Climate action must for future generation
On the eve of World Environment Day, observed globally on June 5, environmental experts in Bangladesh have called for urgent and measurable action to combat climate change, reduce pollution and secure a livable, green future for the next generation.
This year’s global observance comes at a critical time, as World Environment Day 2026 focuses on climate change and the urgent need for governments, institutions and citizens to respond faster. For Bangladesh, the message is especially important.
Although the country contributes only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, its people remain highly exposed to floods, cyclones, sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, heat stress and livelihood losses.
Environmentalists say climate change should no longer be treated only as a global diplomatic issue. It must now be addressed through stronger national action, stricter enforcement and responsible public behaviour.
Reducing carbon emissions, expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and controlling industrial pollution should be treated as national priorities, they said.
At the same time, climate action must be linked with local environmental protection, including clean air, plastic control, river protection, forest conservation and sustainable urban planning.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam told The New Nation that the government is giving priority to nature-based solutions.
“We are focusing more on nature-based solutions, including planting 250 million trees in five years to reduce heat, strengthen carbon sequestration and restore ecological balance.
Canal excavation is also very effective for restoring ecosystems,” he said.
Environmental experts welcomed the tree plantation initiative, but warned that plantation must not become a ceremonial programme.
They said saplings should be selected according to local soil, ecology and biodiversity needs, while indigenous, fruit-bearing and medicinal trees should be prioritised.
Proper monitoring is also essential, as the survival of trees is more important than the number planted.
Air pollution remains one of Bangladesh’s most serious environmental and public health challenges.
Experts said emissions from unfit vehicles, brick kilns, industries, construction dust and open waste burning must be controlled through strict monitoring.
They also called for regular public air-quality warnings, cleaner transport, better urban planning and stronger enforcement against polluters.
Plastic pollution is another growing threat. Large amounts of plastic waste continue to enter drains, canals, rivers and water bodies, worsening urban flooding and damaging aquatic ecosystems.
Experts urged strict enforcement of the polythene ban, source-level waste segregation, producer responsibility for plastic packaging and greater investment in recycling and circular-economy systems.
They also stressed the need to stop deforestation, hill cutting, wetland grabbing, river encroachment and illegal dumping of industrial waste.
Protecting forests, rivers, wetlands and biodiversity, they said, is not only an environmental duty but also a climate-resilience strategy.
At the individual level, citizens can contribute by avoiding single-use plastic, saving water and electricity, planting and caring for trees, reducing waste, using public transport where possible and keeping local canals, ponds and neighbourhoods clean.
However, experts noted that individual action alone is not enough unless government agencies, industries and local authorities perform their responsibilities effectively.
In his message for World Environment Day 2026, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the planet’s danger signs are visible across the world, from rising temperatures to polluted air, degraded land, damaged ecosystems and biodiversity loss.
He urged countries to cut emissions, accelerate the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, protect forests, land and seas, support adaptation and fulfil climate-finance commitments for developing countries.
Environmental experts said World Environment Day should therefore be a day of accountability, not only celebration.
For Bangladesh, the path is clear: clean the air, protect rivers, reduce plastic pollution, restore forests, expand renewable energy and make development climate-resilient.
They said slogans will not save the environment unless promises are turned into action.
The future of Bangladesh’s people, economy and ecosystems will depend on how quickly the country can move from awareness to implementation.
