Addressing environmental issues on priority basis
Monday, 15 December 2008
Naimul Hasan
ENVIRONMENTAL problems could further strain overpopulated Bangladesh struggling for survival. Climate change is bound to put an extra economic burden on Bangladesh. The developed countries would also be affected by climate change in varying degrees. However, these countries, possessing wealth and expertise are better poised to face the challenge.
But countries like Bangladesh would need international support to mitigate their losses. Bangladesh was late in paying attention to the environmental catastrophe it would have to face due to irresponsible actions of other countries. Internationally, the environmental threat to developing countries like Bangladesh, has been recognized. Now, there is greater awareness among the developed countries about the need to cut down greenhouse gas emission. They are agreeable to assist the developing countries, which would be adversely affected, cope with climate change. The last session of the United Nations General Assembly ( UNGA) was devoted largely to the issue of climate change. And the latest meeting of the European leaders has also been encouraging, in its outcome. The moves for drastically cutting down emission of greenhouse gases, mobilisation of an international fund to help the poor and developing countries to cope with climate change are now under active consideration of the UN and the developed countries. The developing countries need transfer of technology and technical assistance for the purpose.
Bangladesh ought to make it a top priority area in its foreign policy to be closely associated with the international moves. It should play a proactive role to minimize the dangers to it and other developing countries. It should also draw up its a comprehensive plan of action against climatic change, keeping aside the resources to implement it.
The UN-sponsored programme could be combined with the national plan to mobilise the resources from the international fund to tackle climate change. But it is crucial to take up the issue seriously without wasting time. The foreign ministry must give up its usual lethargy to do the needful. The highest governmental authority must pay attention to the issue.
All industries and enterprises in the country must be obliged to set up and run effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Now new enterprise should not be allowed to be set up if these do not simultaneously build and operate ETPs. Bangladesh should adopt a comprehensive policy to protect the environment. The relevant ministry and departments under it must be enlarged and strengthened to enforce the policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL problems could further strain overpopulated Bangladesh struggling for survival. Climate change is bound to put an extra economic burden on Bangladesh. The developed countries would also be affected by climate change in varying degrees. However, these countries, possessing wealth and expertise are better poised to face the challenge.
But countries like Bangladesh would need international support to mitigate their losses. Bangladesh was late in paying attention to the environmental catastrophe it would have to face due to irresponsible actions of other countries. Internationally, the environmental threat to developing countries like Bangladesh, has been recognized. Now, there is greater awareness among the developed countries about the need to cut down greenhouse gas emission. They are agreeable to assist the developing countries, which would be adversely affected, cope with climate change. The last session of the United Nations General Assembly ( UNGA) was devoted largely to the issue of climate change. And the latest meeting of the European leaders has also been encouraging, in its outcome. The moves for drastically cutting down emission of greenhouse gases, mobilisation of an international fund to help the poor and developing countries to cope with climate change are now under active consideration of the UN and the developed countries. The developing countries need transfer of technology and technical assistance for the purpose.
Bangladesh ought to make it a top priority area in its foreign policy to be closely associated with the international moves. It should play a proactive role to minimize the dangers to it and other developing countries. It should also draw up its a comprehensive plan of action against climatic change, keeping aside the resources to implement it.
The UN-sponsored programme could be combined with the national plan to mobilise the resources from the international fund to tackle climate change. But it is crucial to take up the issue seriously without wasting time. The foreign ministry must give up its usual lethargy to do the needful. The highest governmental authority must pay attention to the issue.
All industries and enterprises in the country must be obliged to set up and run effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Now new enterprise should not be allowed to be set up if these do not simultaneously build and operate ETPs. Bangladesh should adopt a comprehensive policy to protect the environment. The relevant ministry and departments under it must be enlarged and strengthened to enforce the policy.