Dhaka, Nov 23 – Dhaka, one of the most polluted cities in the world, ranked 3rd worst in the Air Quality Index on Monday morning. Dhaka had an AQI score of 185 at 09:02am and the air was classified as…
Category: Environment
The Neglected Water and Sanitation Crisis
by Kevin Rudd SUNSHINE COAST – The COVID-19 crisis has laid bare the importance of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. As we all know now, hand washing is one of the best frontline defenses against the virus. Yet…
The Environmental Consequences of Political Repression
by Henry Munangatire HARARE – Zimbabwe was once Africa’s rising star. Boasting robust human capital, considerable natural-resource wealth, and modern infrastructure, it was the continent’s leading producer of crops such as maize, wheat, and soybeans. Agricultural exports earned it the…
Europe and China Take the Climate Reins
by Laurence Tubiana PARIS – In the space of just a week during this year’s United Nations General Assembly, representatives of the world’s largest single market and the world’s second-largest economy each laid their climate cards on the table. One…
GWP Appoints New Executive Secretary
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) Steering Committee announced the appointment of Mr Dario Soto-Abril (pictured) as GWP Executive Secretary, effective March 1, 2021. Soto-Abril joins GWP after serving as Global CEO at Fairtrade International since February 2017.
UN adopts resolution for urgent solution of Rohingya crisis
The United Nations has adopted a resolution on “The Situation of Human Rights of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar” while Bangladesh seeks a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Historic deal revives plan for largest US dam demolition
An agreement announced Tuesday paves the way for the largest dam demolition in U.S. history, a project that promises to reopen hundreds of miles of waterway along the Oregon-California border to salmon that are critical to tribes but have dwindled…
Glorious days: Waste dumping remains a never ending story
Mostafa Kamal Majumder Despite the official announcement from the highest level of the government of rejection of their proposal for the import of toxic industrial wastes in the guise of generating cheap electricity for a caustic chlorine plant, the waste…
C40 Cities open Oslo office to accelerate clean construction
Oslo, Norway 12 November 2020 – Yesterday, C40 Cities, the global network of cities committed to bold climate action, opens a new office in Oslo, to drive forward progress in key areas such as clean construction and innovative mechanisms of…
Chittagong gas fire: Injured woman dies, 8 others burned
A woman, who sustained burn injury after a fire broke out at a house in Uttar Kattoli area, died at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital on Monday.
Climate Action Superheroes empower children to save planet
7 November 2020 – Eight new animated characters on a mission to protect the planet, have been pressed into service by the UN to empower children worldwide and boost the drive towards sustainability by 2030.
Dhaka South City Corpn starts drive to restore dead canals
Dhaka, Nov. 06 – Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Friday started cleaning waste from Shampur canal while continuing its drive in Dhanmondi Lake.
Fire at Demra light factory under control
Dhaka, Nov 06 – A fire that broke out at a light factory warehouse at Konapara of Matuail in Demra on Thursday afternoon was brought under control by firefighters after several hours of frantic efforts.
US formally exits Paris pact aiming to curb climate change
AP/UNB, Oct 04 – The United States on Wednesday formally left the Paris Agreement, a global pact forged five years ago to avert the threat of catastrophic climate change.
Kashmir shuts down to protest India’s new land laws
Shops and businesses were shut in several parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Saturday as separatists challenging Indian rule called for a general strike to denounce new laws that allow any Indians to buy land in the disputed region.
Fire at Dhaka’s Kalyanpur slum
A fire broke out at Natunbazar slum of Kalyanpur in the capital on Friday night.
After nearly a decade away, La Niña weather system is back
30 October 2020 – Many will be familiar with El Niño – the ocean-warming phenomenon that affects global weather patterns – but how about La Niña, which is linked to cooler sea temperatures?
Suu Kyi asked to secure Rohingya repatriation
The United States has urged the Myanmar government to secure the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya and other refugees and internally displaced persons.
Dhaka North Mayor, family recover from coronavirus
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Atiqul Islam, his wife and daughter have been discharged from Kurmitola General Hospital after making full recovery from coronavirus.
Glorious days: Campaign blocking waste import had life risks
Mostafa Kamal Majumder My lookout for news stories landed me on a move by some greedy people coming up with a formal proposal submitted to the government in October 1988 to import toxic wastes camouflaging it under the cover of…
Why Flood management is not big issue in Bihar elections?
October 26, 2020 SANDRP Why Floods need to be an Election issue in Bihar. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is campaigning for the state assembly elections after being the Chief Minister for 15 years (except brief 10 month period in 2014-15).
Rohingya: Tripartite talks ‘in Beijing’ after Myanmar’s polls
Dhaka, Oct 23 – Bangladesh, Myanmar and China are planning to hold Foreign Minister-level tripartite talks after Myanmar’s national election in November to begin the repatriation of Rohingyas without any delay.
‘Dhaka no more in position to take Rohingya burden’
The international community should sincerely work to create an environment for the repatriation of Rohingyas as they are willing to return home, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Thursday.
Int’l community to discuss Rohingya issue Thursday
The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will bring the international community together on Thursday to address the Rohingya crisis.
People walk in Cox’s Bazar demanding climate, gender justice
Cox’s Bazar, Oct 21 – Dozens of women, men and young people walked along the Cox’s Bazar beach on Tuesday demanding climate and gender justice.
Redouble efforts to find solution to Rohingya crisis: UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has stressed that the international community and countries in the region must redouble their efforts not only maintain support for Rohingyas and their hosts, but also adapt to critical new needs and expand the search…
UNFCCC’s Response Measures Committee holds virtual meeting
Kathmandu, 19 Oct (Prerna Bomzan): The third meeting of the UNFCCC’s Katowice Committee of Experts on the Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures (KCI) met in its first virtual setting from 5-9 October, to address agenda issues relating to…
Dhaka under pressure against Rohingya relocation plan: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said there is a pressure on the government by the international NGOs, including UNHCR, against Bhasan Char relocation though some Rohingyas are willing to go there to enjoy wonderful facilities for them.
Dhaka ranks worst in global air quality index Sunday morning
Dhaka, Oct 18 – Dhaka, one the most polluted cities in the world, ranked worst in the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Sunday morning. It had a score of 188 at 10:24am. The air was classified as ‘unhealthy’.
Unified voice of Myanmar neighbours must for Rohingya return
Dhaka, Oct 18 – The United States has sought an equal role from Myanmar’s all neighbours with “broad and unified voice” so that Rohingyas can get the confidence back to return to their homeland without any fear of further deportation.