Speakers at a seminar today (19 October) said that renewable energy can play a major role in meeting the challenges of environmental degradation caused by climate change.
They also said that the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, gas and coal, emits large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases, which are extremely harmful to the environment.
Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) and Pratichhabi, an organization working for the environment, jointly organized the seminar titled “What to do to deal with environmental disasters and risks caused by climate change in the development and progress of Bangladesh” at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
With President of Pratichchbi Mohammad Masudur Rahman, in the chair, the seminar was addressed by the president of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) Dr Adil Mohammad Khan, Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department at BIP SM Mustafa Al Mamun; Sharif Jamil, member secretary of Amara Raksha Dharitri; Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science Department at BRAC University M Mahbub Hossain, and Additional Secretary of the government, as well as gene scientist, Mohammad Mahfuzul Quader (Helal).
In the seminar, Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of Atmospheric Pollution Study Center (CAPS), presented the keynote speech at the seminar.
Dr Adil Mohammad Khan said that it is important to work to prevent climate change rather than talking about climate change in the current situation.
“It is up to us to change our destiny. To rebuild our new Bangladesh, we have to start from the streets. We need to change the strategy of urbanization and let the youth face the occupiers to bring about a positive change,” he added.
Prof. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar said that the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, gas and coal, emits large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases, which are extremely harmful to the environment.
He observed that the amount of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels is identified as one of the main causes of climate change.
“Therefore, renewable energy can play an important role in solving this crisis. A target has been set to reduce global carbon emissions by 90% by 2050, which can only be achieved through renewable energy”, he added.
Sharif Jamil, Member Secretary of Dharitri Rakkhay Amara (Dhara) said that the people have to understand the environment in very simple terms.
“We have to understand the climate change and also realize its adverse effects. Only then can we become an environmentalist”.
He said all the plans made about Bangladesh should be implemented and not just left as plans. We have to work to protect the coastal areas of our country from climate change.
Professor of Electric and Electronic Engineering Department SM Mostafa Al Mamun said that we are all victims of environmental disaster. We must work together to improve the way we have destroyed the environment for our own luxury.