The winter perhaps took umbrage and was unwilling to make a statement of its own in this predominantly tropical part of the world. But on the concluding day of Poush, one of the two wintry months on Bangla calendar, it had reserved its parting kick for the citizens of Basngladesh. A cold-wave spell -from mild to severe -swept across the country from the evening of the last day of Poush. The weathermen predicted the cold wave to continue for a few days. As usual their prediction remained unsubstantiated. Once again, the chill is missing.
Why was the winter hesitant to announce its arrival on the Gangetic plane? All because a sustained low was created in the Bay of Bengal and under its influence a large geographic area here could resist the invasion of north-western Siberian winter. The low in the Bay fizzled for less than a week and the chill made its way. Whether yet another cold spell will be there for a tryst with the land is yet to be known, though.
This unusual shift in weather pattern is however not unique to this region alone, Europe is experiencing heavy snow and extreme wintriness. So severe is the cold in Britain, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and the Balkans that deaths of several people in many of those countries have been reported. Changes in ocean temperature have, once again, been blamed for this cold spell in Europe.
In turmoil, weather is set to cause unprecedented havoc on life and livelihoods of people all over the world. Climate scientists and experts warned of such a consequence long ago. But politicians particularly in the richest countries did not pay heed to this warning. Former US President George Bush brushed aside the issue although Democratic candidate Al Gore was a staunch campaigner of a Green Earth. The latter's defeat in a manner like that of Hillary Clinton was indeed a blow to climate deal then. Now Trump taking over the most powerful seat in the world unfolds the spectre of yet another snub at the Paris Climate deal achieved after strenuous deliberations.
Whatever happens as a consequence of Trump's assumption of power, the fact remains that poor countries like Bangladesh with their geographic vulnerability will have to brace for harder days. This year's warmer days during the winter do not necessarily mean the country will be host to similar weather every year. Capricious as it is. the weather may be more unpredictable with global warming. Whoever could think of heavy rain causing floods in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh at one point and snowfall in the Sahara desert at another time! In Europe snowfalls are not uncommon but when Mediterranean beaches are all covered up by thick snows and Venice lakes freeze, there are reasons to be alarmed.
If the tropical nature of this country turns a little cooler, though, not many people will complain. But certainly snowy cold will not be welcome. On the contrary, if it becomes hotter still, people will abhor the development. A little cooler environment will help people preserve their energy and make them more productive but if it is hotter, it will sap energy and they will tire before they can give a good account of themselves in their output of work.
So, the country should pray for a colder Bangladesh instead of a warmer one. But can the abnormal weather pattern be an indication of something ominous for human civilisation. Is this the beginning of an age of annihilation of the mankind on this planet? Doomsayers have long been hoisting the danger signal. Even the greatest scientist of this age, Stephen Hawking is predicting the end of the human race. But his is a calculation that does not prompt people to be unduly concerned now. It will be a long time before the end comes. But can such an eventuality be not staved off? If human brains are any indication, they have power enough to come up with invention that will perhaps be able to cause the miracle happen.
Already some success in harnessing energy source nothing to do with carbon release in the environment is giving a positive indication. If no fossil fuel is burnt after, say, 20 or 50 years from now, there is every chance for the Earth to recuperate from the rise in temperature. Such a prospect cannot be ruled out. The pace of invention should make everyone optimistic of such a development. There indeed lies the secret of survival of this species and other living organisms.
