People need clean air, water, soil; not polished houses or cars for survival

Syeda Rizwana Hasan,

Dhaka, January 23: Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said survival of people depend on air, water, and soil—not on polished houses or luxurious cars. Despite having polluted air quality and heavily polluted rivers, it is never too late to start the process of restoration. Change begins with each of us. Instead of asking why banned polythene bags are still in the market, ask yourself why you are still using them. Single-use plastics take hundreds of years to decompose and ultimately re-enter our food chain as harmful microplastics. 

The Environment Advisor said this while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of the first Bangladesh qualifier of the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition (Stetson IEMCC) 2024-2025 held in Dhaka today. The event, hosted by the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), witnessed enthusiastic participation from students representing 34 universities across the country.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan urged the participants to reconsider everyday habits, such as unnecessary honking, which contributes to noise pollution. Even in a bustling city like Dhaka, it is possible to drive without honking if we are mindful, she noted. Reflecting on the pressing environmental challenges of today, she called upon the younger generation to not repeat the mistakes of their predecessors. Embrace sustainable practices, respect nature, and redesign development models to prioritize environmental balance, she advised.

Expressing her delight at the event’s inclusivity, Rizwana Hasan said, “I am glad to see gender balance among participants, with an equal number of men and women. I hope this moot court competition inspires you to explore more opportunities like this and prepare for a world that demands meaningful action to combat environmental issues. 

The Advisor highlighted the significance of environmental advocacy, stating, Environmental advocates can practice law, engage with communities, and serve people in impactful ways. Events like this not only develop your legal acumen but also instill a sense of responsibility towards the planet.

The Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition, renowned for promoting environmental law education globally, aims to equip aspiring lawyers with the tools to address critical environmental issues through advocacy and legal reasoning.

The inaugural ceremony concluded with a call to action for young minds to champion sustainability and contribute to a greener, more resilient future. – PID Handout