Shahnaz Begum:  Journalists interested in covering the climate conference and participating, Rana Mohammad Sohail, MP, advised them to focus on specific topics and contribute valuable reports from the conference to help mitigate climate damage, whether locally or globally. The primary coordinator of the workshop was Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chair of the Environment Science Department at Stamford University and Chair of CAPS (Center for Air Pollution Studies). In his address as the workshop’s president, Jafar Wazed, the Director-General of PIB, stated that there is a lot of talk about climate in previous climate conferences, but not many results have been seen. However, at the upcoming COP28 conference in Dubai, we need to focus on achieving tangible outcomes.

The closing ceremony of the event was presided over by Zafar Wazed and certificate distribution ceremony, where Rana Mohammad Sohail, MP from Nilphamari-3 constituency and member of parliamentary standing committee on finance ministry, spoke on the occasion as the chief guest.  Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, deputy head of Development Cooperation Environment and Climate Change at Sweden Embassy to Bangladesh; attended the event as special guest.

The workshop, held over two days and organized by the Center for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) and the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) in collaboration with nine other environmental organizations, took place at the conference room of the Press Institute of Bangladesh. The workshop to enhance the skills of journalists and prepare them for covering COP28 with the theme “Journalism in the Age of Climate Action: COP28 Coverage Strategies and Mentoring.” With the participation of over a hundred journalists and media workers, the workshop aimed to enhance their skills and provide mentoring.

On the other hand, in Bangladesh, if the temperature increases by an additional 2 degrees Celsius, droughts will likely spread to the southern and central regions of the country. This can have a significant impact on food security, as pointed out by the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Dr. A.S.M. Maksud Kamal said that when the training workshop began on Friday morning (November 3).

As part of preparations for upcoming COP-28 news coverage, a two-day training workshop titled “Journalism in the Age of Climate Action: COP28 Coverage Strategies and Mentoring” was inaugurated. During his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Dr. Kamal made these remarks. Also he explained that despite discussions about loss and damage at previous climate conferences (COPs), there hasn’t been much talk about funding. Due to climate change, temperatures are rising in different countries worldwide while decreasing in some areas. The increase in temperature is reducing people’s productivity.

He emphasized that the green industry is now vital. However, the question remains about who will provide the necessary funding for it. Bangladesh is among the top seven countries most affected by climate change. If the world can limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, it will reduce the risk of disasters.

Professor Dr. Ainun Nishat, an expert on water resource management and climate change in Bangladesh; and other eminent environmental and hydrological experts provided training in skill development for journalists, yesterday. Md. Shashuddha, an executive at the ‘Center for Participatory Research and Development’ (CPRD) mentioned that the rapid climate change people are witnessing is primarily due to the use of biomass for fuel. People are extracting coal, gas, and oil from the earth for energy production. These fossil fuels power factories, vehicles and electrical appliances in homes.