Climate change is set to become a major economic threat, with the World Bank projecting that it could reduce Bangladesh's GDP by up to 9 per cent by 2050. The agricultural sector faces an existential crisis due to rising sea levels and increased salinity intrusion, which endanger both crops and fisheries. But the impact extends far beyond farms and coastlines. As global temperatures rise, labour productivity is expected to plummet, posing a severe threat to a nation where nearly 60 per cent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture and industry.
The government must take immediate action to regulate industries, particularly factories that improperly dispose of waste. Unchecked industrial practices significantly contribute to both air and water pollution-two major drivers of climate change. How can we build a sustainable future when industries are allowed to pollute the environment at their sweet will? Moreover, the rising levels of pollution are contributing to the growing health crisis in the country, with respiratory diseases, heat-related illnesses, and waterborne diseases on the rise. The burden of these illnesses disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, further deepening social inequality.
As citizens, we must ask ourselves: How are we supposed to live in a country with ever-rising temperatures and suffocating pollution? How can people step outside, let alone work, when extreme heat threatens their health with the constant risk of heat strokes? How will middle- and lower-income households-dependent on jobs that cannot be performed from home-survive under such conditions?
What kind of future are we creating for our children if we fail to act now?
The government must integrate climate considerations into all aspects of economic planning, including stricter regulations on industrial waste management. The private sector must step up efforts to develop climate-smart solutions, and future generations must be educated on the urgency of climate action.
A robust recycling infrastructure is essential for managing Bangladesh's 80,000 tonnes of daily waste. To achieve this, recycling plants must be established to promote sustainable practices that will benefit both the present and future generations.
The clock is ticking. Every year of inaction amplifies the economic toll. With foresight, innovation, and collective will, we can reverse this trajectory and secure a thriving future for Bangladesh. But we must act now. Ask yourself, what role you will play in this crucial fight for our nation's future
Ayesha Islam
Student
North South University
ayesha.islam@gmail.com
