Bangladesh is one the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, and its agriculture sector has keenly felt the adverse effects of climate change, experts have said.
They were speaking at the inauguration of the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) Climate Centre in Sreepur, Gazipur, on Saturday.
“Due to climate change, we no longer have six seasons in the country. Whereas three types of crops used to be grown on the same land in a year, now only one crop can be grown. Crop diversity is being lost, and production is declining,” said CCDB Climate Centre Advisory Body member Dr Saleemul Huq, who is also director of ICCCAD and senior associate of IIED.
He added that the Climate Centre would serve as a research hub to find solutions to such climate related problems
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Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said: “Bangladesh is already prone to natural disasters. The whole world is worried about dealing with the effects of climate change. It is difficult for a poor country like ours to deal with its impact. Poor people are more at risk.”
Saying that the agriculture sector is a major contributor to Bangladesh’s GDP, he stressed the need to find climate solutions.
Dhaka TribuneProfessor Ainun Nishat, a pioneering expert in climate change issues in Bangladesh and advisor to the CCDB Climate Centre, said: “Climate disasters will increase in an unpredictable way, so we should bring in cutting edge technology and build up the capacity to use it and become resilient.”
The experts said the centre will help increase knowledge and skills by demonstrating various technological and systemic solutions to address the impact of climate change on people’s lives and livelihoods.
Juliate Keya Malakar, executive director of CCDB, said: “We have established the Climate Centre but it is for everyone. It is the responsibility of all public and private institutions to enrich it.”
Dhaka TribunePetra Berner, director of international programs of Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World) Germany, said: “We are a donor organization, but alternative plans have been made for the operation of this Centre in the absence of donations. The research cannot stop when the donations stop.”
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In addition to exhibiting more than 70 timely and practical technologies related to climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction, the Climate Centre houses a Climate Learning Centre, Digital Theatre, Exhibition Zone, Conference Hall, Library, Research Center and Children’s Learning Zone, which will help build a climate resilient society. Guided tours can be undertaken at the Climate Centre.