Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has called on all universities in Bangladesh to declare their campuses plastic-free. Speaking virtually at an event organized by Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology on sustainable marine environments, she emphasized that student involvement, awareness campaigns, and accessible alternatives are key to achieving this goal. Hasan noted that reducing single-use plastic requires long-term institutional commitment and behavioral change among consumers. She highlighted that plastic dependency stems from misconceptions about convenience and cost, while its hidden environmental price is significant. Hasan also warned that recycling, though popular, is energy-intensive and chemically complex. She urged prioritizing reduced plastic use, promoting reusable products, and ensuring producer responsibility. Expressing concern over the Bay of Bengal being the ninth most plastic-polluted marine region, she attributed it to poor waste management and upstream waste flow rather than excessive domestic use.

Thousands of residents in northern Tehran gathered at Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque on Friday, November 14, to pray for rain as Iran faces one of its worst droughts in decades. Local officials reported that rainfall in the capital has dropped to its lowest level in a century, with half of the country’s provinces experiencing months without precipitation. The government has begun rationing water supplies for Tehran’s 10 million residents, implementing periodic shutdowns to conserve resources. President Masoud Pezeshkian recently warned that if rain does not arrive before winter, authorities might need to consider relocating residents, though officials later clarified he intended only to highlight the severity of the situation. Five major dams supplying Tehran are nearly empty, with one completely dry and another below 8% capacity. Nationwide, rainfall this year has reached only 152 millimeters—40% below the 57-year average—raising fears of worsening water shortages across Iran.

The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, has faced significant logistical and financial challenges, preventing many delegates from smaller, low-budget nations from attending. Accommodation shortages and skyrocketing hotel prices, reaching up to $60,000 for ten nights, have made participation unaffordable for numerous representatives. Some attendees have been forced to stay more than an hour away from the main venue. To address the shortage, a floating community housing project, known locally as 'Vila da Barca', was created to host around 200 young participants. The absence of several world leaders and senior officials, particularly from major countries, has further reduced attendance. Observers note that the combination of high travel expenses, infrastructure limitations, and declining political engagement has dampened the scale of this year’s global climate gathering.

In Brazil’s Amazonian port city of Belém, around 50,000 visitors have arrived for the UN Climate Conference (COP30), overwhelming the city’s limited hotel capacity of 18,000 rooms. To address the accommodation crisis, the Brazilian government converted two large cruise ships, Costa Diadema and MSC Seaview, into floating hotels anchored at the newly built Outeiro Cruise Terminal. Together, they provide about 4,000 additional rooms for over 10,000 guests. The $45 million terminal upgrade also improved local infrastructure. However, environmentalists criticized the use of diesel-powered ships for a climate summit, citing high fuel consumption and carbon emissions. While some attendees appreciate the unique experience, others complain about small cabins and long commutes to the conference venue. Despite the controversy, the floating hotels remain the only viable solution for the city’s accommodation shortage during the event.

Winter has started to settle across Bangladesh, with the lowest temperature recorded at 14°C in Tetulia, Panchagarh, on Friday, November 14. According to the Bangladesh Weather Observatory Team (BWOT), if sea conditions remain stable, the country's first cold wave of the season is expected in December. Although cooler weather will be felt nationwide before then, temperatures are unlikely to drop enough to trigger a cold wave. The BWOT noted that the current mild chill will persist throughout November, allowing people to enjoy a pleasant, crisp atmosphere before the onset of harsher winter conditions next month.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the country's weather will remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies over the next five days. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge is currently extending over West Bengal and adjacent areas, while the seasonal low lies over the South Bay of Bengal, stretching northward. According to daily forecasts from Friday through Tuesday, no significant rainfall is expected across the country. Temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged for the first two days, with a slight rise expected from Sunday onward. Night temperatures may increase slightly by Tuesday, while daytime temperatures are expected to remain steady. The overall weather pattern suggests stable and dry conditions across Bangladesh during this period.

In Valuka upazila of Mymensingh, Bangladesh, over 336 acres of farmland have remained uncultivated for more than 15 years due to severe water pollution from nearby textile dyeing factories. Farmers report that toxic waste from the Multazim and Experience Textile Mills has contaminated local wetlands, killing crops and aquatic life, and causing skin diseases among residents. A government investigation confirmed the damage, estimating total losses at around Tk 332.8 million and recommending that 25% of compensation be paid by Multazim Mill and 75% by Experience Mill. However, the factories have yet to pay. Despite multiple hearings and fines by the Department of Environment, pollution persists, leaving farmers unable to grow rice or access safe water. Local authorities say discussions with mill owners are ongoing to find a solution.

In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila, over 336 acres of farmland have remained uncultivated for more than 15 years due to severe water pollution caused by industrial waste from nearby textile and dyeing factories, including Multazim Mill and Experience Textile Mill. Farmers report that the contaminated water has destroyed crops, killed aquatic life, and caused skin diseases. A government investigation confirmed the damage, estimating total losses at around Tk 33.28 crore, and recommended that the two mills compensate affected farmers. However, the factories have yet to pay. Local authorities say discussions with mill management are ongoing, while environmental officials note that the mills’ effluent treatment capacity is inadequate and waste is being discharged indiscriminately into nearby water bodies.

New research from William & Mary graduate student Bryce Donaghue suggests that solar farms can support local ecosystems if managed with biodiversity in mind. Donaghue studied bat activity around solar panels and found that vegetation supporting pollinators attracted more insects, which in turn drew bats to feed. Traditional solar farms often have cleared or turf-covered land, limiting insect and bat activity. However, Donaghue’s preliminary data, based on over 70,000 sound recordings, indicate that pollinator-friendly habitats under and around solar panels increase bat presence. The findings could reshape how renewable energy developers design and maintain solar farms, turning them into dual-purpose sites that generate clean energy while supporting wildlife. The study highlights the potential for solar infrastructure to coexist with and even enhance local flora and fauna.

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has issued warnings for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, flash floods, and hail expected to hit several regions over the weekend. The most intense weather is forecast for Jazan, while Asir, Al Baha, and Mecca will experience moderate to heavy thunderstorms. Lighter rain is expected in Najran, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Medina. Strong surface winds and dust storms may reduce visibility, and fog could develop overnight in southwestern and eastern areas. Maritime conditions are also set to worsen, with waves reaching up to 2.5 meters in the southern Red Sea and 1.5 meters in the Arabian Gulf. Authorities have urged residents to stay alert, avoid flood-prone zones, and follow official weather updates as unstable seasonal patterns persist.

A sharp drop in temperature has gripped Panchagarh district in northern Bangladesh, with the Tetulia weather station recording a minimum of 13.4°C early Thursday and humidity at 99%. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that a cold wave is likely to hit the region by the end of November as cold Himalayan winds continue to lower temperatures. Local laborers working outdoors, particularly those engaged in sand extraction from the Karatoa River, are struggling to cope with the biting cold. Residents report dense fog in the early mornings and freezing conditions until sunrise, with only slight relief during the day. Meteorologist Jitendranath Roy confirmed that temperatures have been steadily declining over recent days, signaling the onset of the season’s first cold wave.

Dhaka’s air quality has once again deteriorated to an “unhealthy” level, according to global air monitoring agency IQAir. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday (October 8), the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 145, ranking fourth among the world’s most polluted cities. Egypt’s Cairo topped the list with a score of 185, followed by Manama in Bahrain (183) and Kolkata in India (177). Although recent rainfall had temporarily improved air conditions in Dhaka, pollution levels have risen again due to ongoing urban and environmental factors. AQI scores between 151 and 200 are considered “unhealthy,” particularly affecting children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around seven million people die globally each year due to air pollution-related diseases, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses.

From October 4 midnight to October 25, the government has imposed a strict 22-day ban on hilsa fishing across rivers and seas in Bangladesh to safeguard the prime breeding season. The prohibition covers not only catching hilsa but also the trading, transportation, storage, and marketing of all types of fish. Fishermen in Kuakata, Mahipur, and Alipur have secured their trawlers and plan to carry out necessary repairs during the ban. Each registered fisherman will receive 25 kilograms of VGF rice for sustenance. Authorities have announced strict monitoring through coordinated drives involving the fisheries department, administration, coast guard, naval police, RAB, and army. In Lakshmipur, more than 34,000 registered fishermen in Kamalnagar and Ramgati will face unemployment during the ban. The government has declared a 100-kilometer stretch of the Meghna River as a hilsa sanctuary, with drones deployed for surveillance to ensure full compliance.

At a high-level ministerial roundtable in Jeju, South Korea, Bangladesh’s Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan urged for global unity in sustainable plastic management. She emphasized collaborative efforts for carbon-neutral and zero-carbon development to combat climate change. Bangladesh expressed interest in partnerships on waste management, forest rehabilitation, and wildlife conservation. Rizwana Hasan also held bilateral meetings with South Korean officials and joined sessions on the Green Transition Initiative and plastic policy. The Korean side showed interest in long-term cooperation for a livable future.

Japan will provide a $5.45 million grant to help Bangladesh monitor air pollution. Representatives from both governments signed an agreement, with Bangladesh’s ERD Secretary, Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi, and JICA’s Chief Representative Ichiguchi Tomohide as signatories. The Environment Ministry will implement the project from March 2025 to June 2028. It aims to measure and analyze air pollution, particularly vehicle emissions. Continuous air monitoring stations will be set up in Dhaka and Chattogram to track pollution levels.