Climate change costing BD 1pc of GDP, says minister

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said Thursday that the effect of climate change costing Bangladesh a large amount of money and is taking away almost one per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
 "Climate change is a burning issue for survival for all of us, our existence and future," he said.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest in a city hotel at the launching ceremony of fifth assessment report on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Bangladesh will be one of the most vulnerable countries in the world due to adverse impact of climate change, as the temperature is set to increase by 4-6 degrees Celsius within next 50 years globally, the IPCC report revealed.
The country will become one of the worst-affected South Asian nations due to global warming and increase of green house gas (GHG) in atmosphere, it said.
The Geneva-based IPCC launched the report on "IPCC's AR 5: How Bangladesh Translates Climate Change and Its Vulnerabilities."
Speaking on the occasion, the planning minister said the government is creating awareness among the people about adverse impact of climate change in the country.
If the IPCC's prediction comes true, a part of Bangladesh will be lost as the climate change consequences by next half a century.
 "We are trying to spend a certain amount of money to mitigate climate change issues every year," he said.
Since independence Bangladesh has spent over US$10 billion to mitigate climate change effects on the country, he added.
Mr Kamal called upon the international community to come forward and supplement Bangladesh government's efforts in tackling the climate change adversities.
Chaired by Member of Planning Commission Dr Shamsul Alam, the programme was also addressed by Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Dr Mesbah ul Alam and Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Md Shafiqur Rahman Patwari as special guests.
Country Engagement Leader of Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Dr SM Munjurul Hannan Khan delivered the welcome address, while joint secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury, offered vote of thanks.
Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Director CDKN Asia delivered introductory speech.
Coordinating Lead Author of IPCC AR5, Dr John Church presented the keynote paper and said due to rise of sea level, coastal systems and low-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse impacts such as inundation, coastal flooding and coastal erosion.
With rising sea levels, extreme heat, and more intense cyclones threatening food production, livelihoods and infrastructure, the warming climate will also slow the country's growth and poverty alleviation initiatives, he added.
As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Bangladesh is at risk of facing food insecurity, severe illness, increase in mortality and morbidity, loss of rural livelihood and loss of marine and coastal ecosystem, the report noted.
The country is also set to face scarcity of fresh water, rise in temperature, severe winter, rise in sea level, rapid increase of urban population.
It might face extreme weather as the consequences of climate change, which might lead to breakdown of infrastructure networks and critical services like electricity, water supply and emergency services.