Rubina Ruby from the coast
Climate change is the most discussed issue in the coastal region of Bangladesh. The region faces and suffers from climate induced disasters many times. People in the area many times lost their livelihoods, and were forced to migrate to cities for searching of works where they also lost their identity including their traditional occupations. Sidr, Aila, Foni, Mohasen and most recentlt Bulbul, Citrang hit the coastal area causing damage crops, trees, lands, water basins and taking away lives as well.
However, climate conference which is known as Conference of Parties (COP). The COP27 has taken place in Egypt this year. Many climate experts, government officials, researchers and general people participate in the COP every year. Different government officials from different countries make an agreement regarding reducing the emission of carbon to ease the rapid change of climate. The rich countries which are most responsible for climate change did make a promise in the recent past to reduce their carbon emission but have never made their promise in reality. Thus, the climatic hazards have increased day by day. Nonetheless, the people in coastal region of Bangladesh are aware regarding the climate change and they know that they are least responsible for the change though they are worst victims of the change.
In order to attract the attention of state mechanism to negotiate for compensation due to climate change the youth in the coastal region recently organized climate conference discussion at a tea stall where people from different walks participated and shared their views and concerns. A tea stall is favorite place for people of different walks where they gather and discuss different issues with each other while having a cup of tea. The youths of Kashimari Union of Shyamnagar Upazila, thus organized the climate conference discussion to capture and accumulate the perception of people about climate change, the rate of their awareness as well as their concerns about COP27. However, there is a lot of interest in this climate conference among people from all walks of life. The tea shop was not left out as well.
Participating in the discussion Md. Akbar Ali (60) said, “From home news to world news, people from all walks of life come there to satisfy the satisfaction of tea and they discuss about the overall situation including the climate change and its impact on our life and livelihoods.” “We are the most affected communities due to the change but are least responsible for that. Therefore, the rich countries which emit more carbon should compensate us”-he added. Md. Aslam Hossain said, “We are suffering due to climate change. Rich countries are responsible for this. If the rich countries do not reduce their carbon emissions now, we will face a serious threat in the future and if these changes continue, we will see a time when we will not exist.’
While sipping tea, Md. Shahidul Islam said, “I have heard more or less about the climate conference, but we do not want any funds from you, reduce carbon emissions, cut off your luxurious life and let us live.” He went on saying, “We do not want only promise we want the rich countries to make their promise into reality. There should be punishment measures for the countries which fail to fulfill their promises.” Many other participants also shared their views about the climate change and their sufferings and wanted the end of their sufferings through major actions of the global leaders.
Sundarban Student Solidarity Team coordinator SM Raisul Islam conducted a discussion meeting about the climate conference at the cup of tea. The meeting was also attended by other youth members of Sundarban Student Solidarity Team and officials of private research and development institute BARCIK Champa Rani Mallik and Rubina Parveen.
Translated by Silvanus Lamin