২৩শে নভেম্বর, ২০২৪ খ্রিস্টাব্দ
সংস্করণ:
On April 22, 1970, Earth Day was celebrated for the first time in the United States with the aim of emphasizing environmental protection. A far-sighted man, Bangabandhu witnessed the horrors of 1970 cyclone. Postponing the election campaign, he rushed to Manpura in Bhola. More than 5 lakh people died in the cyclone. In early November 1973, when Bangladesh Meteorological Department predicted that the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal would turn into a cyclone, Bangabandhu ordered extensive preparations.
Even the innocent nature of this country has not escaped from the hands of Pakistani brutality. Those invaders have indiscriminately destroyed the crops from the plants. Bangabandhu started the program of planting trees along the highway. He called upon the people of the country to plant trees on their land, around their houses and on uncultivated land.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman realized that natural forests are needed to protect the full balance of the environment and protect it from the harmful effects of climate change. Moreover, he was the first to start afforestation in the coastal areas which in the 21st century has received global recognition as one of Bangladesh’s most commendable initiatives in the fight against climate change.
Daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Hasina adopted a hundred-year master plan for the full use and benefit of the very hot topic Blue Economy. And also the Father of the Nation formulated policies to conserve the seas, rivers and reservoirs of the country immediately after independence.
Another major component of the environment is biodiversity. Many national and international organizations are currently working on endangered species, including our national animal, the Royal Bengal Tiger. In 1974, Bangabandhu formulated the ‘Wildlife Conservation Act’ to protect wildlife. Despite the financial crisis, Bangabandhu started dredging the river. However, there is hope, Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced the Centenary Delta Plan or ‘Delta Plan 2100’ and has started the implementation of some short- and medium-term initiatives.
Such a visionary leader, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu, has been vocal in international forums about the harmful effects of climate change as a result of carbon emissions by industrial-rich countries. In 2023 International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations-Global Center for Climate Mobility recently awarded Sheikh Hasina the Asia Climate Mobility Champion Leader Award in recognition of her leadership and vocal voice in addressing the harmful effects of global climate change.
In 2024 at the opening ceremony of NAP Expo and Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership , Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged to spend money on climate change instead of spending money on war. At this time, the Prime Minister presented several proposals, like : major carbon-emitting countries must take effective action to reduce their emissions to keep global temperature rise to within one and a half degrees Celsius.
Bangladesh has formulated the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) in 2023. It aims to move from vulnerability to resilience and from resilience to prosperity by addressing the adverse effects of climate change. In addition, the MCPP emphasizes on the self-motivated participation of local people in adaptation and mitigation activities, nature-based solutions and the participation of all members of the society.
According to a United Nations report, 80% of those displaced by climate change are women. BBC reported, women in a family are usually responsible for preparing food and taking care of other members, making it more difficult for them to sustain the family during flood or drought happens.
The Rio+20 conference recognized the need to remove barriers and increase the presence of women in leadership to our desired future – the full and inclusive participation of women in decision-making and management. A report on gender balance between the UNFCCC and national delegations noted that ‘the challenge of climate change cannot be met without women’s empowerment’ and that women are marginalized in international agreements. The report’s data shows women’s underrepresentation in UNFCCC institutions, including the Adaptation Committee (25 per cent), GEC Councils (19 per cent) and Expert Groups (15 per cent) and overall appointments, with 20 per cent as heads of delegations. Women and UNFCCC meetings are less than 30 percent of women representatives.
In developing countries, the government of Bangladesh has taken a multi-dimensional approach to adaptation for all girls and children, starting from food production agriculture to energy or water harvesting or women in natural disasters. There are 76 thousand volunteers in Bangladesh to deal with disasters. Number 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals states that urgent measures should be taken to deal with climate change in least developed countries and developing island states, including rights over women, youth, local and marginalized populations.
Women and climate change are one and inseparable. Women have a greater impact on the environment, as women are more dependent on nature than men. However, many laws and policies have been enacted at the national and international levels to consider the impact of climate change. Notable among these are the Rio Declaration 1992 on environment and development. The principle number 20 of this declaration talks about the important role of women in environmental management and development. Article 10 (c) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Biochemical Pollutants (POPs) 2001 calls for the formulation and implementation of educational and public awareness programs on POPs, especially for women, children and the less educated population.
The Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 states that, recognizing the desire to share equitably the benefits arising from the discovery and practice of traditional knowledge related to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the important role of women in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, The Convention was adopted in recognition of the need for the full participation of women at all levels of conservation policy-making and implementation.
Article 5 (d) and 10 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 1994 states that Parties are obliged to ensure the participation of women in all programs of national action plans to combat desertification and reduce drought. At the 1995 Beijing Fourth Women’s Conference, several strategies were adopted to ensure women’s participation. In short, women’s participation in the protection of environmental justice around the world has been particularly motivated. Constitution of Bangladesh, Disaster Management Act 2012, Forest Policy 1994, Food Policy 2006, Water Policy 1999 etc. have emphasized on the relationship between women and environment.
In addition, the Bangladesh Climate Change and Gender Action Plan 2013 states that women are the primary victims of the adverse effects of climate change, so that women can play an effective role in adaptation and mitigation. Environmental scientist Diana Liverman said, ‘Women make up half of the world’s population. Therefore, women must be given the opportunity to participate at all levels of climate change discussions. Because climate change is not a struggle for power, it is a struggle for survival.’’ The great man, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was far ahead of his time was able to realize in his wisdom that the main wealth of Bangladesh is its fertile nature and animal diversity. Many years before the slogan ‘Plant trees, save the environment’, the father of the nation started the tree plantation campaign on his own initiative. In 1972, he greened Ganobhaban, Bangabhaban and government institutions.
On the otherhand, the role of women is essential in environmental management ,development and the impact of climate change. Active participation of women in various short and long-term projects and programs for sustainable development and environmental protection in the fourth industrial revolution will ensure a beautiful future. Because we believe that ‘ One Earth Care and Share.’
Author : Afroza Nice Rima; Deputy-Project Director, Press Information Department, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
(PID Feature)
