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

[Saif]

Loss of glaciers threatens life on the planet

If the Amazon serves as the planet's lungs, glaciers provide the world population with freshwater that sustains life together with oxygen. A piece of highly disconcerting news is that following the ravage of the Amazon, the 275,000 glaciers in all 19 regions of the world have shrunk due to climate

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Loss of glaciers threatens life on the planet
Neil Ray
Published :
Mar 23, 2025 23:18
Updated :
Mar 23, 2025 23:18

If the Amazon serves as the planet's lungs, glaciers provide the world population with freshwater that sustains life together with oxygen. A piece of highly disconcerting news is that following the ravage of the Amazon, the 275,000 glaciers in all 19 regions of the world have shrunk due to climate change for the third consecutive year. Five of the last six years have witnessed the most rapid shrinking of glaciers, 2023 being the worst year for this alarming phenomenon. The year 2024 is the fourth worst in order since the maintenance of glacier record started in 1975.

The message is clear. Unless the sources of sweet water can be preserved from rapid melting, the survival of the humankind will be at stake. Called the Earth's frozen 'water tower', the glaciers together with ice caps store 68.7 per cent of the world's fresh water. But the ice sheets of the Antarctic and Greenland have 99 per cent share of the freshwater ice of the planet. This means that only 1.0 per cent of the freshwater obtained from the glaciers and ice caps has been in use for the more than 8.0 billion population of the world. Then only 1.2 per cent of the freshwater is surface water that meets most of life's requirements. According to the World Water Council, less than 1.0 per cent of freshwater is readily usable by people. No wonder that 2.0 billion people have no access to clean drinking water.

Indisputably, the global warming is responsible for rapid melting of the glaciers. Well, in summer the glaciers which are present in every continent except Australia must thaw in order to replenish the decline in water flows that starts in the winter when water freezes to make up for lost mass and continues up to late summer. If the environmental cycle did not maintain such a seasonal routine, life on the planet would be anything but what it is now. However, this routine is under threat with the excessive thawing of the glaciers and the loss of their masses. The world Meteorological Organisation (WMO), on calculation from data generated by the Swiss-based World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) finds that the glaciers together lost 450 billion tons of mass in 2024 alone.

It unfolds a dire prospect, especially for some regions. Glaciers in western Canada, the United States, the Scandinavia, central Europe the Caucasus and New Zealand are predicted to disappear within this millennium if the global warming continues at the current rate. Earlier, similar apprehension was expressed over the sustainability of the Himalayan glaciers. Rapid melting of glaciers raises the spectre of great floods, landslides and avalanches. However, melting of a portion of the glaciers at a reasonable level is necessary to maintain the water levels in rivers and other water bodies. Rain and water from the glaciers together make up for the depletion of water in rivers that flow through the lower riparian regions to meet the seas or oceans. Seas and oceans send clouds that gather at the peaks of mountains to form ice caps and glaciers.

This simple but inexorable process gives life its sustenance on this planet. If this process is upset due to global warming, the future of mankind is sure to be imperilled. Scientists have tried to impress upon political leaders not only to lessen the use of fossil fuels responsible for producing greenhouse gas, but also focus on limiting temperature to 1.5 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial levels. But the developed industrial nations responsible for major environmental pollution are yet to comply with the Paris Agreement. With Trump back in power, the future of the agreement is in jeopardy because the man in White House does not believe in global warming and is unconvinced of the scientific evidences. His energy policy on massively using fossil fuels to strengthen American economy throws the prospect of lowering global temperature into uncertainty. Thus glaciers stand no chance of regaining their masses.​

 

[Saif]

‘Political backing’ fuels forest encroachment

The reserve forest in Majher Char under Patuakhali’s Rangabali upazila is depleting rapidly due to illegal logging.

www.thedailystar.net

Majher Char in Patuakhali

‘Political backing’ fuels forest encroachment

Workers carrying logs after cutting trees in the reserve forest in Majher Char under Patuakhali’s Rangabali upazila. Due to unabated illegal logging, the forest is on the verge of disappearing. PHOTO: STAR

The reserve forest in Majher Char under Patuakhali's Rangabali upazila is depleting rapidly due to illegal logging.

Allegedly, a local influential individual with political backing has been expanding his fish enclosures by encroaching on forest land through tree felling under the cover of darkness since 2020.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found clear evidence of deforestation, including tree stumps and aerial roots hastily covered with soil or hidden within loose branches and debris.

According to locals, Jewel Sikder has been occupying deforested land in the area to expand his fish enclosure. Initially, he operated under the political shelter of the Awami League, and even after the party's ouster last year, he has continued his activities under the banner of the BNP.

Recently, he has constructed dams, dug drainage canals, and installed culverts within the forest to facilitate water flow to his fish enclosure, locals said.

The local BNP leaders, however, claimed that Jewel had no affiliation with the party.

The reserve forest acts as a natural shield against storms and tidal surges, protecting the coastal region. If it disappears completely, the area will be left defenceless against such natural disasters, and wildlife will suffer due to habitat loss, said Zakir Hossain, a local fish trader, urging urgent action to stop the illegal logging and land grabbing.

Contacted, Jewel Sikder refuted the allegations, claiming he was cultivating fish on land either legally recorded in his name or leased by him. He alleged that a group with malicious intent was making false accusations to harm his reputation.

The Majher Char Reserve Forest falls under the jurisdiction of Kankunipara Forest Camp of Rangabali Forest Range.

Narayan Chandra Majumder, in-charge of the camp, said officials had found evidence of forest grabbing during a site visit following complaints.

A drainage canal was discovered inside the forest, and the fish enclosure had been expanded across a 100-metre stretch of illegally occupied land. The matter has been reported to higher authorities, he said.

Md Shafiqul Islam, divisional forest officer in Patuakhali, said an inquiry has been launched, and the assistant conservator of forest has been directed to investigate. If the allegations are proven, legal action will be taken, he added.Rangabali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Iqbal Hasan said he was aware of the situation and that higher authorities would be informed for necessary action.​

 

[Saif]

Arresting climate-induced poverty

Poverty has many faces that elude common perception and even targeted survey and research. Questionnaires prepared for statistical study can present a generalised picture of sources of income, household expenditure, food insecurity and overall living condition of a community living in a certain loc

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Arresting climate-induced poverty
FE
Published :
Mar 27, 2025 00:11
Updated :
Mar 27, 2025 00:11

Poverty has many faces that elude common perception and even targeted survey and research. Questionnaires prepared for statistical study can present a generalised picture of sources of income, household expenditure, food insecurity and overall living condition of a community living in a certain locality. But they cannot precisely capture the variations among households such as those with children or no children including boys or girls and the ones where bread winners and members of families suffer from frequent ill health. Yet surveys and research are conducted to know some common problems facing the population of certain vulnerable groups in order to lessen their sufferings or improve their socio-economic conditions. One such survey was undertaken by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) to develop a climate-induced poverty map of vulnerable areas alongside Dhaka. The frontline vulnerable districts are Bandarban, Khulna, Rangpur and Sylhet. Why not one of the districtslike Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Barishal or Cox's Bazar was selected is beyond comprehension.

If climate vulnerability is in focus for determining its special impact on people's life in particular areas, river erosion with its repetitive devastation and unpredictability has so far remained the leading cause for human displacement. But the localised misery of people in places like Bhobodah and Keshabpur in Jassore and Khulna can far outstrip if the frequency of cyclones like Sidr, Aila and Amphan continue to ravage the coastal belts. It can also happen if the sea level rises due to an increase in temperature causing polar ice to melt abnormally. However, the study titled "Small Area Estimates of Poverty 2022: Trends and Disparities in Selected Districts, 2024" has revealed that poverty has worsened in some districts during the period between 2022 and 2024. Significantly, of the 23.11 per cent households found to wallow below the upper poverty line, rural poverty was acuter at 24.67 while urban poverty in those districts stayed at 20.43 per cent.

This is evident enough that even acuter poverty is uneven not only in different areas of the country but also in settings depending on the rural-urban divide. No wonder that in general rural areas report higher dissatisfaction about life. Against the rate of 72.96 per cent dissatisfied rural people, this rate is 64.49 per cent among urban population. This provides sociologists, economists and political leaders with crucial information about demographic constituents in order to closely collaborate for reducing or even eliminating localised or regional discriminations.

Different localities have their opportunities and distresses depending on their locations. The remote and far-flung areas have to face several adversities but if the local administration is empowered to get those areas connected to the nearest urban centres and developed on the basis of the local population's employability, their livelihood problem can be greatly addressed. In the Bengal of post-British era, each village was more or less self-sufficient— producing most of their daily necessaries, notwithstanding the absence of easy and smooth communication. Strengthening the local government and through it creation of right opportunities for the population of the locality can bring about a required change in the uneven pattern of development. This is how the rallying call of the July-August uprising for establishing a discrimination-free Bangladesh can find its authentication in practice.​

 

[Saif]

Can the govt restore Madhupur Sal Forest?

The underlying factors of deforestation must come under objective scrutiny.

www.thedailystar.net

Unsustainable forestry practices

Can the govt restore Madhupur Sal Forest?

Trees felled at Chandpur Rubber Garden in Madhupur Sal Forest on March 15, 2025. PHOTO: PHILIP GAIN

Once, I saw four workers picking pineapples from an orchard in the Madhupur Sal Forest in Tangail—a commonplace scenario. But what was surprising about the pineapple field inside the 1,076-acre Shantoshpur Rubber Garden was that all the fruits had ripened in the field. It is a common practice to spray ripening hormones after harvest. However, in this case, like in many other fields, chemical hormones were sprayed a day or two before harvest. Growth hormones were also used.

I thought the fruits would be juicy and tasty, so I bought five. However, to my great disappointment, I found four completely rotten and inedible.

In recent history, the Madhupur Sal Forest has become famous for its pineapple, banana and papaya, which are grown in place of sal and other native trees. Since last year, the Bangladesh Forest Industry Development Corporation (BFIDC) has been officially leasing forest land for growing pineapple. Rubber gardens cover 7,503 acres of the forest land. Rubber plantation began here in 1986 on the forest land that the Bangladesh Forest Department leased to BFIDC. BFIDC then established these plantations by clearing sal forest patches. However, rubber plantation is seen as a death sentence for natural forests.

The history of rubber plantation in Bangladesh is not long. BFIDC has been involved in rubber plantation since 1962. Apart from them, small rubber farmers, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB), and owners of tea gardens are also engaged in producing rubber. According to the Bangladesh Rubber Board, 140,000 acres of land across the country are used for this type of cultivation.

One thing about rubber trees is that they can produce enough latex for up to 26 years. Then, the tree becomes unproductive. It is then cut down to make way for new plantation. In Madhupur Sal Forest, 110 acres of rubber trees were felled in 2023. Another 300 acres of trees were felled in 2024. This year, too, 51,869 rubber trees covering 450 acres are being cut down.

After felling the old trees, BFIDC plants rubber saplings and leases out the land for pineapple cultivation for three years. Large amounts of growth and ripening hormones are used for these pineapples. The result is inevitable health risks.

Dr Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Tangail Forest Division, said that Madhupur has the highest number of cancer cases and disabled children in Tangail. He also said that 16 types of hormones and 16 highly toxic pesticides are used in the pineapple fields in the area.

Adding to the ecological disaster in the sal forest patches, social forestry projects have introduced exotic species such as eucalyptus and acacia on a very large scale. Social forestry is essentially a monoculture of exotic species, which has caused irreversible damage in Madhupur. After the first rotation of social forestry, the planting of eucalyptus was halted. But acacia has been massively planted throughout the forest in Madhupur and others in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, and CHT.

Under the guise of social forestry, large parts of the forest have been encroached and converted into banana and pineapple plantations. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Tangail produced 120,352 tonnes of pineapples in 2016–2017, accounting for more than half of the country's total production. The majority of this yield came from the Madhupur Sal Forest. Government data from 2017 indicates that 16,575 acres of forest land have already been converted into pineapple orchards. With rubber plantations now being repurposed for pineapple farming, the cultivated area is expected to increase even further.

Commercial banana production in Madhupur is also extensive: 1,83,615 tonnes were produced in the Dhaka division in 2016-17, according to BBS. Of this, 92,888 tonnes were produced in Tangail district alone. The Madhupur Sal Forest is the centre of the district's banana cultivation.

Research findings conclusively show how rubber monoculture and other plantations, including social forestry, initiated and carried out with funding support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, USAID and other donor agencies, have destroyed a significant part of Madhupur Sal Forest and other forests that existed for hundreds of years. ADB withdrew from the forestry sector completely in 2005. The World Bank also shrunk its investment there. However, it came back with a $175 million project—Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods (SUFAL). This is the largest forestry project in Bangladesh. The project started in 2018 and ends this year.

Lately, the officials of the Forest Department have started acknowledging that the natural forests have been extensively destroyed due to social forestry and rubber plantations. The environment adviser and the Forest Department now say that planting acacia trees in the forest land was wrong. However, they do not admit that the co-management model was responsible for the massive destruction of natural forests.

Prof Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan of Dhaka University carried out an in-depth study on co-management in five protected areas. His assessment of co-management in these places is that all stakeholders should have had equal participation in co-management. But in reality, influential local people in the co-management committees and councils influenced all the decisions. They protected their own interests more than protecting the forests.

Co-management in protecting forests is undoubtedly controversial. Is the Forest Department now talking about protecting natural forests to hide mistakes made by itself, financial institutions and bilateral donors? Surprisingly, the Forest Department does not bring into discussion the restoration of natural forest with huge funding support from the World Bank under a project that has been going on since 2018. A senior World Bank official, requesting anonymity, recently said to this author that hardly 20 percent or less of the trees planted by the Forest Department to restore natural forests have survived, an indication that restoration of natural forest even within natural stands is challenging. Is the Forest Department's stated intention to restore natural forests unrealistic, then?

"Whatever is being said about protecting forests is ad hoc," said Md Yunus Ali, former chief conservator of forests. "In Madhupur and Gazipur, a clear and long-term plan must be taken to restore the sal forest. For that, everyone must work together," he said.

I respect the goodwill of the interim government and the Forest Department. But do they not know that at a time when the programme to remove nails from trees is being celebrated (the deputy commissioner of Sherpur inaugurated this programme with the Forest Department on March 12), more than a thousand workers are cutting nearly a thousand rubber trees every day in Madhupur? And tens of thousands of rubber saplings are being raised in the BFIDC nurseries to be planted this year.

This year, trees of the third rotation social forestry plots in Tangail and Gazipur districts are being cut down. The land emptied of trees will further lose its topsoil during the rainy season. The participants of social forestry are preparing to plant acacia seedlings again.

Natural forest is a key source of safe food. Forests provide us with materials for building and repairing houses, income and employment. However, if the soil and biodiversity of the forest are destroyed, we will eventually lose our key sources of survival. Our government has introduced a plantation economy to such a great extent that the rhetoric we have been hearing from the government high-ups and the forest officials does not seem realistic anymore. If they are honest, the right strategies must be formulated, and actions with the participation of all parties must be ensured. The underlying factors of deforestation must come under objective scrutiny, and those who have committed crimes against nature under the cover of plantation projects must be held responsible and stopped. It is a difficult task, but not impossible.

Saman Saad, Fahmida Rahman, Jidit Chakma, Probin Chisim and Rubel Mondol have assisted the writer in gathering information from the field.

Philip Gain is researcher and director at the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD).​

 

[Saif]

We must save forests for our own sake

Firm action needed to stop grabbing of forestland

www.thedailystar.net

We must save forests for our own sake
Firm action needed to stop grabbing of forestland

VISUAL: STAR

It is quite disheartening that the fate of life-saving forests in our country does not change regardless of whether there is a political or non-political government in power. Somehow, influential locals and unscrupulous businesses always manage to get the backing of someone in power to destroy and loot our natural resources for their own gain. The encroachment of the reserve forest in Majher Char in Patuakhali's Rangabali is a glaring example of this.

According to a report in this daily, a local named Jewel Sikder has allegedly been expanding his fish enclosure encroaching upon the forestland. During Awami League's rule, he had its backing, and now, he is allegedly using BNP's banner although the latter has denied any affiliation. Jewel's list of alleged illegal actions includes not only felling trees to occupy deforested areas for expanding his business but also constructing a dam, digging drainage canals, and installing culverts inside the forest to facilitate water flow to his fish enclosure. Though evidence of forest grabbing was found, and an inquiry launched, no action has been taken against him yet. We hope that the inquiry process will not get stalled in bureaucratic delays, but the question remains: why did the forest officials not notice these activities beforehand? Why no action at all was taken? Surely, the dam and the culvert were not built overnight, nor could those be hidden away at will.

Unfortunately, forestland grabbing, felling trees, and illegal logging are too common all over Bangladesh. These crimes continue happening right under the noses of authorities, and often with their help. There hardly seems to be any proactive supervision or patrolling to prevent such activities. Beyond their significance in maintaining ecological balance, forests, particularly in the coastal belts, have time and again shielded local residents from the severity of devastating storms. It is beyond comprehension why anyone would want to take down these protections. We urge the authorities, including local administrations and forest officials, to take firm action so that individual greed, political shelter, negligence of duty, and bureaucratic red tape do not lead to further loss of forestland in Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Bagerhat canals in death throes

The five recorded canals of Bagerhat municipality have been encroached upon, with illegal permanent structures erected along their banks.

www.thedailystar.net

Bagerhat canals in death throes

Photo: Partha Chakrabortty

The five recorded canals of Bagerhat municipality have been encroached upon, with illegal permanent structures erected along their banks.

Once navigable and vital for drainage, these canals are now nearly dead due to encroachment, obstruction of tidal flows, and indiscriminate dumping of waste.

Residents are demanding the canals' reclamation and excavation to alleviate the suffering caused by waterlogging.

Municipal authorities admitted that over 500 illegal structures have been built along these canals, and assured that a project is in place to restore them through eviction and re-excavation.

Photo: Partha Chakrabortty

Bagerhat municipality, spanning 15.88 square kilometres, was established on April 1, 1958 and is home to over 125,000 residents.

Situated along the Bhairab river, the municipality consists of nine wards and five recorded canals. These waterways once accommodated large boats but have now turned into waste dumps.

In several areas, illegal occupiers have constructed buildings, making it impossible to recognise them as canals anymore.


The canals in question include Harikhali Canal, Harinkhana Canal, Badiar Canal, Nagerbazar Canal, and Wapda Canal.

Photo: Partha Chakrabortty

Residents allege that influential individuals have illegally occupied the canals and built multi-storey structures, leading to severe waterlogging during the monsoon. Many locals struggle to rent out their homes as streets remain submerged for weeks after rainfall, with no effective drainage system in place.

Habib Sheikh, a resident of Basabati, recalled a time when large boats traversed these canals, and locals would swim and bathe in them.

Now, the canals are all but extinct. He lamented that the inability of the canals to drain away rainwater causes severe waterlogging during the monsoon, leading to immense hardship.

Abdur Rahman of Nagerbazar said the canals have been filled up due to encroachment and indiscriminate dumping of waste, causing waterlogging in roads and houses during the rainy season.

Assistant Engineer of Bagerhat Municipality, TM Rezaul Haque Rizvi, said the municipality has five canals, many of which have been illegally occupied, with more than 500 structures built along them.

Due to the accumulation of waste, water drainage has become severely obstructed.

Rezaul said, the five canals, stretching approximately 23 kilometres, are set to be excavated under the Coastal Towns Infrastructure Improvement Project. The tendering process will soon commence to restore these canals and eliminate prolonged waterlogging.

This project is expected to cost over Tk 7.5 crore. Once implemented, it is anticipated to alleviate the suffering of municipal residents, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh at high earthquake risk, fire service issues alert

Dhaka, Ctg, Sylhet, Mymensingh most vulnerable regions, it says

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh at high earthquake risk, fire service issues alert
Dhaka, Ctg, Sylhet, Mymensingh most vulnerable regions, it says

Photo: Star

Bangladesh is facing a high risk of earthquakes similar in magnitude to those that recently struck Myanmar and Thailand.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate identified the country's Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Dhaka as the most vulnerable regions.

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale, hit various regions of Myanmar and Thailand yesterday, causing significant damage.

In an official alert issued at 11:12am today, the fire service warned that Bangladesh could experience tremors of similar intensity, particularly in high-risk zones.

The fire service urged the authorities concerned and the public to take proactive measures to mitigate earthquake risks.

It called for the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in line with the Bangladesh National Building Code 2020 and emphasised the need to strengthen or retrofit vulnerable and ageing structures.

It also stressed the importance of enhancing fire safety measures in high-rise and commercial buildings and ensuring that utility services such as gas, water, and electricity lines remain intact.

To improve preparedness, the agency recommended regular earthquake drills at personal, institutional, and community levels.

It advised that emergency contact numbers, including those of the fire service, ambulance, police, and hospitals, be clearly displayed at homes and workplaces. Additionally, it urged individuals to undergo volunteer training to play an active role during disasters.

Residents were advised to store essential emergency supplies, including torches, radios with extra batteries, whistles, hammers, helmets or cushions, dry food, clean water, medicines, first-aid kits, and baby care items, in a designated area at home.

The fire service called for collective efforts to strengthen earthquake preparedness and urged people to report any emergencies to its media cell at 01722856867, hotline 102, or through its official website.​

 

[Saif]

Our coastal communities need a climate justice plan

Bangladesh faces climate crisis: rising seas threaten 20M by 2050. Least responsible, most affected.

www.thedailystar.net

Our coastal communities need a climate justice plan

Climate justice isn’t just an ethical concept, it’s a necessity for the survival of the most vulnerable populations. FILE PHOTO: ZIAUL HAQUE OISHARJH

Last year, the United Nations issued a "red alert" for the future of the world due to the escalating impacts of climate change. The "red alert" highlighted the unprecedented record-breaking heat and extreme weather events, signalling the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. Bangladesh, being one of the most vulnerable countries, is facing the brunt of this crisis, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events threatening its coastal communities. Coastal areas are not only at risk of disappearing beneath rising seas but are also witnessing an acceleration of cyclonic activity, salinity intrusion, and the collapse of vital ecosystems. It is high time that the world, particularly the developed nations most responsible for climate emissions, recognise the necessity of climate justice for the vulnerable communities whose homes are under threat.

Bangladesh's coastal areas are particularly susceptible to the consequences of climate change. According to the Bangladesh Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Fund (BCCARF), sea level rise could displace up to 20 million people by 2050, primarily from Bangladesh's coastal zones. The World Bank's projections paint a similarly grim picture, stating that Bangladesh's coastline, home to some of the most impoverished and marginalised populations, faces devastating threats from climate-related disasters.

This catastrophe is made even more unfair by the fact that Bangladesh, with its negligible contribution to global carbon emissions, bears the heaviest toll. The irony is palpable: countries like the United States, China, and members of the European Union, who are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, are largely unaffected by the climate disasters wreaking havoc in Bangladesh's coastal regions.

Climate justice isn't just an ethical concept, it's a necessity for the survival of the most vulnerable populations. In Bangladesh, it means ensuring that those most affected by climate change, who have contributed the least to its cause, receive the support they need to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of the crisis.

Climate justice must be seen as both distributive and procedural. Distributive justice refers to the fair allocation of resources to those most in need. In the case of Bangladesh, this means ensuring that the country receives adequate climate finance to implement adaptive measures, build resilient infrastructure, and protect vulnerable populations from the escalating impacts of climate change. This financial support should be sourced from countries historically responsible for the majority of carbon emissions. These nations must not only reduce their emissions but also provide the necessary compensation to protect vulnerable nations like Bangladesh.

Procedural justice, on the other hand, demands that those most affected by climate change—especially marginalised communities, have a say in the decision-making processes surrounding climate action. In Bangladesh, women, indigenous groups, and low-income communities must be included in climate discussions at all levels, from local to international. Their voices and local knowledge are vital in creating solutions that are both effective and culturally appropriate.

To truly achieve climate justice for Bangladesh's coastal communities, we need both global and local action. At the international level, countries responsible for high emissions must fulfill their financial commitments under the Paris Agreement, ensuring that Bangladesh receives sufficient climate financing to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The funds allocated should be directed toward the most vulnerable regions, focusing on projects that prioritise both resilience and equity.

At the national level, Bangladesh must continue to strengthen its disaster management systems and promote policies that prioritise climate resilience for marginalised communities. But it is equally important to ensure that local communities are not just recipients of aid but active participants in the solution. Local adaptation strategies, such as eco-friendly agricultural practices, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and capacity-building for women and youth must be supported through targeted funding and policy interventions.

Furthermore, Bangladesh's voice must be amplified on the global stage, demanding accountability from those who have contributed the most to climate change. The country's leaders must continue to advocate for compensation and financial support, ensuring that climate justice is integrated into international climate agreements.

The urgency of climate justice for Bangladesh cannot be overstated. As one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, Bangladesh needs not just global solidarity but a fair distribution of resources to protect its people from the worst effects of climate change. It is not enough for the world to acknowledge the problem; it must take concrete action. By ensuring that climate justice is grounded in both distributive and procedural justice, we can create a future where Bangladesh's coastal communities have the resources, support, and voice they need to navigate the stormy waters ahead.

The "red alert" is a wake-up call for the world. It is time for countries responsible for the climate crisis to honour their commitments and provide the necessary support to nations like Bangladesh. Climate justice is not just a moral obligation, it is a lifeline for the millions at risk in the most vulnerable corners of the planet.

Md. Al-Mamun is researcher and social scientist at the Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD).​