Police thwart Rampal protests with teargas, rubber bullet

[Kandari-Hushiyaar]

This photo Became viral

 

[Nilgiri]

I'm, however, surprised at India's policies here. Okay, you need it to counter Chinese investments in the Bangladeshi power plants but you are ignoring the growing amount of anti-Indian sentiments among the masses with these protests. A country that aspires to be a global power can't really be concentrated on short term goals ignoring the long term consequences...

Thats fine, we want BD to be as polarised as possible so the end game can materialise sooner than later. BAL and SHW fits very well into this. If there is an identity crisis in BD, no point supporting both sides.....pick one and make sure it wins...at whatever cost.

 

[extra terrestrial]

Thats fine, we want BD to be as polarised as possible so the end game can materialise sooner than later. BAL and SHW fits very well into this. If there is an identity crisis in BD, no point supporting both sides.....pick one and make sure it wins...at whatever cost.

Polarised? Identity crisis?

Political or ideological differences are common in almost every country but when it comes to external threats, internal differences get blurred...

Then there will be groups from outside who would try to exploit these anti-India sentiments in acts against your country...

IMO, Indian policies and strategies are not prudent in any sense. It seems like they are only concerned with the short-term goals. That is definitely not a feature you would see in an aspiring global power.

Heck, India has even been shunned while discussing the future of Afghanistan... That explains you need to do a lot to build a global image...

A hostile neighborhood (in a genuine sense), wouldn't allow you to think beyond...

 

[Michael Corleone]

there is a rap song called... F*** da police- NWA
that's my reaction atm

 

[Nilgiri]

Polarised? Identity crisis?

Political or ideological differences are common in almost every country but when it comes to external threats, internal differences get blurred...

Then there will be groups from outside who would try to exploit these anti-India sentiments in acts against your country...

IMO, Indian policies and strategies are not prudent in any sense. It seems like they are only concerned with the short-term goals. That is definitely not a feature you would see in an aspiring global power.

Heck, India has even been shunned while discussing the future of Afghanistan... That explains you need to do a lot to build a global image...

A hostile neighborhood (in a genuine sense), wouldn't allow you to think beyond...

We ignore anti-Indian sentiment in BD because its in our interest to have it come out so BD keeps choking its own throat.

Every protest, every second spent doing something unproductive by BeeDees (esp anti-Indian ones), every internal conflict, every drop of blood spilled in violence by them is a net positive thing for India.

BD needs to be kept like this for as long as possible, hopefully forever. We will work with our friends in Myanmar to make it so.

No idea why you bring up Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a bilateral status friend for us, if certain multi-fora want to avoid us in the discussions, thats no problem, we continue our interaction one on one with Afghanistan for their security needs along with consulting in areas that matter with like minded countries. After all we gave them helicopter gunships, something BeeDee can't even afford in the first place.....and the Afghan people know the worth of friendship with India and how to sustain it on their terms......which is something BD can learn from...and if you don't want to, thats fine as well, we will simply enforce SHW, BAL on you as long as needed.

So I was against using real bullets last time, but I think its a good option for BAL to use on any further protests now. Kill a few 100 of the twerps and the issue is effectively over.

 

[extra terrestrial]

We ignore anti-Indian sentiment in BD because its in our interest to have it come out so BD keeps choking its own throat.

Every protest, every second spent doing something unproductive by BeeDees (esp anti-Indian ones), every internal conflict, every drop of blood spilled in violence by them is a net positive thing for India.

BD needs to be kept like this for as long as possible, hopefully forever. We will work with our friends in Myanmar to make it so.

No idea why you bring up Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a bilateral status friend for us, if certain multi-fora want to avoid us in the discussions, thats no problem, we continue our interaction one on one with Afghanistan for their security needs along with consulting in areas that matter with like minded countries. After all we gave them helicopter gunships, something BeeDee can't even afford in the first place.....and the Afghan people know the worth of friendship with India and how to sustain it on their terms......which is something BD can learn from...and if you don't want to, thats fine as well, we will simply enforce SHW, BAL on you as long as needed.

So I was against using real bullets last time, but I think its a good option for BAL to use on any further protests now. Kill a few 100 of the twerps and the issue is effectively over.

You are still stuck in the Cold War era... This is 21st century...

The relation between India and Hasina is a partnership, both are dependent on each other which is keeping the partnership going... Politics is all about using others to your own advantage. India is using Hasina, similarly, Hasina is using India. Now if one side feels that it doesn't need the other or that the partnership is becoming a loss project, it will obviously dump the other partner...

No matter how authoritarian a government is, it has to abide by the populist sentiments at one point to sustain its power. Then there are many stakeholders to that power... the military for example...

You brought Myanmar into the discussion, which shows you have a pretty poor understanding of the geopolitics of this region... Call them friends or even brothers, they don't really have the time or energy to invest in your "grand strategy" simply because they are busy with their own internal issues and a hostile or unstable Bangladesh won't serve their purpose... The diplomatic pressure over the Rohingya issue was so high that Suu Kyi had to dispatch her deputy to Bangladesh...

The reference to Afghanistan was to demonstrate how India is perceived as a global power. Ignoring India in the discussions shows that they don't feel India has a role to play in these issues. Frankly, those few off the shelf Mi 25s you gifted are not worth that much, especially given the security challenges the Afghans are facing... But see the way you are boasting it here looks like you have conquered Afghanistan... That's the whole point, the narrow thinking of Indians is the reason why they are rated so low...

You consider yourself a rival to the Chinese... Now take a look at their policies... From Bangladeshi context: China was staunchly against the independence of Bangladesh. They vetoed our admission to the UN not once but twice... They were even one of the last countries to recognize Bangladesh, as late as 1975... Yet, you would hardly find a single Bangladeshi who is anti-China... There is also a general consensus in both the political and military circle about the closer relations with China... Now that's what I would call a prudent policymaking from a global power... There is a reason why China is regarded as a potential super power, the OBOR initiative would take them quite close to reaching that status... IMHO, India would need generations to reach that level of thinking that the Chinese have been demonstrating...

I remember, in 2011 Manmohan Singh said 25% Bangladeshis are anti-India and according to him, they were mainly Jamaat supporters. But these Rampal protesters are from Leftist backgrounds... and if you ask me, over the years, the leftists have become more vocal against India than others... As a matter of fact, a significant portion of the Grand Alliance led by AL includes the leftist parties and according to many, a section of AL is also suspicious about India... These are the ground realities and this only goes on to show how India's image have deteriorated over the years... quite opposite to what your "rival" has achieved...

 

[Nilgiri]

You are still stuck in the Cold War era... This is 21st century...

The relation between India and Hasina is a partnership, both are dependent on each other which is keeping the partnership going... Politics is all about using others to your own advantage. India is using Hasina, similarly, Hasina is using India. Now if one side feels that it doesn't need the other or that the partnership is becoming a loss project, it will obviously dump the other partner...

No matter how authoritarian a government is, it has to abide by the populist sentiments at one point to sustain its power. Then there are many stakeholders to that power... the military for example...

You brought Myanmar into the discussion, which shows you have a pretty poor understanding of the geopolitics of this region... Call them friends or even brothers, they don't really have the time or energy to invest in your "grand strategy" simply because they are busy with their own internal issues and a hostile or unstable Bangladesh won't serve their purpose... The diplomatic pressure over the Rohingya issue was so high that Suu Kyi had to dispatch her deputy to Bangladesh...

The reference to Afghanistan was to demonstrate how India is perceived as a global power. Ignoring India in the discussions shows that they don't feel India has a role to play in these issues. Frankly, those few off the shelf Mi 25s you gifted are not worth that much, especially given the security challenges the Afghans are facing... But see the way you are boasting it here looks like you have conquered Afghanistan... That's the whole point, the narrow thinking of Indians is the reason why they are rated so low...

You consider yourself a rival to the Chinese... Now take a look at their policies... From Bangladeshi context: China was staunchly against the independence of Bangladesh. They vetoed our admission to the UN not once but twice... They were even one of the last countries to recognize Bangladesh, as late as 1975... Yet, you would hardly find a single Bangladeshi who is anti-China... There is also a general consensus in both the political and military circle about the closer relations with China... Now that's what I would call a prudent policymaking from a global power... There is a reason why China is regarded as a potential super power, the OBOR initiative would take them quite close to reaching that status... IMHO, India would need generations to reach that level of thinking that the Chinese have been demonstrating...

I remember, in 2011 Manmohan Singh said 25% Bangladeshis are anti-India and according to him, they were mainly Jamaat supporters. But these Rampal protesters are from Leftist backgrounds... and if you ask me, over the years, the leftists have become more vocal against India than others... As a matter of fact, a significant portion of the Grand Alliance led by AL includes the leftist parties and according to many, a section of AL is also suspicious about India... These are the ground realities and this only goes on to show how India's image have deteriorated over the years... quite opposite to what your "rival" has achieved...

We are equally dependent on SHW? LOL. She is an ends to a mean, she will be used and disposed (along with BAL)...and the cycle will be perpetuated.

I'm glad you took all this time to write something I am not even going to read past the first line. That's how irrelevant BD is.

BD is just a plaything for India, end of story. If that plaything needs to be bloodied under our henchlady to remind itself of its status, so be it. It costs India peanuts and our objectives are achieved.

 

[Species]

You are still stuck in the Cold War era... This is 21st century...

The relation between India and Hasina is a partnership, both are dependent on each other which is keeping the partnership going... Politics is all about using others to your own advantage. India is using Hasina, similarly, Hasina is using India. Now if one side feels that it doesn't need the other or that the partnership is becoming a loss project, it will obviously dump the other partner...

No matter how authoritarian a government is, it has to abide by the populist sentiments at one point to sustain its power. Then there are many stakeholders to that power... the military for example...

You brought Myanmar into the discussion, which shows you have a pretty poor understanding of the geopolitics of this region... Call them friends or even brothers, they don't really have the time or energy to invest in your "grand strategy" simply because they are busy with their own internal issues and a hostile or unstable Bangladesh won't serve their purpose... The diplomatic pressure over the Rohingya issue was so high that Suu Kyi had to dispatch her deputy to Bangladesh...

The reference to Afghanistan was to demonstrate how India is perceived as a global power. Ignoring India in the discussions shows that they don't feel India has a role to play in these issues. Frankly, those few off the shelf Mi 25s you gifted are not worth that much, especially given the security challenges the Afghans are facing... But see the way you are boasting it here looks like you have conquered Afghanistan... That's the whole point, the narrow thinking of Indians is the reason why they are rated so low...

You consider yourself a rival to the Chinese... Now take a look at their policies... From Bangladeshi context: China was staunchly against the independence of Bangladesh. They vetoed our admission to the UN not once but twice... They were even one of the last countries to recognize Bangladesh, as late as 1975... Yet, you would hardly find a single Bangladeshi who is anti-China... There is also a general consensus in both the political and military circle about the closer relations with China... Now that's what I would call a prudent policymaking from a global power... There is a reason why China is regarded as a potential super power, the OBOR initiative would take them quite close to reaching that status... IMHO, India would need generations to reach that level of thinking that the Chinese have been demonstrating...

I remember, in 2011 Manmohan Singh said 25% Bangladeshis are anti-India and according to him, they were mainly Jamaat supporters. But these Rampal protesters are from Leftist backgrounds... and if you ask me, over the years, the leftists have become more vocal against India than others... As a matter of fact, a significant portion of the Grand Alliance led by AL includes the leftist parties and according to many, a section of AL is also suspicious about India... These are the ground realities and this only goes on to show how India's image have deteriorated over the years... quite opposite to what your "rival" has achieved...

You are talking to an ugly ape who is a known troll with no intellectual capacity. Whatever you say, he will keep uttering the same shit like a broken tape-recorder.

 

[extra terrestrial]

You are talking to an ugly ape who is a known troll with no intellectual capacity. Whatever you say, he will keep uttering the same shit like a broken tape-recorder.

Well, parts of my post must have hurt his super power dreams...

It was not meant to offend anyone, rather to clarify certain misconceptions that many Indians perceive...

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Another coal mine discovered.Avoiding coal is not feasible for BD.

 

[Zabaniyah]

Another coal mine discovered.Avoiding coal is not feasible for BD.

A combination of renewable and non-renewable energy sources are the way to go for sustainable energy development. Clean coal technologies do exist.

I would prefer if that plant is build someplace else though.

I remember, in 2011 Manmohan Singh said 25% Bangladeshis are anti-India and according to him, they were mainly Jamaat supporters. But these Rampal protesters are from Leftist backgrounds... and if you ask me, over the years, the leftists have become more vocal against India than others... As a matter of fact, a significant portion of the Grand Alliance led by AL includes the leftist parties and according to many, a section of AL is also suspicious about India... These are the ground realities and this only goes on to show how India's image have deteriorated over the years... quite opposite to what your "rival" has achieved...

"The attitude of most of Indian political leaders, senior officials, business magnates and strategic thinkers towards Bangladesh has been one of disdain and apathy. Very few of these people either understand the dynamics of the domestic politics of Bangladesh or have grasped the full import of Indo-Bangladesh relations."
-Muchkund Dubey.

 

[Banglar Bir]

DEBATE OVER RAMPAL POWER PLANT : EIA grossly faulty

The Sundarbans, a magnificent and unique ecosystem of the world, faces an existential crisis today with the coal-fired power plant to be set up at Rampal. It has been a content of discord between environmentalist and those who are pushing the plant. Both sides are giving out their own arguments in favour of and against the plant to be set up within 14 kilometers of the mangrove forest.

The Daily Star wants to bring to the public the arguments and the counterarguments that the protagonists and antagonists of the plant have to make.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a leading environmental attorney and chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA), talks with Pinaki Roy.

The Daily Star (TDS): If we go through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Rampal, we see it answers everything. I mean, it mentions coal-transportation, management of fly ash and toxic chemicals. Then why should we distrust the company or why should we be anxious about the Sundarbans?

Hasan: I do not agree the EIA report has answers to every question.
The EIA of Rampal is very evasive and vague on a number of crucial issues. I shared the EIA report with my peers in India who regularly monitor environmental implications of development projects and challenge the same when appropriate through legal platforms.
The analysis that I received from the EIA Resource and Response Centre of India clearly records that the EIA is grossly deficient and faulty on major accounts that include cumulative impact assessment, study on radiation, quantitative assessment, proper and effective public consultation, site selection, coal source and so on.

It mentioned the fact India's EIA Manual on Thermal Power Plants (TPP) suggests location of TPPs to be at least 25 kilometers from the outermost periphery of Ecologically Sensitive Areas.

The analysis also cited example of suspension of a Thermal Power Plant for its close proximity to mangrove. This order for suspension came from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) relying on the “precautionary principle” and the “sustainable development” approach that have not at all been reflected in the (Rampal) EIA document.

TDS: The company and the officials of the PDB and the ministry have been talking about several modern technologies to be used in the Rampal power plant. Why do you think, the Sundarbans will be damaged even after using those technologies?

Hasan: I have not heard of a foolproof coal power generation process. I have heard of worst, bad, and better. The propaganda on Rampal is a “look good” campaign and it can satisfy only those who are predetermined to go ahead rather than follow the shifts in the global energy scenario.
If you want to make it “better”, the investment required will render futile the pleadings for cheap energy which again is a misnomer as highly credible international research has already proven it to be cost-ineffective.
If one adds the environmental risks, the real value of costs is really prohibitive.
I believe that the project will harm the Sundarbans because multiple national and international scientific analyses have shown extremely reliable evidence of its harmful effects.

The contrary analyses have come only from the project proponents, their hired consultants, paid experts and other blind supporters. I have little or no confidence on the assurances of the company and the government players because their track records are questionable. I request everyone to search for the track record of NTPC.
It is clear that the Expert Appraisal Committee on EIA of TPP in 2010 and 2011 expressed their dissatisfaction about the fly ash management of NTPC. The ash pond management and in general the environment management of the company has given rise to major tensions in Angul, Korba, Visakhapatnam, Talcher and recently in Kudgi, and Baijarpur where local farmers are opposing a 4000 MW plant of NTPC and are demanding (June, 2016) that the company executes security bonds before commencing construction of the plant.
In 2011, the Orissa government asked NTPC to shut down completely the 2,000 MW stage-II of Talcher Super Thermal Power Station amid concerns over fly ash management.

Coming to our own government, can anyone answer how much compensation Niko or Occidental has paid to the people of Bangladesh for blowing our vital gas reserves with their sheer negligence?
How many government run industries have ETPs that are functional?
Has anyone paid any compensation for the three incidents of sinking of cargo ships in the Shela, Bhola and Passur rivers of the Sundarbans that we witnessed in 2014 and 2015?

Since we can't answer any of these questions in the positive, let us not be pretentious and fool ourselves.

TDS: There were allegations or we have heard, the government violated some rules and environment laws since the beginning. For instance, they started development of the site before taking any site clearance. Did the government really violate rules or bend laws in Rampal?

Hasan: In approving Rampal, the government and the company surely have misinterpreted and undermined national and international laws. In interpreting laws, we do not read the exact words only. We read the provisions and the spirit and read between the lines. I strongly contend that in signing the agreement and in starting the work, serious violations of environmental and forest laws have been committed while international laws on protected area management have been grossly undermined.

TDS: The Sundarbans are threatened in many other ways like unchecked tourism, poaching, illegal logging, and unplanned development going on in the area. Why are the environmentalists not raising their voices?

Hasan: Those who blame the environmentalists for not raising voices against these are uninformed. Even if it were true that we have not been effectively campaigning against these malpractices, will it not be wise for the government to take it on itself as the legal mandate to protect the Sundarbans rests with it?
If the ecology of the Sundarbans is threatened and the government knew of it, why didn't the government declare the Sundarbans an Ecologically Critical Area under section 5 of the ECA and take special protective measures?
The attempt to have a polluting industry by the side of an already ailing eco-system is like killing your ailing mother.
Do you kill your mother when she is sick or do you take her to the doctor and treat her?

TDS: Recently we have seen reports, the ministry of Environment and Forest has approved around 150 industries in the ECA zone.

Hasan: Such authorizations are beyond their legal mandate and should be immediately scrapped.

TDS: Currently the people living around the Sundarbans are mainly involved in illegal logging, and poaching. But the Rampal power plant would help to develop the southern region of the country and eventually it will help create job opportunities for the poor people. What are your views on that?

Hasan: Such arguments are faulty, deceptive, humiliating and demeaning for the poor communities and run against their constitutionally guaranteed right to profession. If there were illegalities, why didn't the Forest Department check that? The project can only employ a few technical persons for a length of time. I cannot see a woodcutter or a honey collector becoming a full time employee of the company as they do not have the required technical expertise and probably are not willing to serve the company responsible for the loss of their ancestral professions.

TDS: Don't you think we should accept some damages to the environment or the Sundarbans for the sake of development?

Hasan: An emphatic “no”; Sundarbans is non-negotiable.
It is not ours only, it belongs to the entire global community and we are mere custodians.
We can't afford to take minimum risk with the Sundarbans given that there is one and only one Sundarbans and that alternative sites, technologies and processes are available and are affordable.
If, respecting the public opinion, the Sri Lankan government could scrap (on 18 May, 2016) the 500 MW coal plant deal with India, can Bangladesh not do the same?

TDS: Are you against coal power plant? If so what is your alternative proposal for electricity generation?

Hasan: As an environmentalist and knowing the major reason behind today's climate crisis, I have no hesitation in affirming my anti-coal position. Things do not change overnight but you have to have the right vision to set things on the right track. I think as the fastest adopter of solar energy, Bangladesh has a great potential for renewables. I believe that an energy revolution is possible, particularly when the country already has a Renewable Energy Policy (2008) and has set up Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority that is working to achieve a target of 10% of renewable energy by 2020. I strongly feel that this target should be increased and replace the 50% target set for coal energy by 2025, if not 2020.

Yes, I am aware that the developed countries and the BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) are heavily coal or fossil fuel dependent.
But I also know that this is the precise reason for the climate catastrophe. I am also aware of the fact that half of the 55 lakh people who die every year on account of air pollution live in China and India, a major source of which is coal burning.
China now gets bottled air from the Rocky Mountains for its citizens to breathe.
Why should we follow their footsteps in making the world even more dangerous? Germany has already made a major shift and just celebrated the 19th of May, 2016 as a day when the Germans got almost all of their power from renewable sources.

Are we not aware that Iceland, Norway and Denmark are following the German footstep while South Africa, China and USA have made significant investments in renewables as they intend to steadily shift from fossil?
The renewable energy policy of India is very encouraging and so is the fact that the Green Tribunal of the country has stopped a good number of Thermal power plants solely on environmental considerations.
If India can decide to halt its coal import in 2-3 years, cancel at least four proposed coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 16 gigawatts, and provide low cost loans and grants for renewables, can Bangladesh not follow the same steps?

Today or tomorrow, we will all have to switch to renewables as those are the only sustainable resources while others, be it gas, coal or oil, will deplete, sooner or later.

(Lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan is an environmental attorney and chief executive of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA), a pioneer in public interest litigation in Bangladesh. She spearheaded a legal battle resulting in increased government regulations and heightened public awareness in environmental issues. She received the Ramon Magsaysay award and the Goldman environmental prize among other international awards.)
Debate on Rampal Between PM Hasina and VP AL Gore

 

[Banglar Bir]

Beximco to set up 200MW solar power plant in Gaibandha with Chinese company
Aminur Rahman Rasel
Published at 12:56 AM October 27, 2017

Under the agreement, the PDB will purchase electricity from TSL’s plant for 20 years at the tariff of 15 US cents per kilowatt hour
Teesta Solar Limited (TSL), a joint venture of Bangladesh’s Beximco Power Company Ltd and China’s TBEA Xinjiang Sunoasis Co Ltd has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Power Development Board (PDB) to develop a 200 MW (AC) solar power plant in Gaibandha.

Under the agreement, the PDB will purchase electricity from TSL’s plant for 20 years at the tariff of 15 US cents per kilowatt hour.

Beximco Power will hold 80 % share of the venture while the rest portion will belong to the Chinese firm.

TSL also inked an implementation agreement (IA) with Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) Limited in this regard.

PDB Secretary Mina Masud Uzzaman and TSL Managing Director M Rafiqul Islam signed the PPA on behalf of respective companies.

Sheikh Faezul Amin, joint secretary of Power Division and M Ashraf Hossain, company secretary of PGCB, signed the IA on respective sides’ behalf at Bidyut Bhaban in Dhaka, where State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid was present as chief guest.

ASF Rahman, Chairman of Beximco Group, and Salman F Rahman, vice-chairman of the conglomerate, also attended the event, where Power Division Secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus and PDB Chairman Khaled Mahmood addressed, among others.

Claiming that renewable energy like solar power holds the key to the future, Dr Kaikaus said: “We have targeted to generate at least 10% power from renewable sources by the year 2020, majority of which will come from solar panels.”

Meanwhile, Rafiqul told the Dhaka Tribune that the plant will bring multifarious socio-economic changes in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha.

He said there will be a great uplift of total communication infrastructure in the area as roads will be built to help connect with the project site.

“Moreover, a project of this size will create hundreds of employments,” said the TSL managing director.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/banglad...-solar-power-plant-gaibandha-chinese-company/

 

[Banglar Bir]

05:04 PM, October 30, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 05:28 PM, October 30, 2017
Concentration of CO2 in atmosphere hits record high: UN

The report also said that the last time Earth experienced similar CO2 concentration rates was three to five million years ago, when the sea level was up to 20 metres (66 feet) higher than now. Photo: AFP
AFP Relax news
The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has hit a new high, the UN said Monday, warning that drastic action is needed to achieve targets set by the Paris climate agreement.
"Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere surged at a record-breaking speed in 2016," the World Meteorological Organization said.

"Globally averaged concentrations of CO2 reached 403.3 parts per million in 2016, up from 400.00 ppm in 2015 because of a combination of human activities and a strong El Nino event," it said.

The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the UN weather agency's annual flagship report, tracks the continent of dangerous gasses in atmosphere in the post-industrial era (since 1750).

The report also said that the last time Earth experienced similar CO2 concentration rates was three to five million years ago, when the sea level was up to 20 metres (66 feet) higher than now.

"Without rapid cuts in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, we will be heading for dangerous temperature increases by the end of this century, well above the target set by the Paris climate change agreement," WMO chief Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

The historic agreement approved by 196 countries two years ago is facing renewed pressure following US President Donald Trump's decision to quit the accord.

But nations are set to press on with the task of implementing it at climate talks in Bonn next week.

"The numbers don't lie. We are still emitting far too much and this needs to be reversed," the head of UN Environment Erik Solheim said in a statement, reacting to the new report.

"What we need now is global political will and a new sense of urgency."

The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin tracks concentrations of gasses in the atmosphere, rather than emissions with data compiled from a monitoring station in Mauna Loa, Hawaii.
http://www.thedailystar.net/environment/concentration-co2-atmosphere-hits-record-high-1483876

 

[EastBengalPro]

dont want to see any development related activity anywhere near Sundarbans