The country is reeling under an unbearable heat wave. Pabna’s Ishwardi recorded the highest temperature of the country with 43 degrees Celsius. A severe heat wave is now sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Dhaka, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Manikganj, Narayanganj, Rajshahi and Pabna. Such weather may continue till today, according to Met office. Gradual rise in temperature is being witnessed in almost all districts of the country. Global warming has made heat waves more severe. This is not only true for our country, but also for the entire world.

The phenomenon of increasing temperature adversely affects the environment. It is behind a rise in sea level, leading to the loss of coastal land, a change in precipitation patterns, increased risks of droughts and floods, and threats to biodiversity. At this period when global warming is making heat waves more severe, trees are stationary superheroes. They can lower air temperature especially in city neighbourhoods. They also reduce electricity demand for air conditioning, thereby helping avoid potentially catastrophic power failures during heat waves. Trees are, quite simply, the most effective strategy to guard against heat. They are important in both cities and rural areas.