In Quest of Habitable Planet in 21st Century

The quest for a habitable house, a county and a world is one of the most basic desires of human beings. But seldom do they get the opportunity to satisfy them. The reasons for this are the impacts of climate change on the environment leading to air, water, soil, noise, light, thermal and plastic pollution that collectively damage ecosystems. The most pressing environmental problems of the day besetting the world include climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, pollution (air/ocean) and water scarcity. These interconnected crises, driven by human activity, threaten ecosystems and human health through extreme weather, habitat destruction and resource depletion.  

Climate change in Bangladesh is an extremely crucial issue. According to National Geographic and other climate bodies, Bangladesh, as of 2026, is one of the top ten most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change in the world. Located at the bottom of the mighty Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River System, Bangladesh is watered by a total of 57 trans-boundary rivers flowing down into it. The increasing population density, poverty and ineffective and poorly funded local governance have made the country one of the most environmentally vulnerable regions on the planet.

That the environment of rural Bangladesh has been badly affected by various forms of pollution is also evident in serious disruptions to the traditional and distinct order of the seasons—Grishma (Summer), Barsha (Monsoon), Sharat (Autumn), Hemanta (Late Autumn), Sheet (Winter), and Basanta (Spring). Bangladesh is no longer the “Land of Six Seasons”.  According to local observations, the seasons have collapsed into three main seasons: Summer, Monsoon and Winter which are characterised by increased instability, unpredictable extremes, and the blurring of traditional boundaries. If this process of environmental degradation continues unabated, I am afraid, our seasonal cycle will become extinct. Environmental degradation also finds expression in disruptions to cultural festivals in rural Bangladesh.

I still can recollect the sweet memories of my childhood days associated with the passage of the cycle of the seasons and festive occasions that make me take a trip down memory lane. Picking raw mangoes during the Baishakhi storms and eating them with chili and salt on banana leaves; running away from school under the scorching Jaistha sun and climbing the black plum tree with neighbourhood boys, smearing faces with the sweet dark juice of black plum; sailing on banana rafts in the flooded fields of Ashar, collecting bur flowers while returning from the village river; swimming for hours in the ponds full of rainwater in Sraban,  returning home with eyes reddened by repeated diving into water and receiving a scolding from mothers; eating hot palm fritters from grandmothers’ hands under reddish clouds looming in the horizon in Bhadro; visiting temples in groups during Sharadiya Durga Puja in Ashwin and watching devotional dances and songs; gazing out over the huge expenses of golden paddy fields and eating smoked rice, date-jaggery pithas, and kheer during Nabannya in Kartik-Agrahayan; warming bodies  by the fire in the courtyard on foggy mornings in Poush-Magh; marvelling at the vibrant reds and pinks of Kanchan, Shimul, Palash, and Krishnachura trees in Falgun and inhaling the fresh scent of wild bakul flowers from the village woods; and attending the thrilling Charak  Puja at the Banni fair with grandfathers in Chaitra and joining the Halkhata closing account books—are events of my childhood  indelibly etched on my memory. However, I now miss them like anything. Climate is increasingly eroding our cultural heritage and intangible traditions at home and abroad.

It is absolutely imperative that we carry out advocacy for climate justice, investment in renewable energy and efforts to protect Bangladesh’s vulnerable coastal areas that can contribute to the global discourse on environmental stewardship. Given the vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate-related challenges, government efforts to highlight these issues on the global platform, including international forums like the United Nations Climate Change Conferences, underscore our commitment to global environmental concerns. As an advocate for environmental sustainability, Bangladesh’s commitment to climate action is a distinctive strength. 

Bangladesh, a low-lying delta nation, is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, ranging from rising sea levels to extreme weather events and climate-induced displacement. In the face of the escalating climate crisis, it stands out as one of the most vulnerable nations in the world. Recognising the imminent threats posed by climate change to the nation, the government should pioneer policies and initiatives to address these challenges head-on. It should come up as a global model for climate resilience and adaptation. From implementing advanced early warning systems for cyclones to promoting sustainable agriculture practices, government policies should reflect a comprehensive approach to climate mitigation and adaptation. The government should invest significantly in developing climate-resilient infrastructure. From elevated roads to cyclone shelters and these initiatives should aim to minimise the impact of extreme weather events on communities. Bangladesh should also make substantial strides in harnessing renewable energy sources. They should be committed to clean energy which may be evident in initiatives like the installation of solar power plants, promoting sustainable practices that reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. Realising the importance of transitioning to clean energy sources, the government should spearhead the country’s renewable energy revolution. The country has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, aiming to produce 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. This commitment not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also paves the way for a sustainable energy future. The country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) serves as a comprehensive blueprint for building resilience against climate-induced hazards. Recognising the importance of ecosystems in climate regulation, the government may develop a crucial afforestation strategy for combating climate change and reducing soil erosion.

In conclusion, we can sum up by saying that the preservation of the environment in the 21st century calls for a paradigm shift towards a low-carbon, zero-waste economy driven by individual and collective action. Key strategies for achieving this include reducing waste, following plant-based diets, leveraging renewable energy and participating in local environmental advocacy. Though life in the 21st century, compared to that of previous eras, is greatly facilitated by enormous processing power, immense storage capacities, unlimited access to information and unprecedented technological breakthroughs in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Autonomous Vehicles, 3-D Printing, Nanotechnology, Microbiology and Quantum Computing which are all mind-blowing experiences,  the very existence of human beings remains conditional upon the preservation of the environment. Species are in danger of going extinct at a rate 1,000 times higher than any other times in recorded history. Our Mother Earth is in urgent need of environmental stewardship against climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
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The writer is an academic, researcher, bilingual author, columnist, translator and former Vice Chancellor of Islamic University, Kushtia Bangladesh. He can be reached at [email protected]