Discussion meeting on Collaborative Efforts to Combat Climate Change Impacts in Coastal Regions

Date: 06 Jun, 2024

Venue: Nogor Bhaban

On World Environment Day 2024, a discussion meeting in Khulna brought together representatives from civil society, political spheres, academia, and national and international development organizations to emphasize the need for coordinated efforts to address Khulna's climate risks. The event, organized jointly by Khulna City Corporation, Climate Justice Forum – Khulna District, and AOSED, was chaired by Honorable Mayor of Khulna City  Corporation Mr. Talukdar Abdul Khaleque, and moderated by WHO Program Officer, Asif Ahmed.

Dr. Tushar Kanti Roy of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology highlighted global land degradation and its negative impacts on Bangladesh, proposing solutions like sustainable urban planning and coastal zone management.

 

 

Dr. Mujibur Rahman from Khulna University underscored the importance of mangroves for coastal conservation and community survival. The Climate Justice Forum recommended various environmental protection measures for Khulna, including urban greening, energy-efficient buildings, and climate-resilient agriculture.

 

The Climate Justice Forum – Khulna District put forward several recommendations for Khulna's environmental protection, including urban greening, constructing energy-efficient buildings, creating livable cities with more parks and open spaces, mangrove conservation, climate-resilient agricultural development, reducing the urban heat island effect, ensuring renewable energy availability, sustainable land management, improving waste management, and reducing the carbon footprint.

During the open discussion, participants emphasized a bottom-up approach to urban development, comprehensive greening, effective waste management, conservation of water bodies, and the importance of feasibility studies and database creation to identify issues and needs before implementing development plans.

In his closing remarks, Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleque highlighted the importance of canal and reservoir conservation, preventing illegal land grabbing, the critical role of the Sundarbans in mitigating natural disasters, and the necessity of coordinated efforts to tackle the climate crisis.