Bangladesh Grapples with Worst Heatwave in Seven Decades

Bangladesh is experiencing its worst heatwave in seven decades, with temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F) in many parts of the country. The scorching heat has claimed lives, melted roads, and driven desperate citizens to seek relief in mosques and other cool spaces. In response to this crisis, social media influencers and concerned citizens are urging people to plant trees to make cities more livable.

The impact of heatwaves on urban populations is a pressing concern as climate change intensifies, and Bangladesh's experience serves as a warning to othertop, worst, cities worldwide. As the global temperature continues to rise, the need for sustainable urban planning and green infrastructure will become increasingly crucial to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.

The heatwave has exposed the vulnerability of Bangladesh's cities, particularly the capital Dhaka, to extreme weather events. Rapid urbanization, unplanned growth, and the loss of green spaces have exacerbated the urban heat island effect, making the city ill-prepared to cope with rising temperature, rose. Experts warn that without urgent action to increase tree cover and create more green spaces, the situation will only worsen as climate change intensifies.

Since 2012, over 66,000 trees have been planted across 22 districts in Bangladesh through the Green Savers program. Ahsan Rony, CEO of Green Savers, said, "We are seeing a surge of interest in our tree sponsorship program." Social media campaigns led by influencers and student groups have also galvanized support, with calls to plant hundreds of thousands of trees in a matter of days.

Why this matters: Community-driven initiatives are also making a difference. In Dhaka, photographer Mahmud Rahman has transformed a rubbish-filled space near Gulshan Lake into a verdant oasis, encouraging volunteers to help plant a diverse array of plants and herbs. Treena Bishop, a U.S. citizen living in Dhaka who volunteered with the project, said, "This is a great example of how the community is contributing to tree plantation in Dhaka... and I hope everybody should know how it works so that they can follow it."

However, experts caution that planting trees is not a panacea, especially in the scorchingheat, alert, extendedof summer. Amirul Rajiv, a photographer and activist, warned,"Planting new trees is not always the best answer, especially in the searing heat of summer. He emphasized the importance of protecting mature trees with large canopies, which provide essential shade and cooling benefits. Choosing the right species is also critical to avoid harming local biodiversity, according to Mohammad Zashim Uddin, professor of botany at the University of Dhaka.

As Bangladesh copes with the immediate crisis, long-term solutions are also being explored. City authorities have proposed plans for 55 new parks and 14 eco-parks to protect biodiversity and increase green cover. Researchers suggest using water management to cool the city and encouraging rooftop gardens and vertical greening on tall buildings. Environmental experts stress the need for a coordinated approach, tapping into the knowledge of specialists to develop a comprehensive plan for increasing green space in Dhaka.

The heatwave in Bangladesh serves as a vivid illustration of the urgent need to build resilience in the face of climate change. As temperatures continue to rise, the importance of trees and green spaces in creating livable cities has never been clearer. The grassroots movement to plant trees offers a glimmer of hope, demonstrating the power of collective action in the fight against global warming. Prof AKM Saiful Islam at the Institute of Water and Flood Management of Buet underscored the necessity of vegetation and water bodies, stating,"We need to have vegetation and water bodies more to absorb the heat in the capital. Otherwise, it will continue to rise. "may, fears, cyclone, met, office

Key Takeaways

• Bangladesh faces worst heatwave in 7 decades, with temps above 40°C (104°F).
• Heatwave exposes Dhaka's vulnerability to extreme weather due to rapid urbanization.
• Tree planting initiatives surge, with 66,000+ trees planted since 2012.
• Experts stress importance of protecting mature trees and choosing right species.
• Long-term solutions include new parks, eco-parks, and rooftop gardens to increase green cover.