Experts think youths should come forward to protect the environment
By Zeba Tarunnum
Experts believe, if the youth of the country become vocal from their respective positions in protecting the environment, then the ecology can be recovered. The speakers expressed these views at a webinar organized by the Climate change programme – BRAC.
As a chief guest of the webinar, Dr. Salimul Haque, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, said, although there is a law to protect the environment and ecology in Bangladesh, it is not obeyed.
Youth should pay attention to every aspect causing destruction and ruining the environment around them, and inform the concerned responsible organization.
Calling the youth to be vocal, Mirza Shawkat Ali, director of the Department of Environment (Bangladesh), said, a young Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg, who has become a symbol of the climate change movement showed young people, can make many differences if they want. If we also support the Bangladeshi youth, then many Greta Thunberg will appear here too.
Rakibul Hasan Mukul, Executive Director of Arannayk Foundation, said, “For the sake of economic development if the Ecosystem is destroyed then it will make more loss than profit. Again, it will also be irrational to talk only about protecting the ecosystem. Because we have to think about the needs of the people depending on it. Therefore, unanimity among the concerned can only bring success regarding this.
Various university students and development and research organization’s young staff exchanged their views in the webinar.
Anushree Ghosh, a Young researcher, said, by constructing a road through the Chalan Beel, the rich ecosystem has been hampered. Before adopting any future development plan, the environmental damage should be considered.
While speaking as the President, Dr. Md. Liaquat Ali, Director of BRAC Climate Change Program, said, half of global GDP depends on nature. Equivalent to US$30 benefit can be got by investing US$1 in ecological recovery. Ecological recovery can make an important contribution in achieving 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty and hunger eradication.
Referring to the UN’s data he said, 3.2 billion people in the world are already affected by the destruction of the ecosystem. If the ecological degradation’s current trend continues, global GDP will face a loss of one trillion US dollars by 2050. The world’s agricultural production will fall by 12% and food prices will rise by 30%, by 2040.
He added, we have to be vocal in time. In addition, the youth will be able to play an alternative role regarding this.
