Global warming
Among the real concerns of the after-effect of the Sidr hurricane, the political turmoil, the price hike of essentials and the misdeeds of the ex-politicians, most people tend to forget that we, mankind, are at the end of our current pattern of growth and so called civilisation.
Global warming is real and is here. And while the developed world is busy finding ways to cut down the carbon footprint of their countries and individuals, is it not time for Bangladesh to think laterally too for a change and NOT follow the normal course of events in the development game? Should we really be thinking about more ways to use energies? And how do we fulfil that demand for energy we burn more of the world's fossil fuel. Thus we contribute towards the net Global Warming, helping to bring about the 'Keyamot' the day of reckoning as predicted.
It is estimated that when (not if) the icecaps melt at the present rate, the sea level will be rise by 7 to 8 metres. Most of Bangladesh is only around 2 metres above the current sea level ? Therefore it does not take a genius to work out that most of Bangladesh will become part of the Bay of Bengal. It is also very likely that Sidr is perhaps a wake up call. And what about the Metro System (?) well we have yet to invent a Metro System that floats.
I think the solution to the current congestion problem of Dhaka, and remember Dhaka is not the whole of Bangladesh, just the capital, ought to be brought about by some lateral thinking. Our scholars are quite capable of producing the right solutions for us. I suspect there might be de-centralisation of the government, congestion charges for the city centres, and bringing back the good old rickshaws are a few of the many possibilities who knows!
Even the mighty Americans (20% of the earth's net energy consumers and thus polluters) are said to be alarmed at last about Global Warming. Thank God!
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