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Bangladesh needs a reawakening |
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Friday, 29 August 2008 |
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Global warming In the international symposium on 'Climate change and food security in South Asia' President Iajuddin Ahmed called upon the world community to work unitedly to face the challenges of global warming and make the planet a place of better living. He termed the scientists the most important representatives of the mankind and asked them to give suggestions to the world community and make the common masses aware around the globe to protect this planet from the devastation of climate change. The symposium was jointly organized by the Dhaka University and the Ohio State University, USA in collaboration with the government, World Meteorological Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific. Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor SMA Faiz presided over the inaugural session. Time has come for the international community to take a longer-term view of Bangladesh's frequent trysts with nature's whims. After two consecutive floods during the monsoon and then cyclone Sidr last year, Bangladesh needs a reawakening and new resolve to shape the nation's destiny. The Bangladesh nation can no longer afford to merely respond to a crisis, count on relief and rehabilitation and wait for the next blow to come. Bangladesh must be ambitious in its approach and firm in its resolve in thinking of a large-scale, long-term solution to contain the fury of mother-nature on a sustainable basis. Few nations face the challenges that we in Bangladesh face for our mere survival. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals will become a mirage if we fail to devote our minds and money to reducing environmental vulnerability. We cannot do this alone. Strong international support is necessary to help us meet our environmental challenges.
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