Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Mayor of the Khulna City Corporation, has said, “The coastal areas of Bangladesh are encountering a severe and pressing scenario that requires our direct attention without delay. The complete coastal stretch is at risk to diverse environmental and societal difficulties that are becoming increasingly perilous on a daily basis.”
He said these while speaking as the chief guest at an Idea Contest Event titled “Khulna Envoframe: Climate Soluitions for Sustainable Future” held at Khulna University on Saturday (August 12, 2023).
Talukder Abdul Khaleque said that environmental pollution and climate change affect our lives differently. “We often don’t realize it, but there is no way to avoid its impact. That is why our behavior and mentality should be based on environmentally friendly solutions,” he said.
Mentioning that the impact of climate change should be kept in mind, he added that climate change is a big challenge for the present and future generations and there is a dire need for young leadership in this regard. He commented that everyone has a responsibility to contribute from their place.
Barrister Selim Altaf George, MP, and Mir Mostaque Ahmed Robi, MP attended the event as special guests.
Professor Dr. Mahmood Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University, chaired the session, while Professor Md. Sanaul Islam, Head of the Soil, Water and Environment discipline; Associate Professor Asma Ul Husna, Head of the Development Studies discipline; Professor Md. Sharif Hasan Limon, Director of Student Affairs; and Professor Khan Golam Quddus, Registrar of the Khulna University also addressed the audience on the same matter. Morshedul Bari, Co-Founder & CEO of Envolead and Mamun Mia, Executive Director of The Earth Society also attended the event.
The event was hosted by Envolead Ltd. in association with Climate Parliament-Bangladesh, Earth Society, and Towards Sustainability.
At Khulna University, environmental enthusiasts from about 22 universities and colleges within Khulna Division came together to offer their invaluable knowledge and expertise in the fight against climate change.
At the event, compelling narratives, novel solutions, and evidence of positive impact to bolster support for the SDGs were submitted by the participating teams.
"Eco Tide Visionaries"' won the first prize in the event with an extraordinary solution idea. "Eco Warriors" and "Coastal Geo Guardians" secured the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up positions respectively. A total of 36 teams from different universities submitted ideas to the contest and five teams selected in the final round presented their solution ideas. 1st place winner BDT 50 thousand, 1st runner-up BDT 30 thousand and 2nd runner-up awarded BDT 20 thousand as prize.
“Khulna ENVOFRAME: CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE" is a visual storytelling competition particularly designed to highlight the stories of the coastal people of Bangladesh especially of the Satkhira-Khulna belt. Coastal regions of Bangladesh are facing a critical and urgent situation that demands our immediate attention. The entire coastal belt is vulnerable to various environmental and social challenges which are getting lethal day by day. Empowering coastal communities, fostering newer adaptation strategies, and finding innovative solutions are not just desirable; they are absolutely essential. Lives are at stake, livelihoods are on the line, and the very existence of these communities is under threat. We cannot afford to stand idly by while these challenges continue to escalate. That is why Envolead welcomed youth advocates of the Khulna division to present the pressing challenges of the coastal communities and provide compatible solutions.
Renowned journalist, Mohsin Ul Hakim, Special Correspondent of Jamuna Television; Ashoke Adhikary, Regional Project Manager-Khulna Regional Office, Gender-Responsive Coastal Adaptation Project, UNDP Bangladesh and Tania Noor, Innovation & Sustainability Advisor of EnvoLead Ltd, were among the judges.
