Like other low-lying nations, Bangladesh is already experiencing the adverse consequences of climate change.
Dhaka Tribune’s report on the plight of farmers in Satkhira chronicles the worrying extent to which crop-lands are already being lost to salinity caused by rising sea levels.
Bangladesh simply can’t afford to lose large amounts of agricultural land to sea water inundation and increased salinity. The problem will become much more severe if the Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP21), starting in Paris today, fails to bring about long term reductions in greenhouse emissions to help stem the threat posed by rising sea levels.
If entire districts become unsuitable for agriculture, and food production plummets, millions more families will be forced to abandon their fields and move to cities like Dhaka for work. It is conceivable that Dhaka itself, which is only 3 metres above sea level, could eventually have to be abandoned.
We must act now to prevent these dire scenarios.
Bangladesh should push for an international agreement to tax fossil fuel consumption. Taxing fossil fuels will motivate households and industries to conserve energy and invest in renewable energy. The revenue raised from taxing fossil fuels will also allow governments to reduce other taxes on consumption like VAT and import duties. If fossil fuel taxes are implemented in conjunction with cuts in other taxes, the world’s consumption of fossil fuels can be radically reduced without causing economic hardship.
As a nation on the frontline, Bangladesh should take a lead in supporting proposals for globally co-ordinated taxes on the use of fossil fuels.
The world needs to provide financial and political backing for a global clean energy revolution to reduce per capita greenhouse emissions and to provide more sustainable sources for economic growth. If COP fails to make progress, our ability to adapt and improve resilience to climate change will be severely compromised.
