supply chain. Bans alone won't work—they haven't in the past, and they won't in the future—unless the entirety of plastics use is strictly monitored and regulated. Without such reforms, resistance will grow, progress will stagnate, and we risk replacing meaningful action with superficial greenwashing.

Uswatun Mahera Khushi is assistant professor of local government and urban development at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.

Md Zahurul Al Mamun is a climate change researcher and analyst.​

 

[Saif]

Climate variability is leaving its ruinous mark

Rising temperatures are leaving footmarks not only on mountainous regions all over the world but also on oceans. In the recent past we have seen how small glacial lakes are creating mass destruction in the Himalayan Community, causing severe devastation to people living in the mountainous reg

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Climate variability is leaving its ruinous mark
Muhammad Zamir
Published :
Jan 13, 2025 21:02
Updated :
Jan 13, 2025 21:02

Rising temperatures are leaving footmarks not only on mountainous regions all over the world but also on oceans. In the recent past we have seen how small glacial lakes are creating mass destruction in the Himalayan Community, causing severe devastation to people living in the mountainous regions in Southeast Bangladesh and also in Myanmar. This is also affecting livelihood, health care and education facilities.

Recent reports emerging from Kathmandu, Nepal have drawn attention to how small glacial lakes can cause destruction, impacting on the livelihoods of entire communities. This is becoming the harsh reality that the people of Thame village in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal is now facing as they are trying to rebuild after the August 16 disaster when a devastating flood literally damaged the Sherpa village in the Khumbu region, damaging houses, local businesses, a school, a health facility, and the community's means of livelihood.

Initially, the cause was unclear, but now things are becoming clearer: Thame village was hit by a flash flood caused by a glacial lake outburst. Thabo glacial lake, located upstream of Thame, burst, sending floodwaters mixed with sediment down to the village. Dr. Arun Bhakta Shreshtha a senior Climate Change Specialist at ICIMOD observed that "it was the result of more than one event-ice/snow melt or an avalanche caused spills from one glacial lake, which then triggered an outburst of flooding from the lower Thyanbo glacial lake." The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) indicated that the area received relatively high rainfall in the week leading up to the event, and temperatures were also relatively high. According to them, it may have caused ice/snow melt or an avalanche at the upper lake, and the spilled water caused erosion, which ultimately triggered the lower lake to burst.

Experts are saying that this flood is the latest example of the causal impact of climate change and the level of impact that can be seen at the local level. Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa, ICIMOD's Cryosphere Analyst-who also belongs to the mountain Sherpa community and is from the Khumbu region-views this event as both personal and a stark reminder of the climate crisis.

Pashang Sherpa has observed that, "Thame is one of the main villages that is important in terms of trekking attraction, and the flood swept away the entire village. That will definitely impact our livelihood." An assessment of the damage by the local government--Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in the Solukhumbu district--has reported that at least 18 properties have been destroyed, including seven homes, five hotels, one school, and one health post. Officials in the Municipality have also observed that "given the difficult geographical terrain, reconstruction efforts will be costly, and the local government's budget will not be enough".

Nevertheless, people of Nepal, living in the mountainous regions are known for their resilient abilities. Consequently, those affected have come forward with great belief in being able to tackle the emerging crisis. Many community leaders have observed that every disaster tests their suppleness, but it also strengthens it. They have also mentioned that as the mountain community, they will emerge united and determined to protect their homes and way of life. However, they have also reiterated that more than ever, that they must raise our voices to the global community so that their stories and struggles can be heard.

A similar scenario but on a far larger scale has been witnessed over the last three weeks in several Districts in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh. Contiguous areas near rivers and mountainous regions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the land adjacent to the sea shore near Cox's Bazar have been severely affected. More than a million persons with their families have had to leave their residences, badly damaged by the flood waters and also by landslides. It has not only affected their agriculture and fisheries but has also raised serious healthcare demands. Educational institutions have been transformed into sanctuaries.

We have watched how donations from private sources as well as institutional assistance are being utilised by local authorities to bring about some desirable solutions to tackle this emergency. At this point one can only hope that we in Bangladesh can take lessons from how matters are being tackled in Nepal. Our voices also need to be heard by the developed countries who seem to be completely overtaken by their national interests and their desire to spend more on arms and weapons rather than on assisting those suffering due to the impact of climate variability.

Attention has also been drawn by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the threatening effects of rising temperature on the oceans. Analyst Oritro Karim has referred to the remark of the Secretary-General -"the ocean connects us all. Sadly, we have taken the ocean for granted, and today we face what I would call an "Ocean Emergency. We must turn the tide... We cannot have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean".

In this context it may be noted that human practices, such as unsustainable fishing, pollution, coastal development, and fossil fuel use have pushed the Earth's oceans to their limits. This has resulted in warmer, more acidic waters. As global temperatures rise yearly due to climate change, oceans continue to see significant losses in biodiversity, rising sea levels, and environmental damage.

While atmospheric temperatures tend to fluctuate, the ocean is steadily and constantly heating up. The State of the Ocean Report by the United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) has also indicated that the ocean is now warming at twice the rate it was twenty years ago. The ocean absorbs the vast majority of the greenhouse gasses emitted globally, causing ocean temperatures to rise at alarming rates. This causes a depletion of oxygen in marine environments, ravaging marine ecosystems.

We need to remember that biodiversity and ecosystem stability are crucial in ensuring planetary health. Without high levels of biodiversity, access to clean air, food, and water are severely compromised. Warmer waters, as a result of climate change, are making it more difficult for a host of species to survive.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also stated that deoxygenation of waters can lead to hypoxia, or "dead zones", in which marine life cannot sustain. EPA has added that small marine organisms, such as plankton, are particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and oxygen levels. Additionally, deoxygenation and overfishing have also led to alarming rates of coral bleaching. We need to remember that coral reefs are super-organisms that provide the fundamental building blocks for about one quarter of all marine life. They are crucial for ocean health, housing entire ecosystems on their own. In this regard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has drawn attention to this evolving scenario by observing that "because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by corals, reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea". It has also been asserted that about 25 per cent of the ocean's fish depend on healthy coral reefs. Fishes and other organisms' shelter, find food, reproduce, and rear their young in the many nooks and crevices formed by corals.

Environmentalists associated with the ocean scenario have also drawn attention to the fact that coral bleaching is particularly concerning as reefs rarely recover after they have been degraded. It has also been underlined that a multitude of ecosystems are dependent on coral reefs for survival. Consequently, ensuring proper coral health is imperative for biodiversity.

Rising temperatures due to greenhouse effect have caused ocean waters become significantly acidic over the years. According to EPA, ocean waters have increased in acidity by over 25 per cent since the Industrial Revolution. Acidity has a significantly adverse impact on a multitude of marine animals. According to the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC), rising levels of pH, which contribute to acidity, impede the availability of carbonate, which allows mollusks to create shells and other important structures. This worsens the chances that mollusks have at survival and puts their predators at risk of starvation.

Losses in ocean biodiversity are a matter of serious concern for humans as well. According to the World Bank, approximately 58 per cent of the world's income comes from jobs in fish production. Additionally, over 3 billion people rely on fish as a crucial part of their diets. As a result, scientists have underlined during climate conferences that decreasing levels of biodiversity in the Earth's oceans threatens to cause widespread food insecurity.

Coastal communities, so far, have been most directly impacted by worsening ocean health. Rising sea temperatures have exacerbated the rise of sea levels and flooding. According to the EPA, exposure to sea water gives way to increased risks of contracting waterborne diseases. Additionally, coastal flooding causes great damage to critical infrastructures, such as housing and road communications.

It would be worthwhile at this juncture to note the efforts being made by Sierra Leone in meeting the challenges it is facing in handling increasingly severe weather patterns. Sierra Leone has launched a nationwide climate action campaign focusing on reforestation, improving drainage systems, and educating the public on the importance of the environment.

We all need to learn from the efforts undertaken by others in different parts of the world. This will assist our region to find sustainable solutions to a snowballing crisis.

Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/opinions/saving-people-from-air-pollution

Saving people from air pollution
Sarker Nazrul Islam
Published :
Jan 14, 2025 22:27
Updated :
Jan 14, 2025 22:27

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh with a population of about 20 million crammed into an area of 300 plus square kilometres, is one of the worst liveable city in the world, in terms of air pollution level. Even the day before yesterday, Dhaka ranked first, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring organisation. Quite often the air quality level here surpasses permissible exposure limit. Dhaka's air quality usually ranges from unhealthy to very unhealthy level. This has been going on for years together without any break. No tangible initiative has been taken until now to tackle the situation.

The city air contains a wide range of very harmful substances from gaseous pollutants and particulate objects to even carcinogenic elements including arsenic, lead and cadmium. Prolonged exposure to these hazardous matters increases the risk of respiratory to cardiovascular diseases and loss or weakening of lung function. Children and elderly people are the worst victims of respiratory ailments. This is the reason why the number of people in the city suffering from asthma and such other diseases is increasing exponentially. Lead causes irreversible damages to brain and kidney. Heavy metals like arsenic and cadmium are said to be responsible for cancerous growth. Situation in other major cities of the country is neither better.

Experts have comprehensive ideas about the sources of the harmful substances that accumulate in the air and pollute it. But even a layman can have his own explanation of the cause and effect of pollution from day to day experience. Whenever ordinary person sees brick kilns in their hundreds dotting areas close to the city's periphery and outmoded motor vehicles belching out toxic fumes and suffocating poisonous gases, air pollution and its effects on human health no longer remains a rocket science to her or him. Since the sources of pollution are known, it must not be difficult to chalk out a plan and plunge into action to free the city from pollution. However, for mysterious reasons, the authorities have failed to shut down the pollutant-emitting brick kilns and withdraw the unfit buses and trucks from the city streets. Dust and dirt floating in the air are also major polluters. The city administration has success stories neither in removing dust from the streets nor keeping it down by regularly spraying water. City dwellers have no escape from breathing in poison every moment.

The authorities concerned are duty-bound to keep the city free from pollution but fail to accomplish the tasks assigned to them. They need to be prodded into action. It is quite obvious that whenever the administration refrains from doing what it is supposed to do, the apex court has to pass orders on the same as was the case regarding relocation of chemical warehouses from the old part of the city and shifting of tannery factories from the Hazaribagh area. Naturally, the issue of freeing the city from pollution cannot be an exception. According to a report carried in this paper, the High Court has voiced its serious concern over Dhaka's air quality and asked the government to take effective steps within seven days towards preventing air pollution in the capital. It also asked the government to comply with a nine-point directive issued five years ago to prevent air pollution here and submit a compliance report before this court by January 26. It is hoped that the HC order will make the authorities concerned prompt enough to take effective measures for phasing out pollution from the city and sparing its dwellers from inhaling poison.​

 

[Saif]

This cannot be the price of progress

Environmental damage from unplanned development, encroachment must stop

www.thedailystar.net

This cannot be the price of progress
Environmental damage from unplanned development, encroachment must stop

VISUAL: STAR

The filling of a large swathe of a wetland in Khulna city's Khalishpur area to make way for a housing project is totally unacceptable. Such actions not only harm biodiversity but also exacerbate the risk of flooding in the area. A photo published on the front page of this daily on January 14 clearly shows how the wetland has been overtaken by unauthorised construction projects that lack approval from the Khulna Development Authority (KDA). Unplanned development of this kind is a major driver of shrinking agricultural lands and wetlands in the country, with devastating long-term consequences.

But we cannot blame private developers alone. The KDA—responsible for overseeing development including by assessing environmental impacts of any housing project and enforcing legal measures against unauthorised construction—has also failed to act against their violations. The government must investigate why the KDA has not taken action against the developers flouting the law and harming the environment.

We have recently come across another case of environmental degradation that is also quite troubling. It involves the 11-kilometre-long Bhola canal, once a vital waterway for trade and irrigation, which is now in distress due to unchecked encroachment and pollution. The canal has lost its flow over the past six years, and as a result, local businesses are struggling. Traders are reportedly incurring additional costs in transportation due to the loss of its navigability, while the time required for transporting goods has also increased drastically. Furthermore, with the canal's water levels being reduced to just two feet, about 2,000 hectares of farmland in the Sadar upazila have been left with without adequate irrigation, jeopardising livelihoods in the region.

Given the gravity of all such degradations, we cannot afford to ignore the environmental and social costs of unplanned development and waterbody encroachment. The interim government must launch a thorough investigation into why public agencies tasked with environmental and development oversight are failing in their responsibilities. It is also imperative to adopt a broader, more sustainable approach to development that accounts for the long-term consequences of neglecting environmental concerns. We urge the government to demonstrate greater commitment to preserving our natural resources.​

 

[Saif]

Govt plans to revive 19 canals in Dhaka

A plan to restore 19 canals in Dhaka has been finalised, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Wednesday. She said that the canals have been selected, and the work plan, including the budget, is ready. The plan is expected to be presented by the end of this month. The adviser shared thi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt plans to revive 19 canals in Dhaka
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jan 15, 2025 22:26
Updated :
Jan 15, 2025 22:26

A plan to restore 19 canals in Dhaka has been finalised, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Wednesday.

She said that the canals have been selected, and the work plan, including the budget, is ready. The plan is expected to be presented by the end of this month.

The adviser shared this update during a progress review meeting on the 'Natural Capital Mapping' at the Secretariat, reorts UNB.

She also said that two additional committees are working on measures to free the four rivers around Dhaka from encroachment and pollution.

"Encroachment has been largely removed, and the focus now is on depollution. This report will be finalised by February," she said.

"A committee will review and finalise these plans by February. After that, we will be able to raise funds and begin the work," she added.

She also said that while work on the Dhaka canals will begin promptly, discussions with development partners continue for other initiatives.

Rizwana Hasan also highlighted that such projects typically take five to 10 years to complete, depending on the country, but assured that an action plan will be created to ensure continuous progress.

She said, "I hope we will have time to begin the work."

Regarding forest, she mentioned that many projects have been cancelled, and about 1,030 acres of forest have been restored.

“No new establishments will be allowed in forest and mountain areas,” Rizwana added.

Rizwana Hasan said that each deputy commissioner has submitted a plan for restoring and depolluting one river in their district, along with a budget.​