“4th Global Summit on Advances in Earth Science and Climate Change” was held in Berlin, Germany on September 29-30 with about 70 researchers, environmentalists, teachers, donor agencies and entrepreneurs from 35 countries of the world.

The main theme of the conference was “Earth’s Future: Harnessing Science, Technology, and Equity for a Sustainable Planet.” . Invited as a Distinguished Speaker at this conference, Presidency University Professor and Chairman of the Business Department Dr. Mohammad Julfikar Ali highlighted the life struggles and health crises of coastal women in Bangladesh due to climate change.

At the beginning of his speech, he showed a video titled Beautiful Bangladesh, made about the natural beauty of Bangladesh, which caught the attention of the teachers, researchers and everyone present.

Women in the coastal region of Bangladesh are silently fighting an invisible crisis. Climate change, saltwater intrusion and poverty are severely disrupting their normal rhythm of life. However, global warming and the silent role of developed countries are responsible for this crisis.
Highlighting the health crisis of coastal women in Bangladesh at an international conference in Berlin, he also said – the rich countries of the world are responsible for this problem, so they must take responsibility.

Women in the coastal region of Bangladesh are silently fighting an invisible crisis that still remains hidden from the eyes of researchers working on the climate of the outside world. Climate change, saltwater intrusion and poverty are severely disrupting their normal rhythm of life.

Professor Ali’s discussion brought up the silent health struggle of women in the coastal region. Lack of clean water due to saltwater is seriously affecting menstrual health. Many women are forced to use saltwater, which is causing uterine diseases and physical pain. Again, due to poverty and lack of sanitary napkins, girls are using contraceptive pills to stop menstruation from the age of just twelve. This poses long-term dangers not only to physical but also to mental and reproductive health.

In Bangladesh, climate change is usually discussed more in connection with crops, agriculture or river erosion. But how women’s bodies and dignity are collapsing under the pressure of this change has not yet been discussed enough. Professor Ali has presented the story of that silent suffering to the world in his concept paper.

According to environmental experts, this crisis in coastal areas is not only a question of health, but also of women’s rights, security and social status. Therefore, combating climate change is not limited to protecting the environment or ecosystem, it is having a serious detrimental impact on women’s lives, health and reproductive capacity.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Julfikar Ali has been active in the higher education and research arena in Bangladesh for two decades. He has written 10 books so far and has published more than 40 articles in internationally renowned journals.
He was associated with two other prominent international researchers, including Professor D. Mohiuddin of Laval University, Quebec, Canada, on the editorial panel of the book “Leadership Studies in the Turbulent Business Ecosystem” published in London. His research is particularly well-known in Authentic Leadership, Digital Marketing and Customer Relationship Management.

At the international level, he has also presented research papers at conferences in several countries, including Switzerland, France, Poland, Turkey, China, United Arab Emirates, Thailand and India.

In 2023, he received the Bengali Literary Award and the Asian Education Award (Bangkok) for his literary work. His notable motivational books are – Stress Management, Irutar Pocket Money, Legend’s Silent Treasure, and for students and job seekers – Success’s First Lesson and Success’s Second Lesson. In addition, D. Ali has written three short story books – Labani Point, Lowe, and Upekkha, and has published an extraordinary novel – Abhishap.

According to experts, Professor Ali’s research proves that the impact of climate change is not limited to agriculture or infrastructure, but is also deeply linked to women’s health, rights, and social status. His presentation will open new horizons for Bangladesh in the international research arena.