🇧🇩 Save the Rivers/Forests/Hills-----Save the Environment (2 Viewers)

[Saif]

Pollution, encroachment: Bangshi river dying slowly

The once-vibrant Bangshi River in Jamalpur is slowly dying. Merchants once navigated its waters on large boats, but now, the three-kilometre stretch within Jamalpur municipality barely resembles a three-meter-wide canal before merging with the Brahmaputra

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Pollution, encroachment: Bangshi river dying slowly

The once-vibrant Bangshi River in Jamalpur is slowly dying. Merchants once navigated its waters on large boats, but now, the three-kilometre stretch within Jamalpur municipality barely resembles a three-meter-wide canal before merging with the Brahmaputra.

Illegal encroachment, pollution, and unchecked siltation have led to its decline.

In 2007, local authorities began demarcating the river's land and excavating it to reduce waterlogging. However, the river was soon filled with garbage dumped by residents.

"Whenever it rains, our houses flood with dirty water as the river can no longer drain it away. The bad odour from the river is a constant nuisance. The municipality should take urgent steps to clean the river," said Aminul Sheikh, a resident of Dayamayi area.

"The river has become a canal over the years due to illegal land grabbing. Now it is filled with garbage and serves as a mosquito breeding ground. The municipality should clean up the waterbody and excavate it to prevent waterlogging and improve the environment," said Jahangir Selim, president of the Jamalpur District Environment Protection Movement.

Mayor Mohammad Sanowar put the onus on the local residents for the river's plight.

"We repeatedly try to prevent residents from throwing waste into the water body. Mass awareness needs to be raised," he said.​

 

[Saif]

Air pollution linked to 135m premature deaths globally: study

Pollution from man-made emissions and other sources like wildfires have been linked to around 135 million premature deaths worldwide between 1980 and 2020, a Singapore university said yesterday.

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Air pollution linked to 135m premature deaths globally: study

Pollution from man-made emissions and other sources like wildfires have been linked to around 135 million premature deaths worldwide between 1980 and 2020, a Singapore university said yesterday.

Weather phenomena like El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole worsened the effects of these pollutants by intensifying their concentration in the air, Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) said, unveiling the results of a study led by its researchers.

The tiny particles called particulate matter 2.5, or "PM 2.5", are harmful to human health when inhaled because they are small enough to enter the bloodstream.​

 

[Saif]

What will happen when the 'Doomsday Glacier' disintegrates?

As climate change drives global temperatures ever higher, glaciers and ice sheets will inevitably melt.

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What will happen when the 'Doomsday Glacier' disintegrates?

The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is seen in this undated NASA image. Photo: Reuters

Punishing heatwaves is not the only measure of global climate change that is undergoing an abnormally rapid change. Numerous other indicators, such as violent storms, long-lasting droughts, devastating floods, raging wildfires, and permafrost thawing, among others, suggest a more general global warming trend. An indicator that does not get much attention but will nevertheless have reverberating effects across the globe is the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in Antarctica.

As climate change drives global temperatures ever higher, glaciers and ice sheets in the polar and mountainous regions will inevitably melt. According to a paper published in Nature Climate Change (June 2020), Antarctica has warmed at over three times the global rate since 1989. As a result, glaciers in Antarctica, which contain about 90 percent of all the ice on Earth, are flowing into the oceans where they melt and raise the sea level. From 1979 to 1989, some 40 billion tonnes of glacial ice in Antarctica melted each year. A study published in 2019 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that the amount jumped to 252 billion tonnes each year starting in 2009.

Since 1880, global sea levels have risen roughly 23 centimetres. Over the past decade, the sea level is rising at a much faster rate of 3.9 millimetres per year, as measured by NASA's satellite-based radar altimeters. The rise is mostly due to a combination of water melting from glaciers and ice sheets, as well as thermal expansion of seawater as it warms.

Scientists are particularly concerned about Thwaites Glacier, a massive block of ice in West Antarctica, approximately the size of Florida. It is nicknamed the "Doomsday Glacier" because if it were to collapse and melt, it could single-handedly cause global sea levels to rise by as much as 65 centimetres. As one of the fastest melting glaciers currently losing 50 billion tonnes of ice annually, Thwaites already accounts for four percent (0.15 millimetre) of the planet's sea level rise. In the 1990s, it was losing just over 10 billion tonnes of ice a year.

When all the glaciers in Antarctica will melt, sea level will rise some 70 metres, according to the US Geological Survey. Moreover, if the rest of the glaciers on Earth melts too, 7.6 metres will be added on top of Antarctica's drastic total, wiping out most of the low-lying countries in the world, while in urban settings along coastlines, it will threaten infrastructure vital for local jobs and regional industries.

The coastal edge of Thwaites that interacts with the ocean stretches 120 kilometres, while its thickness from bedrock to surface measures between 800 metres and 1,200 metres. A platform of ice called an ice shelf that floats above the Pine Island Bay acts as a brace, holding this frosty goliath back on the land, thereby slowing its journey to the sea. Thwaites also acts as a natural dam to the surrounding ice in West Antarctica and hence provides an important defence against the sea-level rise.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Keep trees, greenery intact during development projects: BAPA

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon today urged authorities concerned to plan and implement development projects while keeping existing trees and greenery intact as much as possible

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Keep trees, greenery intact during development projects: BAPA

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon today urged authorities concerned to plan and implement development projects while keeping existing trees and greenery intact as much as possible.

It also demanded immediate action to recover and protect waterbodies and the creation of a "blue network" connecting waterbodies with rivers to improve the livability of cities.

Bapa organised a discussion on the importance of the environment in sustainable urbanisation and unveiled a proposal booklet at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

Bapa Vice President and Architect Iqbal Habib presented the main article while scholars and activists discussed how to ensure sustainable urbanisation, focusing on waterbodies, greenery, open spaces, playing fields, and air and sound pollution.

Discussants proposed a tree census and a database of roadside trees to control tree felling in the name of development-related activities. They also proposed a policy to ensure tree plantation, maintenance, and urban forestry.

"Due to encroachment and pollution, Dhaka's waterbodies and greenery have decreased alarmingly. The city authorities should take effective action to restore and safeguard the waterbodies. Before taking any development project, a proper Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Mitigation Plan must be done and stakeholders should be informed about these," said Iqbal Habib.

Ishrat Islam, professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Buet, said, "The city corporation is responsible for protecting canals and waterbodies. We may still have time to save the existing ones. The scenario outside Dhaka is almost similar and needs special attention too."

"Assessment and accountability are needed from those who are responsible for saving the environment. An evaluation of their performances can be helpful," Prof Ishrat added.

Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, joint secretary of Bapa, said uncontrolled construction works and unfit vehicles are responsible for air and sound pollution in Dhaka.

He stressed short, mid and long-term plans to improve the situation.

Speakers also demanded protection of agricultural lands and maximum use of non-agricultural lands.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/environment/fy25-budget-allocation-for-climate-finance-inadequate-say-experts

FY25 budget allocation for climate finance inadequate, say experts
Published :
Jun 13, 2024 21:42
Updated :
Jun 13, 2024 21:42

Despite formulating long-term plans like the Centenary Delta Plan to tackle climate change, Bangladesh's annual budget allocations remain insufficient for effective implementation, experts said at a seminar on Thursday.

They made the remark during a seminar titled "Independent Climate Finance Inevitable for Sustainable Development" organised by EquityBD, AOSED, CLEAN, CSRL, and COAST Foundation at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity. The event was presided over by Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmad and moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, according to a press release.

Abul Hasan of Coast Foundation presented the keynote, with three major demands for climate finance: allocating at least 3.0 per cent of GDP to climate finance to reduce reliance on foreign loans and protect vulnerable populations; prioritising the National Strategy Paper on Displacement Management in the climate finance framework; and ensuring local needs-based allocations separate from traditional embankment construction funds for coastal protection.

Hasan Mehdi of CLEAN pointed out the disparity between the national five-year plan's target of achieving 10 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and the current achievement of only 3.0 per cent.

Ziaul Haque Mukta from CSRL stressed the need for regional plans to address local climate impacts, stating that national plans are inadequate for regional-specific issues.

Dr. Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmad noted that although the National River Protection Commission has identified river encroachers, it lacks the enforcement power to take action against them.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said Bangladesh could follow the success of community-involved embankment maintenance models in Bhola and Charfashion.​

 

[Saif]

Work begins to breathe life into dying Ichamati

The long-awaited project to rejuvenate the Ichamati river began under the supervision of Bangladesh Army, bringing joy to the people of Pabna

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Work begins to breathe life into dying Ichamati

The long-awaited project to rejuvenate the Ichamati river began in early June under the supervision of Bangladesh Army, bringing joy to the people of Pabna.

The Water Development Board (WDB) initiated the "Rejuvenating River Ichamati" project with a budget of Tk 1554.90 crore.

"We have started dredging operations in the Madhpur-Jagannathpur area of Santhia upazila, Pabna, under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army Engineering Division," said Shudhangshu Kumar Sarkar, project director of the Ichamati project.

This three-year project involves dredging 110km of waterways. This includes 33.772km of the main river, 44.072 km of connecting canals, 20 km of the Sutikhali River, and 12.37 km of Varara Canal to restore water flow.

Sarkar, who is also the superintendent engineer of WDB Pabna, added, "Dredging of the main river will be conducted first, and then other works will begin."

In addition to dredging, the project includes constructing a 10-km retaining wall, 10 km of drainage, 23 new bridges, 56 ghats for boat parking, and a 10-km walkway. The project also plans to plant 42,310 trees along the riverbanks for beautification.

A visit to the Madhpur-Jagannathpur area a few days ago revealed rapid progress in the dredging work.

The 82-kilometer-long Ichamati River, which originates from the Padma River and reaches Hurasagar in Bera upazila, flows through the district headquarters of Pabna. However, it has been severely affected by rampant encroachment and pollution over the decades.

"The people of Pabna have been striving to protect the Ichamati River, essential to their livelihoods," said SM Mahabubul Alom, founder of Ichamati Rokhkha Andolon.

"We want proper dredging of the Ichamati according to the CS map for rejuvenating the river," he added.

After the project was approved in the ECNEC meeting last October, the work was handed over to the Army Engineering Division, according to WDB.

Encroachers have occupied land forging documents in their names over the past few decades. The WDB has identified 1053 illegal structures on the Ichamati . Encroachers have filed a series of cases, with 73 cases still pending in court.

"Ichamati will be dredged according to the CS map, and illegal structures will be removed as per court directions," said Md Mosharaf Hossain, assistant director of WDB Pabna.​

 

[Saif]

Major brands join forces to decarbonise Bangladesh’s fashion industry

Some of the world’s biggest fashion brands such as like Gap Inc, H&M Group, Mango, and Bestseller have joined forces to participate in an initiative to decarbonise the fashion sector in Bangladesh.

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Major brands join forces to decarbonise Bangladesh's fashion industry

Some of the world's biggest fashion brands such as like Gap Inc, H&M Group, Mango, and Bestseller have joined forces to participate in an initiative to decarbonise the fashion sector in Bangladesh.

The Future Supplier Initiative offers a collective financing model to support decarbonisation in the apparel sector, according to a statement from H&M.

It is facilitated by non-profit The Fashion Pact in partnership with brand and manufacturer platform Apparel Impact Institute, consultancy firm Guidehouse and Singaporean DBS Bank.

Decarbonisation is the process of reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from processes such as manufacturing.

Future Supplier Initiative estimates that 99 percent of total fashion brand emissions occur in the supply chain.

It aims to accelerate the transition to net zero by sharing the financial risks and responsibilities of transitioning to renewable energy sources in garment and textile factories alongside their suppliers.

The initiative is a brand-agnostic mechanism that will develop and finance projects to support both brands and suppliers to meet their "Science Based Targets" (SBTs) and stay within the 1.5 degree trajectory.

The 1.5-degree trajectory is a specific goal outlined in the context of global efforts to address climate change, with the aim being to limit global warming to an increase of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

To this end, a combination of technical support and financial incentives will be used to help overcome the barriers that prevent many factories from adopting electrification and renewable energy solutions.

"The cost of inaction on climate change is unaffordable," said Eva von Alvensleben, executive director and secretary general of The Fashion Pact, according to a statement from H&M on June 13.

"If the fashion sector is to meet its goals and transform its supply chain, we urgently need to address the gap between ambition and action," she said.

"No business alone can solve this challenge, but by sharing the costs, risks and responsibilities of the transition to renewable energy, we can build an ecosystem of solutions and kickstart a new era of change," she added.

The H&M statement added that achieving significant emission reductions would mean that suppliers may need to adopt a range of energy-efficient technologies and processes, as well as transitioning to renewable energy sources, often with lengthy payback periods that can take decades.

This deters many suppliers from embracing electrification and renewable energy solutions, hindering progress towards decarbonisation goals.

To help accelerate progress and bridge these gaps, the Future Supplier Initiative aims to reduce the cost for suppliers by working with fashion brands to decrease the cost of capital for loans that can accelerate decarbonisation.

Alongside financial incentives, technical support will be provided to help suppliers identify and implement low-carbon technologies and solutions.

Baselining and monitoring emission reductions will also be conducted to demonstrate the impact of projects financed and implemented by the initiative.

The initiative seeks to identifying common factory units, interventions and costs and match projects with the highest potential for impact.

"At Bestseller, we are working intensively to improve our climate footprint," said Anders Holch Povlsen, owner and CEO of Bestseller.

"We have largely managed to tackle our direct emissions, but it is clear that emissions in our value chain require ambitious efforts on a scale that calls for innovative, joint solutions," he said.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​