30m coastal people most vulnerable to climate change

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Speakers at a press conference in the city Wednesday called for taking a holistic approach to save the coastal people of the country, who are at risk of climate change, reports BSS.brSeventeen per cent of land area and 30 million coastal people are most vulnerable to the climate change, they said quoting a report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).brThe speakers laid emphasis on the empowerment of people so that they do not need to seek foreign assistance. brThe discussants, however, urged the concerned authorities to utilise foreign aid properly to ensure access of the vulnerable people to the benefits. brThey said the number of climate-affected people is increasing day by day and thousands are becoming refugees due to sea and river erosion, flood and cyclone. brAccording to the report, they said, 8,30,000 hectares of crop land have so far been affected due to increasing salinity and salt water entering the rivers about 100-km inside the country. brMembers of NGO Coordination Council for Climate Change (NC4) arranged the press conference at the Jatiya Press Club. brPutting emphasis on mitigation and adaptation efforts to combat the climate change, they said mitigation efforts are keys to rein in the adverse effects of global warming.brBangladesh, facing long-term negative impact of climate change, would have to carry out a strong campaign to mobilise support of the international community for its survival, they said.brThey said the country's food security will be the most affected area by climate change. The production of rice will be reduced by 88 per cent and wheat by 32 per cent by 2050.brThe speakers also called for formulating a long-term action plan for Bangladesh to face the challenges of the climate change.brThe country should explore for new funds, and then combine its own resources and foreign aid to formulate the action plan which will have to be friendly both to environment and the industrialisation for sustainable development, they said.brThey suggested different steps for adaptation to the climate change.brThe measures included storage of rainwater, working out strategy for collection and preservation of water, reuse of water, removing salinity, efficiency in using water and irrigation, fixation of time of plantation, crop diversification, development of land management, checking land erosion by planting trees, development of anti-cyclone house and fishing boat, construction of embankments, development of emergency health service, prevention and identification of climate-borne diseases.