Why should Bangladesh suffer for climate crimes of others?

My father used to say, “The country seems to be changing slowly. Compassion among people is fading away.” My mother would reply, “The whole world is like that. Might makes right. People are becoming increasingly cruel.”

As a child, those conversations between my parents did not mean much to me. I did not understand how selfish the world could be. But as I grew older and became educated, I realized that the history of human civilization itself is filled with cruelty. It is a history of conflict, exploitation, plunder, and domination. Across the world, the powerful rule while the helpless perish by the roadside. Criminals live in comfort and luxury. The ambitions of the powerfuls have know no limits, and many satisfy those ambitions through both legal and illegal means. They feast on abundance while ordinary people struggle under the crushing weight of poverty.

Now let me come to the main point. Today’s climate crisis is not a natural accident. Most of us know that. We also know that this crisis is the result of decades, indeed centuries, of human actions. We live in a country where the air is polluted and the weather has become unbearably hot. Yet those who created this crisis continue to live comfortably and prosperously. Meanwhile, the unfortunate people of our country suffer and struggle under relentless heat.

Global warming is not something that suddenly descended from the sky. We know that it is rooted in the long-term, uncontrolled use of fossil fuels to drive industrialization. We also know that those who have destroyed forests and embraced limitless consumerism have become the models of development and the leaders of the modern world. They enjoy prosperity and abundance, while children in my country go to sleep hungry, waiting for food that may never come. Sometimes they manage to eat a simple meal; sometimes the homeless people search food through garbage bins in search of something to satisfy their hunger.

We know, the First Industrial Revolution began roughly between 1760 and 1840. It introduced steam power, mechanized textile production, and the expansion of iron and coal industries. The Second Industrial Revolution, which began around 1870 and continued until 1914, brought electricity, advances in steel production, the expansion of railways and motor vehicles, and the growth of large-scale industries.

In many ways, the roots of global warming can be traced back to these industrial revolutions. It was during this period that large-scale air pollution first emerged. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Europe and later the United States experienced rapid economic growth through industrialization. Their prosperity expanded enormously. Their lifestyles became increasingly comfortable and luxurious.

Yet while they enjoyed the fruits of industrial progress, workers in my country continue to struggle merely to survive. After laboring all day for a meager income, many return home late at night after overtime by walking miles to reach overcrowded shelters. They wait in line to use communal kitchens and shared bathrooms. Three or four families often live in a single room, sharing one bathroom and one cooking space. They go to bed at two or three in the morning and leave again before dawn to work. Lack of adequate sleep gradually takes a toll on their bodies. Their lives are mechanical, exhausting, and consumed by the daily struggle for survival. Most manage to prepare nothing more than rice and a single vegetable dish, while widespread malnutrition affects both parents and their children.

To power factories, electricity plants, railways, ships, and motor vehicles, Europe and America burned enormous quantities of coal, oil, and gas. During that era, the Earth's atmosphere was treated as though it were an unlimited dumping ground. Billions of tons of carbon dioxide, methane, and other heat-trapping gases were released into the atmosphere by industrialized nations. These gases have remained in the atmosphere for centuries, trapping heat and warming the planet.

Today’s global warming is the direct consequence of that long history. Yet it is countries like ours in the developing world that are paying the price.

Those responsible for environmental degradation drink from golden goblets, while people in my country stand in floodwaters until sores develop on their feet. They die from diarrheal diseases because they lack access to safe drinking water. They developed their economies, but we are paying the cost. They became wealthy through industrialization and continue to enjoy its benefits, while we suffer the consequences of melting Himalayan glaciers and increasingly severe floods.

People in our country die from hunger, malnutrition and diseases without better treatment. Crops are destroyed. Communities suffer from shortages of clean drinking water. Flood-related diseases claim lives. Snake bites and attacks by venomous insects cause preventable deaths. Farmers lose their harvests and are driven into poverty. Many are forced to leave their villages and migrate to cities in search of livelihoods, only to endure inhumane living conditions in overcrowded slums.

Will climate justice remain confined to speeches delivered at COP conferences? At every climate summit, world leaders speak eloquently about justice, rights, and humanity. Their speeches are filled with noble ideals and inspiring promises. Listening to them, one might think they possess limitless compassion and goodwill. They appear to be deeply concerned about humanity and the future of the planet.

But have they truly compensated the countries that have suffered the greatest losses? Have they made sufficient efforts to reduce the damage through fair and equitable climate financing?

Have world leaders created employment opportunities for the people of Bangladesh who have been impoverished by floods and climate-related disasters? They have not. Yet such support is not charity. It is the legitimate right of the deprived and vulnerable people of this country. Providing resources for the rehabilitation of those harmed by environmental destruction is a moral responsibility owed by the international community.

Have the polluting nations provided adequate financing to secure the rights and dignity of these vulnerable people? They have not. The answer to this question will determine how just, humane, and sustainable the future world will be. The countries that built modern infrastructure, ensured advanced healthcare, created high-income economies, and secured comfortable lives for their citizens through technological advancement continue to enjoy the privileges of economic prosperity. Yet many of those same countries are responsible for the pollution that now harms us.

Often our fields are flooded. Our farmers are driven into poverty and despair. Drought prevents many from growing crops at all. No one has explained to them why droughts occur or why floods have become more frequent and severe. Simple farmers often believe that these disasters are divine punishments. They think floods and droughts occur because God has willed them. They do not realize that human actions have played a significant role in creating these crises. They have never accused the polluters. They have never demanded accountability from those responsible. Instead, they accept every disaster as an act of fate.

Those who have reached the peak of development by destroying the environment are not bearing the environmental costs. The countries that have contributed the least to environmental pollution are the ones paying the price for it. Yet they are only minimally responsible for this pollution. It is like a judgment where one person sets a fire, but another person receives the punishment. These same countries speak of human rights.

Certainly, those countries that emit the most carbon into the atmosphere must behave in a just and humane manner. If they do not act humanely, the wounds of the world will never heal. It will never be possible to build an equitable world. The saying, “Might makes right,” will not remain valid forever. If the hungry have no food in their stomachs, they too will become resistant and protest, and one day they will seek revenge. The perpetrators will not escape the fire of that revenge. A time will come when they will have to pay the price, and while paying that price, the entire world will become unstable. No one will be spared from this heated state of massacre. If a fire breaks out somewhere, it will spare neither temples, churches, mosques, nor any other place of worship.

Our country is not among the world’s highest polluting nations. Yet Bangladesh is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change. The soil, air, and water of Bangladesh are suffering. Bangladesh’s total greenhouse gas emissions are extremely small compared to global emissions. Yet heatwaves, floods, river erosion, droughts, and cyclones are increasing in intensity in this country. Sea levels are rising and salinity is increasing. In other words, someone else committed the crime, but Bangladesh is becoming the victim.

What kind of cruel injustice is this against us? Why is there so much inequality? What kind of injustice is this? Why are world leaders not sitting together to protect the balance of the Earth? Even when they do sit together, they make beautiful speeches, but why do they not implement meaningful decisions?

Those who are causing global damage must provide the financial resources to compensate for it. This is our rightful claim. This is not charity. Protecting the Earth is everyone’s responsibility, but those who have polluted more have greater responsibility and greater liability. Those who have benefited more bear greater responsibility.

For this reason, the Government of Bangladesh must speak courageously. It must present this issue to the United Nations and make its case logically. Climate funds must be demanded as compensation. Our government must be strong. It must become even stronger to protect the soil and people of my country. It must say in a firm voice:

“We want our fair share. We want partnership in just and sustainable development. It is not enough merely to hand SDG goals to national leaders on paper. Financial allocations must be provided to achieve those goals. Our country needs not only loans but also non-repayable climate funds. These are compensation funds, and they are our rightful share. Those who cause the damage are responsible for providing them. We are not asking for mercy. Once our rights are given, the matter is settled.”

You may all have noticed that the summers of Bangladesh today are no longer what they used to be. In my childhood, I climbed many trees and picked fruits to eat. When I was in Class Five, I used to climb to the top of huge tamarind trees and pick tamarinds. Carrying them in the fold of my pants, I would bring them back, and the girls of the neighborhood would sit together in a circle in a field or garden and eat them. What joy it was.

Now, if someone touches a tree belonging to another person, the owner may beat them severely. In the past, children used to pick fruits from the owner’s trees and eat together in groups. The owner would often sit with us and eat, and we all enjoyed ourselves together. Picking a few mangoes or tamarinds from someone’s tree was not considered a crime. Rather, the owners would say, “They are children. Of course they will pick and eat some fruit. Let them eat.” We would tell our elders, “Grandfather, we are going to the orchard.” They would reply, “Go then, but don’t fall from the tree and break your leg.”

Once, summer meant mangoes, jackfruits, lychees, and the smell of ripe paddy. Now summer means unbearable temperatures, heat stroke, the risk of death for working people, disruption of educational activities, reduced productivity, and the exhausted, sweat-soaked bodies of workers, farmers, rickshaw pullers, and day laborers working under the open sky. They are the ones who suffer the most.

Whenever I see the sweat-covered bodies of rickshaw pullers, I feel great sympathy for them. Sometimes, when my driver is unavailable on holidays, I ride a rickshaw and give them tips. When I see their smiling faces, it gives me immense joy. But their struggle make me sad when they paddle rickshaw under the scorching sun. The other day, an advocate I know, Siratul Jannat Shopna, told me that most rooms in our district courts do not have air conditioning. In such extreme heat, many lawyers become ill and even die from heat stroke during summer while wearing black coats. Hearing this made me very sad. I wondered why people must wear thick black coats designed by the British in such unbearable heat. Why should clothing meant for cold countries be worn in this warm climate? Why should these professionals suffer in winter clothing while working in extreme heat? Does the government not have funds to install air conditioners?

Without air conditioning, lawyers, judges, and others become ill from remaining in hot rooms. Plaintiffs and defendants who spend days seeking justice eventually become exhausted from the heat and sunlight and give up pursuing justice. Repeated travel in such weather damages their health. The cost of transportation and the lack of proper food throughout the day further worsen their condition. The situation becomes so difficult that many eventually stop coming to seek justice. Environmental pollution, meaning rising temperatures, is partly responsible for this. 

Those who work in extreme heat, sweating under high temperatures and humidity�"such as farmers, rickshaw pullers, construction workers, garment workers, and people working in open fields�"face multiple serious physical and mental health impacts. Prolonged exposure to such conditions can lead to heat stroke, where the body temperature rises to dangerous levels and may even become life-threatening. Excessive sweating also causes dehydration, as the body loses a large amount of water and essential salts. This results in weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and sometimes fainting due to low blood pressure. Continuous exposure to heat and sweat mixed with dust can also cause skin problems, rashes, and infections. In severe cases, long-term dehydration places significant stress on the kidneys and may lead to kidney-related complications.

Over time, working in such harsh conditions increases the risk of chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular strain and kidney disease. When combined with environmental pollution, it can also worsen respiratory problems. Beyond physical health, extreme heat significantly reduces productivity and work efficiency, as people become easily exhausted and more prone to mistakes and accidents, which in turn affects their income. Mental health is also affected, as constant discomfort, fatigue, and stress can lead to irritability, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Gradually, these conditions reduce overall quality of life, limiting rest, disrupting sleep, and reducing time spent with family, ultimately deepening poverty and hardship for already vulnerable communities.

We all know that global warming causes devastating damage to agriculture. Millions of people in Bangladesh depend on agriculture. Yet excessive heat, irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, sudden floods, and other climate-related events are severely damaging crop production on a regular basis. As a result, farmers are becoming poorer and poorer. Who is responsible for these? Those polluting countries.

River erosion and displacement are major problems in our country, forcing people from their homes. Every year, thousands of families lose their homes and homesteads to rivers. Displaced and helpless people move toward cities. They become climate refugees and continue their lives in poverty and hardship. Who is responsible for this? Those polluting countries.

Sea levels in the Bay of Bengal are rising because polar ice is melting due to global warming, and its effects are being felt along the coast of Bangladesh. As a result, people are losing land, shortages of safe drinking water are increasing, agricultural land is becoming saline and gradually unsuitable for cultivation, and the lives of coastal communities are becoming increasingly risky. Who is responsible for this? Those air-polluting countries.

Countries like ours are struggling to achieve development because people are increasingly exposed to health risks. These health risks are growing because of climate change. Dengue outbreaks are increasing and causing many deaths. Diarrhea and dehydration are increasing due to extreme heat. Malnutrition is rising. Respiratory diseases are spreading from household to household. Mental stress and anxiety are increasing among large numbers of people. Who is responsible for these problems? Those who are polluting the air.

Many of us know that sweet and inspiring words are often spoken at United Nations climate conferences. Discussions about human rights, equality, compensation, and healing the wounds of the world are common there. In reality, however, much of this has become cheap rhetoric. But have they truly provided compensation? United Nations climate conferences have repeatedly acknowledged that climate-affected countries must be supported. In particular, decisions have been made regarding climate finance, adaptation funds, and loss-and-damage funds. The basic idea is that those who have polluted the most should stand beside the countries suffering from climate change and provide financial assistance.

But in reality, financing remains extremely inadequate compared to actual needs. One could say it exists only in name. Bangladesh and many other countries believe that a large gap still remains between promises and reality. So why this farce? Why such disregard? Why should they cause us so much destruction? Why should we pay the price for crimes committed by others?

I do not know whether my writing will ever reach our policymakers of Bangladesh. Nevertheless, I place before the Government of Bangladesh the rightful claim of those in my country who have suffered because of environmental degradation, so that they may raise this demand before the world. I earnestly appeal to our government that Bangladesh should demand compensation from the powerful nations of the world. Bangladesh should not ask for sympathy. Bangladesh seeks justice. Because Bangladesh did not create this crisis. Bangladesh has contributed relatively little to pollution. Yet Bangladesh is one of the countries suffering the greatest losses.

Therefore, climate finance and loss-and-damage funds are regarded by many as a moral, humanitarian, and international responsibility. Responsibility for global warming primarily lies with a development model that ignored the limits of nature and accumulated enormous amounts of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere over centuries. Today, climate-vulnerable Bangladesh is paying the price for that history. Therefore, a moral question now stands before the world: Will those who heated the Earth also take responsibility for healing its wounds? Will those who enjoyed the benefits of development stand beside the people who have suffered? Will climate justice remain confined to conference speeches, or will it become effective through real assistance, compensation, and fair financing?

The answers to these questions will determine how just, humane, and sustainable the future world will be. The Government of Bangladesh will surely understand this issue and raise its voice before the world. That is my expectation from the current government. I am an ordinary person. I have no power. But the Government of Bangladesh does have the power to raise its voice. Therefore, I remain hopeful that the government will accept this appeal from a small social worker like me.