Dhaka: Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today called upon the journalists to highlight Bangladesh’s homegrown climate news at global forums to secure necessary funds and global support. ‘Although the adverse impacts of climate change are hitting every sector of Bangladesh, the country’s own stories are not reaching the international stage adequately, making it difficult to secure necessary funds and global support. The media must play a leading role in building strong arguments for climate finance,’ he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the press secretary made these remarks during the inaugural session of a three-day training workshop titled ‘Navigating Climate Finance: Media Reporting’. The event was jointly organized by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) at the PKSF auditorium in the city. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed attended as the chief guest, while PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan presided over the session. ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky also addressed the gathering.
Shafiqul Alam emphasized Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change, highlighting that the country’s 18 crore people are directly at risk. He pointed out that while cyclones, floods, tidal surges, and saline intrusions are on the rise, Bangladesh’s stories are not being adequately projected on the global stage. He noted that even though foreign media occasionally report on the situation, local stories struggle to gain international traction.
He cited examples of local climate issues, such as the water crisis in Sylhet, salinity intrusion in the southwest, and water-logging in Bhobodoho, which are direct consequences of climate change. Despite receiving seasonal media coverage, these issues fail to make it to international discussions. Alam noted that each year, several lakhs of people are stranded in Bhobodoho, but the issue fades from media coverage once the season ends.
Alam stressed that the impact of climate change extends beyond natural disasters, affecting health, economy, and social stability. He mentioned the spread of dengue, maternal health crises, and fertility rate changes as examples of climate impacts. He argued that climate change influences every aspect of life, including social tensions and political instability, but these stories are not reaching a global audience. This lack of international exposure hinders Bangladesh from building strong cases for financial assistance.
Addressing the journalists, Alam emphasized the importance of climate journalism as a vital field. He encouraged Bangladeshi journalists to engage in in-depth, investigative reporting similar to internationally renowned journalists Bill McKibben and Elizabeth Kolbert.