The current heat wave sweeping over the country is the latest in a series of atmospheric aberrations that point out the irreversible fallout of climate change. Bangladesh has always been in a vulnerable position in regards to shifting climates, and the latest heat wave is on track to becoming one of the worst -- if not the worst -- in the history of the country.
The current rise in temperature in particular serves as a warning that, if we as a species don't take steps to heal the climate soon, we will not survive.
Even though Bangladesh as a nation is on the front lines of climate change, that has not stopped us from increasing our reliance on fossil fuel. As the whole world pivots to greener, more efficient economies, we have refused to let go of the old ways -- not only shooting ourselves in the foot in terms of atmospheric damage, but also setting ourselves up for failure in the coming world in the process.
However, this is not Bangladesh's, or indeed any least developed and developing nation's fault as the onus lies squarely on developed nations who have dealt the most damage with their early and violent levels of industrialization.
The brunt of the environmental damage has been caused by first world countries, a fact that is well established. But not only are they going back on their word of moving away from fossil fuels in some cases -- mainly countries like the US -- they are also refusing to pay reparations for the damage they continue to have on countries like Bangladesh.
This simply cannot remain the case.
The fact that we are registering temperatures around the 40 degree celsius mark is proof that something is terribly wrong. That first world nations are refusing to keep their commitment is problematic in and of itself.
At the end of the day, restoring the integrity of the global climate is all of our responsibility. But, without developed nations recognizing their end of the bargain and paying up, this will simply remain a pipe dream.
