AS THE world came together for COP29 in Baku, the need to tackle climate change has never been more urgent. The Conference of the Parties, or COP, is a UN initiative that began in 1995 to address the growing climate crisis. The foundation for global climate action was laid much earlier at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Although we have had decades of discussions, real progress often appears听 agonizingly slow. A key demand in past conferences has been the creation of a global climate fund. Unfortunately, this has often been sidelined or addressed in ways that did not go far enough. While such funds can help to mitigate some of the damage, they cannot replace what has already been lost for good.
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Slow death of earth
CLIMATE change is like a slow-moving illness 鈥� silent but deeply damaging. We often ignore the gradual decline of our planet, chasing short-term benefits instead of thinking about long-term sustainability. The magpie robin, or 鈥榙oyel鈥�, the national bird of Bangladesh, was once a familiar and frequent sight. It is nearly gone now. Money alone cannot fix what has been lost. While a climate fund might help to cover some costs, it cannot heal ecosystems or stop the loss of biodiversity. It cannot undo the harm that we have done to the nature or make up for the collective failures to protect it.
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Role at COP
BANGLADESH has truly stepped up as a leading voice in the global climate conversation, especially at COP28. Bangladesh secured a $700 million fund to address loss and damage caused by climate change and pushed for a fair distribution of resources for both adaptation and mitigation. Bangladesh also played a crucial role in calling out the unfulfilled $100 billion annual commitment from developed nations.
As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Bangladesh entered COP29 with a renewed sense of urgency. Rising global temperature, more frequent natural disasters and the loss of biodiversity continued to demand global attention and support. The focus remains on three important areas: securing climate finance, putting adaptation plans to action and strengthening disaster recovery efforts.
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Physical toll of climate change
THE physical impact of climate change are visible across the world. Bangladesh has been no exception. Rising sea levels have already submerged parts of coastal regions, displacing millions. Erratic monsoon patterns, prolonged droughts and devastating floods disrupt agriculture, threaten food security and endanger livelihood.
A 2022 report of the World Meteorological Organization showed that in Asia alone, 81 weather- and climate-related disasters caused more than 5,000 deaths, affected more than 50 million people and resulted in economic damage exceeding $36 billion. The physical toll also extends to human health 鈥� heatwaves, respiratory diseases caused by air pollution and waterborne illnesses because of stagnant floodwater.
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Mental health in climate change
CLIMATE change does not only impact ecosystems. It takes a toll on mental health, too. A study published in the Frontiers highlights how extreme weather events such as flood, heatwave and hurricane 鈥� along with gradual changes such as rising sea levels 鈥� fuel psychological distress. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and eco-anxiety are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Particularly vulnerable groups 鈥� women, children, the elderly and indigenous communities 鈥� bear the brunt of the challenges. In addition, phenomena such as 鈥榮olastalgia鈥�, or grief over environmental changes, are emerging as chronic stressors for the rural and the indigenous population. Urban dwellers are not immune either. The young generation and women are disproportionately experiencing 鈥榓rrested mourning,鈥� a state of emotional paralysis tied to climate distress. Addressing such mental health crises requires fostering community resilience, reconnecting people with nature and encouraging active climate engagement.
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Protecting biodiversity
OUR planet鈥檚 biodiversity, the delicate balance of life, is facing threats as it never did before. National Audubon Society research shows that climate refugia, safe havens where species can thrive, are disappearing at an alarming rate. If global temperatures rise by just 3掳C, many of these vital habitats could vanish, setting off a chain reaction that would disrupts food chains and the entire ecosystems.
Bangladesh, along with other nations, has a real stake in protecting biodiversity and aligning efforts with global initiatives such as the 30x30 pledge, committing to safeguard 30 per cent of the world鈥檚 land and water by 2030. By investing in renewable energy, conserving natural habitats and focusing on climate-resilient areas, we can all play a role in slowing biodiversity loss and ensure a more sustainable future for all species.
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Cost of inaction
CONSEQUENCES of ignoring climate change are becoming harder to ignore. According to the UN Environment Programme, global temperatures have already risen by 1.1掳C since pre-industrial times, leading to more frequent and severe natural disasters. The Paris agreement set a goal to limit global warming to 2掳C, but experts keep reminding us that we need to stay below 1.5掳C. That extra 0.5掳C could make all the difference. Coral reefs, polar ecosystems and the livelihood of millions have already started facing the threat of rising sea levels.
This harsh reality makes events such as COP29 and the G20 Summit absolutely critical for addressing the climate crisis. But here is the disappointing part. While COP29 is all about hammering out climate strategies, many of the world鈥檚 leaders chose to prioritise economic and geopolitical concerns at G20 instead. Even more concerning is that some of the most high-profile leaders attended the G20 but skipped COP29 altogether. This appears like a clear sign of indifference to the climate emergency we are facing. The very countries responsible for the bulk of global carbon emissions are the ones sitting out the most important climate talks, proving that there is a huge gap between their words and actions.
By selectively engaging in climate discussions, especially the high-emitting nations, they deepen the divide between promises and the progress. Meanwhile, it is countries such as Bangladesh, on the front lines of this crisis, that continue to bear the heaviest burden of inaction.
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G20 and COP29
AT COP29 in Baku and the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, global discussions converged on addressing climate change, poverty and inequality. The G20 countries, responsible for three-quarters of global carbon emissions, issued a statement, supporting climate finance, yet the emphasis on funding from 鈥榓ll sources鈥� drew criticism for prioritising loans over grants for vulnerable nations.
Despite the $100 billion annual pledge by wealthy countries, demands for increased financial aid persist, underscoring the gap between promises and delivery. Greenpeace鈥檚 Jesper Inventor acknowledged the positive rhetoric of G20 leaders but stressed the need for enforceable outcomes as COP29 concludes.
Bangladesh, as a climate-vulnerable nation, continues to advocate renewable energy, flood management and resilient crops while leveraging the forums for equitable finance and technology transfer. Meanwhile, Brazilian president Lula da Silva proposed a groundbreaking 2 per cent tax on the super-rich, potentially generating $250 billion annually to address inequality and climate challenges. Such measures offer hope for nations such as Bangladesh, which face intertwined crises of poverty and climate vulnerability.
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Moving forward together
DESPITE the monumental challenges, viable solutions are within reach. Transitioning to renewable energy, reducing methane emissions and investing in nature-based solutions can mitigate the worst effects of climate change while creating economic opportunities.
Bangladesh鈥檚 leadership at COP29 serves as a beacon for collective action. As the world stands at a crossroads, countries must translate their commitments into enforceable actions to secure a sustainable future for the planet and humanity.
The fight against climate change demands more than funds or policies. It requires empathy, accountability and a profound reevaluation of how we value the earth. The true cost of inaction is not just environmental degradation but a fundamentally altered world for future generations.
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Nafew Sajed Joy is a writer and researcher.
