A virtual workshop titled "Building a Climate-Resilient Bangladesh: Nature-Based Solutions for a Sustainable Future" was held recently to raise young people's awareness of the challenges of climate change and spread the idea of nature-friendly solutions. Organised by Earthhoppers, it was the fourth episode of its series "Roots and Roots by Earthhoppers – Learning for the Earth".

The session, held on Google Meet on 13 September, had as its keynote speaker Abid Hasan, a field research officer at the Center for Natural Resource Center and an adviser to Earthhoppers. He presented the idea of nature-based solutions to the young participants.

He said these solutions are not new techniques but a way of protecting the environment by using its own processes.

Abid Hasan explained that nature-based solutions (NbS) are actions that help conserve, sustainably manage and restore the environment while ensuring human well-being. Stressing the importance of small changes, he said eco-friendly practices such as planting murta along riverbanks, using bamboo to control currents and placing blocks along the seashore can play an effective part in preventing river and soil erosion. Such measures not only protect the environment but also bring positive socio-economic and economic change. Innovative approaches such as floodplain agriculture, mixed agroforestry, wetland conservation and urban green infrastructure also help maintain environmental balance.

Adib, a student at Begum Rokeya University who took part, said the session had shown him very informatively that simply by changing the way we think we can take many effective steps for the environment and the planet.

Zarin Tasnim, founder and president of Earthhoppers, said the event had inspired young people to change their thinking about the environment and become responsible, which would help protect life, nature and the environment and build a sustainable Bangladesh and a just transition.

The workshop was supported by Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI), with Re-Earth Club–BRUR and GSTU Earth Club as organising partners.

Earthhoppers organised the event to build university students' critical thinking on scientific environmental terms and teach effective climate action. About 90 participants, students from more than 15 universities across Bangladesh, are taking part online. The month-long online workshop will run until October.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.