Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, Coast Trust Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and study team members Mahmud Selim, Atiqul Islam Chowdhury and Shamsuzoha made this call.

They pointed out that 32 percent of the territories is coastal area with about 2400km coastline which will be worst hit by the sea-level rise as well as other impacts of the climate changes making millions of people climate refugees by permanently inundating 10 to 17 percent of the landmass and intrusion of salinity into the mainland.

They warned that the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest and a World Heritage site, will be lost to the sea, if not taken any protective measures like afforestation along the coast and building of coastal embankment and cross dams, river training and halting erosions and planting of cyclonic wind-resistant trees like coconut, palm and bamboos.

The study team of the Coast Trust in their presentations also cited how Bhola, Kutubdia and a number of other off-shore islands along the coast are facing enormous erosion since 1960's and said they are now at risk because of the possible adverse impacts of the sea-level rise.

They suggested actions for sharpening of climate diplomacy in the international negotiation table.

They underscored the need for initiating climate change related research and massive campaign for raising awareness among the people including farmers, fishermen and community across coastal Bangladesh.