ONE of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is climate change and how to deal with it. Day by day, the impact of climate change has become a cause of great concern for us as it adversely affects human life and biodiversity, and a lot of research is going on. As a result of climate change, the world is warming, the weather is becoming more extreme, and sea levels are rising. These changes are having a huge impact on nature, wildlife, human settlements, and society. The effects of human-caused climate change are widespread and long-lasting.
April is usually the hottest month in our country. The average maximum temperature in this month is 33.2 degrees Celsius. But on April 20, 2024, Jashore recorded the highest temperature in the country at 42.4 degrees Celsius. This is the highest temperature so far this year. If the temperature is more than 42 degrees Celsius, then it is considered a severe heat wave. On April 17, 2023, the temperature in Pabna鈥檚 Ishwardi was recorded at 43 degrees Celsius. This was the highest temperature last year. Earlier in 1995, the maximum temperature was 43 degrees Celsius, and after independence, Rajshahi recorded a maximum temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius on May 18, 1972.
Generally, when the maximum temperature of an area exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, it is considered a severe heat wave. Currently, along with Khulna division, Rajshahi, Tangail and Pabna districts are experiencing severe heat waves. A mild to moderate heat wave is prevailing in other parts of the country. A moderate heat wave is also flowing in the capital, Dhaka. In such a situation, the Meteorological Office says that there is little chance of the temperature decreasing in the next three days; rather, it may increase. In fact, there will be a heat wave throughout the month of April. However, its intensity may vary from time to time. Also, the excess water vapour can increase discomfort. The Meteorological Office has not ruled out the possibility of an extreme heat wave this month.
The 25鈥�30 year average weather condition of a place on the earth鈥檚 surface is called the climate of that place. It basically refers to significant changes in the long-term wind flow, rainfall, temperature, sunshine, etc, of a place. Due to natural causes, different dynamic processes of the earth such as the level of solar radiation, changes in the direction of the axis, the position of the earth relative to the sun, etc, the climate changes naturally, but mainly due to man-made causes such as factories, gases emitted from vehicles, coal burning, smoke from brick kilns, cutting trees, climate is changing rapidly due to many factors such as unplanned urbanisation, damming of watercourses etc.
Most recently, the United Arab Emirates witnessed a record rainfall in 75 years. The rains have been so heavy that roads have been submerged, cars have been washed away, and shopping malls have also been submerged. Somewhere, the highway has broken and created a huge hole. Along with the cancellation of flights, metro station operations have also stopped. People in the desert country of the UAE have not seen such rainfall since 1949. Floods caused by heavy rains have submerged most of the roads in Dubai, causing severe traffic jams. Most people are stuck in offices and homes. Water has also entered residential buildings in various areas of Sharjah and Dubai. Electricity and internet connections have also been cut off.听
Heavy rainfall is rare in the desert country of the UAE. According to the country鈥檚 National Centre of Meteorology, more than 50 weather stations recorded more than 100mm of rain on a single day. Of these, four stations recorded more than 200mm of rainfall. However, according to the World Bank鈥檚 Climate Change Knowledge Portal, the average annual rainfall in the UAE is 140鈥�200mm. There, the meteorological authorities recorded 254mm of rain in less than 24 hours in Khatam Al Shakla area of Al Ain city in the Middle East. Dubai International Airport receives an average annual rainfall of 94.7mm. But in 24 hours, Dubai received 142mm of rain.
Climate scientists say that the increase in global temperatures due to the effects of climate change due to human-caused disasters is causing more extreme weather events around the world, including intense rainfall, and will increase in the future. According to some experts, climate change may be the cause of these devastating rains and floods. Experts say that due to day-to-day climate change, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall even under normal weather conditions. Mainly due to the effects of global warming, sea storms are occurring more frequently than before. Drier regions of the world are experiencing more rain and rain-induced flooding than ever before, and humid areas are becoming drier than before. Such changes are called climate change. As the temperature rises, the ice sheets of the polar regions, the glaciers of the mountains like the Himalayas, or the huge blocks of ice floating in the seas are melting. As a result, the sea level is rising. The coastal low-lying areas of various countries in the world, including Bangladesh, are gradually sinking under salt water. As a result, a lot of biodiversity is being lost, and people are losing their homes, farmlands and security.
Among the risks associated with climate change are heatwaves, excess rainfall and flooding in coastal areas, which have already become apparent. These issues emerged in a 2014 assessment by a committee made up of governments from different countries. Large parts of Europe, Asia and Australasia continue to experience wildfires. Similarly, heavy rains intensified in North America and Europe, and the same pattern was occurring in other parts of the world. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. In addition to climate change, the riverine delta of Bangladesh is facing more natural crises. However, as the Himalayan glaciers melt as a result of warming, sea levels rise, and the risk of deadly disasters is feared to increase. The government has already identified floods, cyclones, droughts, tidal waves, tornadoes, earthquakes, river erosion, waterlogging, rising water and soil salinity as major natural hazards. The main goal of the Paris Climate Agreement, supported by 189 countries around the world, is to prevent global warming and provide financial assistance to poor countries already affected by climate change. In this historic agreement, the countries of the world agree to keep the average rate of global temperature increase below two degrees Celsius or within one and a half degrees if possible, and accordingly, the countries concerned must take effective measures.
Climate change has a huge impact on society. It affects health, access to clean water, food, inequality and economic growth. The impacts of climate change are often interrelated. These can exacerbate each other and existing vulnerabilities. In the near future, some regions may become so hot that they become uninhabitable. Due to climate-related changes or disasters, the people of some regions will be forced to migrate to other parts of the country or to other countries.
Some scientists have described the effects of climate change as a 鈥榗limate emergency鈥� or 鈥榗limate crisis鈥� as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. Some researchers and activists have identified them as an existential threat to civilisation. It is important to analyse the consequences of climate change and the failure to address this disaster and take effective action. If we do not take effective action against climate change, the situation will only get worse. Otherwise, the visible effects of climate change, like excessive heat, rain, flooding, and drought, will be more pronounced.
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Md Zillur Rahaman is a banker and columnist.
