Is climate change just a gimmick as some high-profile leaders suggest?
Some powerful people think climate change is a trick. USA President Trump called it a “con job” and a “green scam”. He said the “carbon footprint” is a hoax. He believes scientists make wrong predictions. Experts say the Earth is warming very fast. This is not a future worry. It is happening right now. Each of the last four decades has been warmer than the one before it.
The “Who, What, Where, When, and Why” of our warming planet.
What: Climate change means long-term shifts in temperature and weather. Global temperatures have already risen by about 1.1°C since the mid-1800s.
Why and How: It happens because we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. This releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These gases act like a blanket around the Earth. They trap the sun’s heat.
When: This started during the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1700s. The warming has become much faster since 1900.
Who: Humans are responsible for almost all global heating over the last 200 years. Six big areas produce half of the world’s emissions. These are China, the USA, India, the EU, Russia, and Indonesia.
Counting the cost: How climate change hits our wallets.
Climate change is very bad for the economy. In the past and present, droughts have harmed food production. Floods destroy roads, bridges, and buildings. Extreme heat makes workers sick. This limits how much work they can do. It lowers the productivity of the whole economy. In the future, things will get worse. Sea levels are rising fast. Some coastal communities could be underwater by the year 2100. Moving to these cities will be very expensive. Doing nothing now will cost much more than taking action.
BELA’s battle against hill cutting: Legal steps and the “organized circles” involved.
BELA is taking action to save nature in Cox’s Bazar. They sent letters to 12 government officials. They want to stop people from cutting down hills in Rumu. BELA is using a 2012 High Court order. This order bans hill cutting in five districts. It says illegal buildings on hills must be destroyed. “Organized local circles” are the ones destroying the hills. They cut the hills to build houses and brick kilns. These groups keep cutting even when they are fined or sued.
From the State House to the Street: What can the government and the “aam-jonota” do?
The government must lead the way. They can switch from fossil fuels to clean energy like solar and wind. They must invest in new technology and stronger infrastructure. Governments of rich countries should also help poorer countries go green. The “aam-jonota” or common people also have a role. Everyone must take climate action. We can learn how to prepare for climate risks through education. People can join climate projects in their own local communities. We must reduce emissions to zero as fast as possible to avoid the worst.