World must act fast against climate threats
Says Indian environmentalist
Countries across the world are required to act fast against climate threats, as peoples see climate changes happening frequently, says Indian environmentalist Sunita Narain.
“The time for soft talks is over; drastic action is needed. We really need to move ahead,” she said.
The greenhouse gas emission continues rising in the rich world and few of the countries made small cut in the emission, said Sunita. “They have to reduce the gas emission extensively.”
Sunita Narain, director for Centre for Science and Environment, India, was giving her keynote address on the second day of a symposium tilted “Imagining another future for Asia: Ideas and pathways for change” organised by Asian University for Women (AUW) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city yesterday.
Taking a glass as an example, she said the rich countries over the years of pollution have filled the glass with emission.
“From the year 1950 to 2000, the USA added the cumulative emission of 30 percent of the glass while Europe contributed 30 percent and China nine percent.”
Now, she said, the big challenge is how the rich countries reduce the emission to have a sustainable growth.
“It's time to stop the kindergarten approach-- 'you go first, I go first'. We need an agreement based on equity.”
Talking about adaptation, she said, “We need to have adequate funding to have sufficient adaptation strategies.”
“It must come as payment to the victims,” she said. “We need to argue with the world to sign a contract to pay us for adaptation which is our right.”
But, it cannot be forgotten that adaptation is not a science, it is development with inclusiveness and sustainability, Sunita said, adding that the developing countries have to fight and secure the right to development.
Moreover, climate change is not just about fund; it is fundamentally about politics and the politicians must act proactively, she said.
She said the change in the climate order has given an opportunity to rethink and redesign the country without pollution.
Sunita urged Bangladesh to continue its proactive leadership role for arguing its right to development.
State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahumud said human beings with their irresponsible actions in the name of development have put the earth at risk.
“Bangladesh is contributing nothing, but the country will be the worst victim.”
Mentioning that the global military expenditure was around $1,500 billion, he said, “We are spending money to fight with each other, but we are not spending money to save our world.”
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