Geopolitics plays a major role in climate change

Geopolitics and geological location of the countries play a major role in climate change and its effects on people, said experts at the 9th International Water Conference.
The two-day-long 9th International Water Conference is taking place at a hotel in Dhaka with the theme "Water, River and Climate Change: Creating Space for Resilience".
The conference laid emphasis on ten thematic areas, including understanding the nexus of climate change and rights of rivers.
Prof Imtiaz Ahmed, teacher at the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, presented the keynote paper.
"Geopolitics plays a major role in climate change. The planet-warming emissions generated during the first two months of the war in Gaza were higher than the annual carbon footprint of more than 20 of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations," he said.
Climate futures need to be mainstreamed into every area, politically, economically, educationally, psychologically, and culturally, he added.
Economist Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, "When it comes to Bangladesh, we are at the bottom of three major river systems and we have no control over water, particularly during the dry season."
"On top of it, 92 per cent of water flowing through Bangladesh comes from outside. So that's how vulnerable we are. Our coastal belts are very low as well. All these create huge challenges for the country to tackle the climate crisis," he added.
"If we come to policies and actions, we have 26 policies and laws with respect to climate change or water management enacted by various ministries, but no ministry or agency knows what the contents of the policies are," Ahmad continued.
Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury addressed the event as the chief guest.
"In Bangladesh, our first 100 days' plan includes an extensive programme to address climate change," he said, adding that it has become crucial to form a multi-stakeholder platform to find holistic solutions.
Nardia Simpson, acting High Commissioner of Australia to Bangladesh, addressing the event said, "We are working with the government in the agricultural sector and with different NGOs to improve the water governance in Bangladesh."
Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh, said, "It's just important to get women and young people involved in managing our water and rivers."
Ibrahim Khalil Al-Zayad, chairperson, ActionAid International Bangladesh Society, said, "In Bangladesh, we have over 800 rivers but we see a problem where people are dispersed from this land because of climate change."

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