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

[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

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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.

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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...

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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?

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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.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France

With a dense population, rising sea levels, and extreme weather, Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation and sustainable development, said the Embassy of France in Dhaka on Wednesday. France is eager, notably through its development agency, AFD, to contribute to adaptation to climat

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
UNB
Published :
Jan 15, 2025 16:47
Updated :
Jan 15, 2025 16:47

With a dense population, rising sea levels, and extreme weather, Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation and sustainable development, said the Embassy of France in Dhaka on Wednesday.

France is eager, notably through its development agency, AFD, to contribute to adaptation to climate change, said the Embassy which is now equipped with an inflatable boat to ensure safety and support during floods.

"Just got our new inflated boat!," the Embassy announced in a social media post from its verified Facebook page, noting that Bangladesh faces annual flooding, especially during the monsoon season, due to its low-lying topography and vulnerability to tropical cyclones and heavy rains.

France reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Bangladesh to advance climate resilience and sustainable development goals.

"Together, France and Bangladesh are building resilience for the future!" said the Embassy in a Facebook post that contains photos of the boat and Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy.

Both Bangladesh and France are Indo-Pacific countries.

Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and play a vital role in regulating environmental balances, providing resources and biodiversity, enabling trade and connecting countries and communities.

The Embassy, however, said oceans are under threat from climate change, pollution and the overexploitation of marine resources.

France and Costa Rica are jointly organising the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, from June 9 to 13 this year.

Ten years after COP21 and the Paris Agreement, UNOC3 aims to bring together all United Nations Member States, specialised agencies, civil society, the private sector and international donors.

The conference will build on the previous UN Ocean Conferences, hosted by Sweden and Fiji in 2017 in New York and by Portugal and Kenya in 2022 in Lisbon.

The overarching theme of the conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.

The conference aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and identify further ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14.

It will build on existing instruments to form successful partnerships towards the swift conclusion and effective implementation of ongoing processes that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean.

The Conference will involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organisations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organisations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organisations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14.​

 

[Saif]

US envoy stresses advanced measures to tackle Dhaka’s air pollution

US Science Envoy for Air Quality Dr Jamie Schauer has emphasized on the urgent need for advanced monitoring systems, cleaner technologies, and multi-sectoral partnerships to improve Dhaka's air quality

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US envoy stresses advanced measures to tackle Dhaka’s air pollution

File photo

US Science Envoy for Air Quality Dr Jamie Schauer has emphasised on the urgent need for advanced monitoring systems, cleaner technologies, and multi-sectoral partnerships to improve Dhaka's air quality.

He presented several recommendations for mitigating air pollution, including adopting cleaner fuels, using air pollution control devices on power generation and mobile sources, improving waste management to minimize waste burning, and dust control measures.

Dr Jamie Schauer yesterday concluded a week-long visit to Dhaka from January 12-16 and highlighted the need for capacity building, innovation, and partnerships across government, industry, and civil society including academia to implement sustainable air quality solutions.

He demonstrated the US government's strong commitment to supporting Bangladesh's efforts in tackling air pollution, said the US Embassy in Dhaka in a statement.

Schauer collaborated with local academics, government officials, and NGOs, sharing expert insights and practical solutions to improve air quality.

His visit emphasised the importance of air quality management, effective policies, and academic collaboration to address the complex air pollution challenges facing Bangladesh.

Dr Schauer, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Director of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, has served as the US Science Envoy for Air Quality since 2018.

On January 12, Dr Schauer was the keynote speaker at the Air Quality Research and Environmental Policy Discussion at Dhaka University.

At the event, he discussed Dhaka's critical air pollution, identifying key sources such as power plants, vehicles, biomass burning, waste combustion, construction dust, and brick kilns.

He stressed the need for advanced monitoring systems and source apportionment studies to guide policy, address seasonal and localised pollution patterns, and encourage cross-sectoral collaboration.

Schauer met with stakeholders from the power generation and transport sectors to discuss technological solutions for cleaning emissions of both PM2.5 and other air pollutants.

On January 14, the delegation visited the US Embassy Dhaka's Air Quality Monitor, which measures airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on the compound.

Dr Schauer was joined on his visit to Bangladesh by two other professors, Dr Jill Baumgartner from McGill University and Dr. Benjamin de Foy from Saint Louis University.

Dr Baumgartner, an expert on the human health impacts of environmental pollutants in urban areas, and Dr. de Foy, a professor of atmospheric sciences who uses computer models to study air pollutant emissions, both shared their expertise on pollution mitigation and environmental health hazards.

This visit underscores the US government's ongoing commitment to supporting Bangladesh's efforts to improve air quality through knowledge-sharing and collaborative policy development.​

 

[Saif]

Polythene ban: A litmus test for will and eco-innovation

Although Bangladesh became the first country in the world to announce a complete ban on the use of polythene bags in 2002, strict enforcement of the much-lauded initiative has only started taking shape recently.

www.thedailystar.net

Polythene ban: A litmus test for will and eco-innovation

Photo: Prabir Das

Although Bangladesh became the first country in the world to announce a complete ban on the use of polythene bags in 2002, strict enforcement of the much-lauded initiative has only started taking shape recently.

In 2002, former environment minister Shajahan Siraj, a lawmaker of the-then ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, made the declaration on grounds that continuing the use of poly bags would pose severe risks to human health and the environment.

The move was initially accepted by most, leading to a steady decline in the pile up of associated plastic waste. However, this early momentum soon fizzled out as people started switching back to poly bags for a myriad of reasons.

These include the authorities' unwillingness to enforce the law as poly bag makers cried foul for their losses and lobbied political quarters to stay the order while the lack of acceptable alternatives was also scarce.

And with more than two decades having passed since then, the interim government decided that it would revive the ban and implement it in full from November 2024.

But roughly two and a half months on, the lone achievement to this end is that around 1,500 supershops across the country now offer jute, paper and cloth bags for shoppers to carry their purchases.

The use of poly bags is particularly rampant at local kitchen markets, indicating that Bangladesh is still struggling with the change despite being the globe's second largest producer of jute fibre, a widely accepted alternative.

WHY THOUGH?

Ironically, it is largely because there are not enough alternatives to plastic bags currently available.

Around 20 small-scale manufacturers of alternative bags are struggling to produce enough eco-friendly bags to meet the daily demand from supershops. No major investments have come in, nor are entrepreneurs showing interest in pouring money into alternative bag-making.

In wet kitchen markets, grocery shops and roadside stalls, there have been no visible changes in the use of poly bags before and after the ban took effect.

Factories in the narrow alleys of Lalbagh, Sahid Nagar and Chawkbazar -- roughly four kilometres from the government's executive headquarters at the Bangladesh Secretariat -- continue to produce poly bags of various shapes, sizes and colours, as they have for years.

According to small-scale eco-bag manufacturers, there is no guarantee that future political governments will continue to enforce the ban, let alone strengthen it.

This same uncertainty -- a stable policy environment -- deters small ventures from investing in eco bags.

Meanwhile, the government said traders decrying the lack of poly bag alternatives are, in fact, promoting the use of plastic bags.

According to environmentalists, implementation of the polythene ban faltered in 2002 because suitable alternatives were not available in adequate supply. So, it is essential to focus on developing alternatives that are both readily available and affordable to solve the polythene problem.

SUPERMARKETS ADAPTING TO CHANGE

Major supermarket chains, including Shwapno, Agora, Unimart, and Meena Bazar, swiftly adapted to the new regulations.

Jute and paper bags are now available at checkout counters while customers are being encouraged to bring their own reusable bags. Posters and announcements throughout the stores remind shoppers of the importance of reducing plastic consumption.

For those who forget their reusable bags, these stores offer eco-friendly alternatives priced between Tk 20 and Tk 25.

Sabbir Hasan Nasir, managing director of supershop Shwapno, sounded hopeful about phasing out poly bags.

"We welcome this initiative and have been encouraging customers to use eco-friendly bags instead of polythene," he said.

However, a major cause of concern is customer behaviour and their shopping habits.

Many shoppers are reluctant to buy reusable bags as they used to get poly bags for free whereas a typical jute bag often costs them around Tk 22. Besides, the jute bag itself can be a bother, especially for carrying heavy items like rice or wet foods like fish and meat.

Nasir said the government should come up with subsidies to make high-quality, durable eco-friendly bags that are more affordable for consumers.

He also highlighted the surging demand for jute bags, saying that Shwapno currently requires around 100,000 bags of different sizes daily. With the expansion of their outlets, this demand is increasing by 30 percent each month.

CAN ECO BAG PRODUCERS KEEP UP?

Md Rashedul Karim Munna, president of the Bangladesh Jute Diversified Products Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the jute industry was not ready for the sudden increase in demand for affordable eco-friendly bags.

"Separate materials and investments are needed to produce such bags," he added.

Munna urged the government to issue a gazette ensuring the ban remains in effect for at least three years, arguing that this would encourage investment and create employment opportunities in the industry.

He also suggested lifting the value-added tax (VAT) on supermarket sales to make jute bags more accessible to both businesses and consumers.

Munna said the absence of financial incentives and supporting infrastructure for jute bag production is a major challenge for the long-term success of the ban.

Meanwhile, eco-friendly bag producers like Tahmidul Islam, owner of Baeki Centre, are already feeling the strain of keeping up with the sudden spike in demand.

Previously focused on making promotional items, Baeki Centre is now churning out biodegradable bags.

Since the enforcement of the ban, the company has been supplying more than 30,000 bags to various supermarkets every day.

However, Islam claimed the journey has been fraught with obstacles, like delayed payments from superstores.

"Some retailers are trying to clear bills many months after delivery. This makes it difficult to sustain production," he said.

Moreover, the rising price of raw jute and the unfortunate timing of the ban -- which coincided with the end of the jute harvesting season -- have made it nearly impossible to manufacture low-cost bags, he added.

Islam also expressed frustration over inadequate enforcement of the ban.

"Despite the government's directives, mobile courts are not being conducted regularly to ensure compliance," he said. "Without stricter oversight, the effectiveness of the ban could be seriously compromised."

SHOPPERS SLOW ON SWITCHING

Khandaker Nur-E-Burhan, chief operating officer of Agora Limited, said a massive public awareness campaign is necessary to educate consumers and businesses about the environmental benefits of reducing plastic use.

Unlike many other countries, the trend of shopping with reusable bags is not yet common practice in Bangladesh, he said.

Consumers are often hesitant to purchase reusable bags, which usually cost between Tk 15 and Tk 25, depending on quality and size.

"This added cost, plus the inconvenience of carrying bags to the market repeatedly, annoys many shoppers."

Burhan said low-cost, single-use eco-friendly bags, ideally priced between Tk 5 and Tk 7, were necessary.

However, he admitted that such affordable and high-quality options are currently unavailable.

Besides, the continued use of polythene bags in wet markets creates an uneven playing field for supermarkets. This disparity is impacting the profitability of businesses.

Against this backdrop, Burhan said he is in favour of the government implementing similar policies for both wet markets and superstores to ensure a level playing field for all businesses.

He also suggested providing financial assistance to eco-friendly bag makers to reduce production costs and make these alternatives more affordable for consumers.

KITCHEN MARKETS REMAIN PLASTIC BAN BATTLEGROUND

During a recent visit to a kitchen market in Uttara, an affluent neighbourhood of the capital Dhaka, a widespread reliance on plastic bags was found.

Grocers and vendors said customers rarely bring their own reusable bags, forcing them to provide plastic bags for carrying goods.

"There are eco-friendly bags available in the market," a vegetable vendor said. "But they are expensive, and customers are reluctant to buy those."

The shopkeepers all agreed that despite the government's ban on single-use plastic bags, there are no readily available alternatives that can offer the same convenience.

For instance, take the case of Asad Rahman who bought fish and vegetables from the kitchen market. He bought 1.5 kilogrammes of Rui fish and half a kilogramme of smaller fish, placing each type in separate plastic bags and then bundling them together in a larger one.

His shopping continued. Onions, green chillies and some vegetables were added to the growing basket, each in its separate poly bag. By the time he left the market, he was carrying a total of eight plastic bags.

"How is it possible to keep fish and meat in the fridge without polythene bags?" Rahman questioned. "And is there a viable alternative for transporting wet items from the market?"

Rahman informed that he is well aware of the dangers of non-biodegradable plastic bags, citing them as the main culprit for clogging drains and waterways, causing them to overflow even after a brief shower.

But when asked if he could have used fewer bags, his tone shifted.

"Plastic has become an integral part of our lives," he said. "It's incredibly convenient to use. So, the government must introduce a viable alternative before enforcing a complete ban."

Md Abdur Rouf, secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, also said he believes there is no alternative to using poly bags in absence of a proper substitute.

But while informing that the ministry does not have any dedicated research wing for developing potential alternatives to poly bags, he admitted that biodegradable cloth and jute bags could serve this purpose for now.

Regarding the extra cost to consumers, he said they have no choice but to accept it as there is little scope to provide eco-friendly bags free of cost.

'NO ALTERNATIVE IS NO EXCUSE'

Farhina Ahmed, secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, dismissed claims that a lack of alternatives is the main obstacle to phasing out polythene bags.

"Traditionally, Bangladesh has always had alternatives to plastic," she said. "It doesn't have to be jute as cotton and paper bags are also viable options."

According to her, the process must be simultaneous: consistent monitoring and enforcement alongside a search for alternatives.

"The government is implementing the ban in phases," she said. "While using plastic bags has become deeply ingrained in our daily lives, perceived as safe, convenient, and free -- which it is not -- this shift will take time. If you currently require 10 million plastic bags per day, you would need significantly fewer reusable alternatives."

Ahmed also said the country has no choice but to transition to alternatives, not only because it is the law, but because the continued use of plastic will irrevocably damage peoples' health and the environment.

"If Chennai, Rwanda and Tanzania can successfully implement a plastic ban, then there is no reason why Bangladesh cannot do the same," she added.​