bdenvironment.com

Category: Feature

  • Green Savers Association, the Saver of Earth

    Green Savers Association, the Saver of Earth

    Tahjeeb Hossain Chowdhury: Covid-19 has hit a lot of lives and rendered systems useless in the months since its rise. But more and more stories of humanity banding together in protection of each other and the world have surfaced. In the lockdown era of quarantine and social distancing, our vegetation and trees might be in want of proper care. The trees in office spaces and premises especially need care. It is easy to assume that in the COVID period those trees aren’t being looked after. But humanity has found a way here as well. With the Green Saviors on duty, trees in office spaces have found care. 

    Since March 26th the country has mostly kept to their homes. Offices have been closed while employees plough away on the keyboards on a work-from home basis. But the various plants and vegetation planted within the large office spaces need some special care. The plants are their mainly for aesthetic purposes. But as all living organisms, plants also need food and care. Over 150 offices within Dhaka City have plants within their premises. 

    Species of plants like Chinese evergreen, Alocasia, Monstera, philodendron, Dieffenbachia, and anthodium palm, dracaena are just some of the popular plants and vegetation used in Dhaka offices. They need regular care and proper elements to live. So Green Saviors have come forward to do just that in these trying times. 

    Ahsan Rony, founder of the Green Savers Association said how plants need proper care if not more like any other living creature. In the monsoon season they need medicine that save them from diseases. Pruning, cutting, pesticides to ward off insects are all essential for proper use. Rony informed that workers from Green saviors visit their client offices on a weekly basis to take proper care of the plants inside offices. They charge 425 Taka to compensate for materials like pesticides, fertilizers as well as fees of service. 

    In the lockdown era Green Savers have found a distinguished clientele including the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka. With clients being very impressed with their work, Green Savers are doing the world a great favor. An initiative taken in 2010, Green Savers has come through for the Green saviors of the environment even during this Pandemic.

    (The writer is a marketing graduate, content writer, and data science enthusiast from Dhaka, reach him at [email protected])

    Photo Courtesy: Green Savers Association

  • Rising sea levels for climate change, a threat to coastal farmers in Bangladesh

    Rising sea levels for climate change, a threat to coastal farmers in Bangladesh

    Tahjeeb Hossain Chowdhury: Climate Change is a worrying prospect for the whole world and nations have been taking steps to brace for impact. But that goes tenfold for a delta nation like Bangladesh. Previous studies have shown that Bangladesh will be one of the victims of the effects of climate change. A very haunting example of this can be seen in the prediction that pertains to agriculture. It has been predicted that the rising water levels might cause coastal farmers of Bangladesh to move inland. 

    Although a riverine country, the coastal farmers have to contend with already dire situations regarding saltwater. The coastal farmers in Bangladesh have to move inland as saltwater can damage the produce. Coupled with the fact that floods have forced farmers to move to fisheries to compensate for losses, the climate change-related water level rising might affect the most vulnerable groups. 

    The Ohio State University associate professor Joyce Chen revealed all of this in her study regarding the farming challenges of Bangladesh pertaining to climate change. She revealed in her study that climate change will affect those who have the fewest resources to begin with. The poor marginalized farmers of the coastal regions who cannot rely on other income would have to move inland to save their lives, let alone occupation. Coastal farmland is under threat because of how much soil salinity is rising. Bangladesh will be hit hard by the change. 

    It is expected that 10-18 millimeters of coastal land will disappear every year as climate change takes a toll. With 40% of Bangladesh’s agricultural land already under threat, there will be a shift of livelihood of close to 1.3 billion. Agriculture will change course to aquaculture as fisheries will become a source of income for the affected populace. 

    Joyce Chen and her co-author Vallerie Mueller have voiced their concerns regarding the incoming danger of people of Bangladesh. She has said that the most vulnerable of farmers will be hit pretty hard by the changing sea levels. Their lives and livelihood will be a bone of contention in the coming era. Although migration to other countries will see a decrease to compensate for the expected change of profession, it is worrying that not every farmer can resort to change. The authors have urged similar countries to learn from Bangladesh’s case. They also called for policies for transition and transformation. 

    (The writer is a marketing graduate, content writer, and data science enthusiast from Dhaka, reach him at [email protected])

  • World Environment Day 2020

    World Environment Day 2020

    World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5 June every year. The theme for World Environment Day 2020 is “Time for Nature”, and it will be hosted in Colombia in partnership with Germany. It is the United Nations‘ prime vehicle for inspiring awareness and action for the protection of our environment. World Environment Day was held in 1974 for the first time. Later, it has been a flagship campaign for raising environment awareness on emerging from environmental issues. World Environment Day campaign includes with marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.

    World Environment Day has grown to become a universal platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries yearly. Every year, World Environment Day has provided a new theme that major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and all celebrities worldwide. Main agenda of World Environment Day is to adopt and advocate environmental causes. For almost five decades, World Environment Day has been raising consciousness, supportive action, and dynamic changes for the environment.

    World Environment Day was established in 1972 by the United Nations on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. I was resulting from discussions on the integration of human interactions and the environment. After two, first World Environment Day was held with the theme “Only One Earth” in the year 1974. Even though the World Environment Day celebration has been held annually since 1974, in 1987 the idea for rotating the center of these activities through selecting different host countries began.

    Incidentally, Colombia is one of the largest “Megadiverse” nations in the world to hold 10% of the planet’s biodiversity. Meanwhile, it is part of the Amazon rain forest, Colombia ranks first in bird and orchid species diversity and second in plants, butterflies, freshwater fish, and amphibians.

  • Plastic microparticles threaten unique Galapagos fauna

    Plastic microparticles threaten unique Galapagos fauna

    Tahjeeb Hossain Chowdhury: The Scenic Oceanside beaches and marinas are now heaped in washed up or thrown out plastic from commuters on the beach. The Galapagos seems like an industrial wasteland filled with plastic, metal, and a host of trash strewn across the shores. This is indicative of how callous the overall process of waste management in the area has been. Yet, underneath that, there is a threat to the inhabitants of the area be it human and fauna. The microparticles from the waste, especially ones from the plastic pose significant damages.

    The microparticles from plastic washing up on the shores have come from nearby countries. The archipelago in the pacific is 600 miles west of Ecuador. The waste from nearby countries or in some degree continents washes up on the shores. The microparticle discharge from these plastic wastes can find their way into the stomachs of unsuspecting fauna like the Iguana, tortoise, birds. These can become fatal and cause deaths of the natural inhabitants. Researchers from the Galapagos National Park have said that the particles might end up in the food of the humans as well. With a population of 25000, that risk might be dire than the words spell them out to be.

    Galapagos is also a heritage site according to Unesco and more efforts from the authorities of surrounding South American countries are expected as the majority of the waste pertains to these countries. Park Rangers and volunteers with their gloves and sacks are the only defense against the rampant waste that faces the Galapagos islands. Most of the plastic washing up has been Chinese Products ranging from plastic shampoo bottles to food containers to even unknown objects that look like adult toys. 

    The locals and the volunteers have made an appeal to the surrounding authorities. In recent years of 2018 and 2019, the waste has accumulated to over 6.5 tons with no signs of the number dropping anytime soon. Authorities and International bodies have to come together and address the situation. Rare species of fauna including the marine Iguana depend on the food in algae, insects, and small crabs. The particles mixed in the ocean endanger their existence at a fatal level. Soon, all species including humans in the Galapagos may be at danger if no steps are taken.

    (The writer is a marketing graduate, content writer, and data science enthusiast from Dhaka, reach him at [email protected])

    Photo Courtesy: Bangkok Post

  • Demerits of the Generator on the Environment

    Demerits of the Generator on the Environment

    Tahjeeb Hossain Chowdhury: In many areas of Bangladesh, there are lots of localities that still suffer from power outages and load sheddings. To counter that, Generators are used to make sure that the power stays uninterrupted throughout the power outage period. But the generator usage has a lot of perils that threaten the normal living quality of the citizens. 

    Many areas like Mirpur, Farmgate, Jatrabari, Kamrangirchor and some areas where industrial production is prevalent; have been suffering from the effects of the generator smoke. The populace surrounding factory areas have complained about the black smoke that comes out of the chimneys and exhausts. 

    The Generator usage creates residual particulate matter that gets mixed with the environment. Researchers in a recent study by the Center For Science and Development, based in Delhi, provided levels of PM2.5 and PM10 rises 10% to 30% in such areas where the diesel generators are in use. According to Environmentalist Dr. Lelin Chowdhury, the particulates can cause serious illnesses in people that can even lead to death. 

    Dhaka has been ranked second in the World Health Organization air pollution index. In daily pollution indexes, Delhi and Dhaka had been trading places in first and second places in recent times. Bangladesh is also the seventh most vulnerable country to be affected by climate change. 

    Every year more or less 15000 people have been affected by air pollution due to air pollution. The top 10 diseases that affect people most and lead to deaths have 5 respiratory-related illnesses which all have an origin in air pollution. The five diseases are lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory tract infections, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Children suffer from asthma-related problems more often than not. 

    The Poribesh Bachao Andolon initiative has time and again pressed on the importance of getting rid of the sources of air pollution. Its Chairman Abu Naser Khan has opined that any fossil fuel has the potential to cause air pollution. “Getting to the bottom of the usage of such fuels and decreasing uses should be a top priority” adds Abu Naser. 

    The Urban Areas in Bangladesh are being consistently polluted by generator smoke and decreasing their use is a must for us to ensure better living standards and save lives.

    (The writer is a marketing graduate, content writer, and data science enthusiast from Dhaka, reach him at [email protected])

    Featured Image Courtesy: The Guardian

  • Bangabandhu Nodi Padak

    Bangabandhu Nodi Padak

    Tahjeeb Hossain Chowdhury: The introduction of the ‘Bangabandhu Nodi Padak’ has been undertaken. As a part of the efforts of restoring rivers and safeguarding the future of the riverine environment, the award will be given to people and organizations that come forward to take steps to save the rivers in our country.

    The rivers that have governed our way of life for centuries have been under threat because of rising pollution. Many rivers in our country have dried up. If rivers do not function in the proper way, a huge dent is expected in our agriculture and our economy. So the government has been playing an active role in saving rivers and the environment that depends so much on the rivers.

    A total of four awards is planned. One in the district levels, while the other three at the national level. The district-level award will consist of a certificate, a gold medal, and a cash prize of BDT 30000. At the national level, the difference would be in the prize money with BDT 50000 as a part of those awards. 

    The awarding committee will be on Upazilla, district, and National levels. Each will have its own awarding committee who will judge the efforts of river protection. The award is being conducted and drafted by the Shipping ministry. The tentative date for the award is likely to be in September. This is because the ministry wants the award ceremony to coincide with the ‘World Rivers Day’. It might also be awarded on any date of the Prime Minister’s availability. Dates, number of awards, the prizes, and other facets are subject to change as per the Shipping ministry. 

    The rivers in our country have played a vital role in our way of life. Yet, they are subject to pollution, illegal establishments on the banks, and have seen a lack of effort in saving the rivers in general. The shipping ministry wants to encourage and make sure that saving rivers is a priority on an individual as well as personal levels. The ‘Bangabandhu Nodi Padak’ will be a sign of incentive and promotion of the notion to award acts of riverine restorations.

    (The writer is a marketing graduate, content writer, and data science enthusiast from Dhaka, reach him at [email protected])

  • 14 Thousands Square kilometer Area will Disappear

    14 Thousands Square kilometer Area will Disappear

    Ashik Rahman: 14 thousand square kilometers of the Indian subcontinent will disappear for one meter of sea level increases. And six meters increases will absorb the coastal area of ​​60 thousand square kilometers for global warming matter.

    Increasing global warming greenhouse effect’s, Sea levels if the water level rises by one meter. The Indian subcontinent coastal area about 14 km from the sea fishes are very vulnerable. A group of scientists in the study was asked to report on. The way they have been attributed to climate change.

    Sea level will rise because of sea temperatures increase, glaciers, and ice neck and ice memoranda down. Numerous reports warned that one-meter water level increases of 48 ecoregions that crash is 18 which is Krishna, godabari badabanera quarter. Destroying UNESCO World Heritage area, Sundarbans and Gujarat saltwater of the shore half. The level of the six-meter does lead to the drowning that is at risk of 7 ecoregions.

    The sea level of one meter increases the damage of the species could not appear. But drowning is seven protected areas including Orisara inside the cell, Silika Lake, Point kayalimeyara Island, Interview Island, lothiyana Island, and the sajanekhali. This disaster will be lost in the hundreds of rare species those are living in down the coast ecosystem operation. The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea coast have been saved and the unsaved biodiversity of the area in endanger.

    Sea level rises if the country’s risk the most, the top has a geographically from the low lying terrain Bangladesh. Most vulnerable in the face of the cit, Global banks, according to water level 14 centimeters increases for two people endanger those who live in the 700 kilometers long low lying coastal areas. Climate change impacts will be 47 million dollars to prevent the government of Bangladesh. It has two major projects, which is a coastal area and builds a thicker lawn.
    The main cause of global warming, fossil fuels produce carbon-die-oxide and greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gas increases the temperature of the earth’s surface which is a major global warming threat.

    Photo Courtesy: CBS News

  • Poisonous Frogs

    Poisonous Frogs

    The scientists are in serious stress to tackle the nuisance of small Poisonous Frogs in Australian native. A group of scientists from Charles Darwin University in the United Kingdom in their research said the small Poisonous Frogs are killing snakes and crocodiles, raising concern for bio-diversity.

    When the snakes swallow them to meet their hunger, the small frogs spread poison inside the snake’s body and eventually the snake dies, said the report. The scientists said that they were concerned when they worked with the crocodiles of Victoria River and Bulow River in Northern territory. The number of crocodiles, small in size (male 1.7 meters while female crocodile only 0.7 meters) known as Pigmy, a rare species was 28 in 2007 but the number came down to 18 after one year.

    The scientists could not specify the actual reasons behind such reduction of the crocodiles but after the presence of such frogs in the rivers, the number of crocodiles is coming down. It may cause of Climate Change effect. Incidentally, Due to shortage of Food, the crocodiles eat up the frogs and they die, said the scientists. The frogs are advancing towards East-South Australia with a speed of 50 kilometers per year, the scientists informed.

  • Gulshan Lake not in Government Spotlight

    Gulshan Lake not in Government Spotlight

    Ashik Rahman: There has not been sewage and household dissipates did not stream into the Gulshan lake in a single day. Gulshan Lake, located Gulshan-Baridhara area was officially marked an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) to save the water body from becoming pollution. And also to protect it from infringement which was declared before 12 years.

    According to the grapevine trying to convince people that it was central to safeguard it for the ecology of Dhaka city, two giant signboards of the Department of Environment (DoE) of the government have been posted on either end of the lake since November 26, 2001.

    Although there have been a lot of environmental law and organization but the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake continues to get more polluted day by day for not taking any steps from law implement departments, claimed environmental lawyer Rizwana Hasan.

    Whatever officials of DoE claimed that Dhaka Wasa and Dhaka City Corporation are trying to stop pollution in the Lake. It’s important that Rajdhani Unnyan Kartripakhha (RAJUK) undertook a plan to build a 40 feet road along the eastern shoreline of the lake.

    Incidentally, to survive any kind of life in a water body, the minimum standard required level of break up oxygen is six milligrams per liter. The ECA rule was established in the year 1999 under the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act, 1995.

    There is a total of 12 ECAs have been identified in Bangladesh. These areas are Tanguar Haor, Hakaluki Haor and Marjat Baor are also need to be protected. Shores of the lake are used as dumping ground for city waste.

    Image Courtesy: BD News 24

  • 7 million lives lost to Air Pollution every year

    7 million lives lost to Air Pollution every year

    Tahjeeb Hossain Chowdhury: In this turbulent time with climate change and upcoming recession due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it might be a good sign that reduction in the industrial activities has meant that air pollution has gone down quite significantly. But we should still wary of the fact that it is one of the most fatal reasons for ailments and eventually death. That was expanded even wider by the expert on the matter, David Boyd at Geneva last year.

    Boyd has termed air pollution ‘A Silent Killer‘, and that term holds so much water. He backs up his naming with a statistic that 7 million people every year die. It is due to causes linked directly or indirectly to Air Pollution. With a rising number of asthma patients and other respiratory issues, almost 600,000 of these deaths are children. 

    Boyd had broken down the stats on an hourly basis. His research showed that 800 people die at an hourly rate. And these deaths are direct results of issues such as cancer, heart, and respiratory diseases. All is directly links to air pollution. 

    With industrial advancements at an all-time high, production and manufacturing activities happen at a rapid rate. Owing to the competitive nature of the market, industrial activities demand an exorbitant amount of fossil fuel and electricity generation. More and more deadly particulates add to the atmosphere and endanger lives because of inhaling such matters. 

    Women, Children, Elder statesmen, and more vulnerable groups are always in the crosshairs of air pollution. To curtail air pollution and stop deaths, David Boyd advised in taking steps. These included monitoring air pollution effects on human health, tracking sources of air pollution, regulations regarding air pollution activities, promotion, and availability of public information regarding air pollution, and more. 

    In the recent Covid-19 pandemic many industries have shut down production and public commutes have been shut down barring emergency activities. A recent report from IQAir shows that there has been a 60% decrease in air pollution. It is an indication that if we can be a little bit more responsible in our interactions after this pandemic, then we can too reduce air pollution.

    (The writer is a marketing graduate, content writer, and data science enthusiast from Dhaka, reach him at [email protected])

    Content Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
    Photo Courtesy: RT Magazine