Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries due to climate change; and the dire consequences of climate change are already here. The time-capturing photo, taken on Tuesday evening, clearly depicts to what extent the situation has deteriorated.
The photo depicts how the golden rays of the setting sun cannot bless the city as a thick black layer of polluted air bars them from entering the cityscape. The picture not only portrays the beauty of sunset in Dhaka, but also it divulges the level of pollution that Dhaka has had been going through over the years. The foggy part of the horizon reiterates the dust and air pollution that are overwhelming Dhaka’s environment.
According to an analysis of Air Quality Index data, Dhaka’s air remained unsuitable for breathing for more than half of last year. The analysis mentions that the air quality in Dhaka remained ‘very unhealthy’ and ‘extremely unhealthy’ for 197 days. One does not need to be an expert to understand Dhaka’s environmental hazards that have been overwhelming this heaving capital over the years. Pollution and environmental challenges have occupied life and livelihood of the Dhakaities to a greater extent.
In Dhaka, with every breath we take in, we inhale a number of poisonous particulates. Dhaka’s air is highly polluted mainly due to brick kilns, unfit vehicles and unusual growth of dust from construction works, rundown roads which are taking heavy toll on the public health. Air pollution used to take nearly 8,000 lives a year just three years back, now it causes death to more than 1 lakh people every year.
It is not only people that suffer. Air pollution also damages nature and biodiversity. Clean air and water, healthy forests and a rich flora and fauna are necessary for a high quality of life, and must not be overlooked by policy makers just because they are difficult to value in monetary terms.
Improvements in energy efficiency, increased use of less-or non-polluting renewable sources of energy are examples of measures that will benefit both air quality and the climate. Right now, world leaders have gathered in the Spanish capital of Madrid to find a way out of the disastrous situation created by climate change which is causing a wide range of impacts that will affect virtually every human on Earth in increasingly severe ways.
We are already seeing the effects of climate change, but thankfully, we are equipped with the most effective tool to mitigate and adapt to it: nature. And, we must protect the nature today to ensure a better planet for future generations.
