While it remains true that climate change is the single biggest existential threat to humanity in the 21st century, what can also not be questioned is that some nations are disproportionately more at risk than others -- and Bangladesh is one of them.
To that end, the lack of action displayed by the developed world in assisting nations such as ours continues to be disheartening and disappointing. It bears repeating that the climate crisis we are in is solely the fault of richer, developed nations -- it was and is their way of living and industrializing that fuel carbon emissions and exacerbate the issue.
It continues to be nations such as Bangladesh that suffer the most; from an increase in natural calamities such as cyclones and floods to the inevitable displacement of millions as a direct result of the adverse effects of the changing climate, there appears to be little in the way of respite, with the developed world doing very little to assist us.
In fact, it has been extremely impressive to see the many proactive steps Bangladesh has taken, and continues to plan, to protect itself from the worst of climate change -- including the Eighth Five Year Plan incorporating action points to address the environment, climate change adaptation and mitigation; establishment of a climate change trust fund; and launching of Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, not to mention also taking up housing projects for climate migrants within the country.
Ultimately, however, this is not our mess. Countries such as Bangladesh should not be suffering from a crisis that we had no part in. It is about time the developed world do the right thing, and instead of continuing to wax poetic, put their money where their mouths are and keep their word of assisting those most affected by climate change.
